Saudi Arabia Legal Services
for US Companies
& American Investors
We advise American companies and US-based investors on the full legal process of entering the Saudi market — from MISA licensing and ownership structuring to commercial contracts, joint ventures, and dispute resolution under Saudi law.
US companies operating in Saudi Arabia face unique considerations — FCPA compliance, differences between US and Saudi contract law, and enforcement of US arbitral awards in Saudi courts. We bridge that legal gap.
The Largest US–Saudi Economic Partnership in History
The United States is Saudi Arabia's largest foreign investor, with FDI stock exceeding $62 billion and over 1,500 American companies currently operating in the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia is the US's largest trading partner in the Middle East, with bilateral goods trade totalling $25.9 billion in 2024.
In May 2025, President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced a $600 billion US–Saudi investment commitment — the largest bilateral economic agreement in history — spanning AI infrastructure, energy, defense, healthcare, and finance. A further $267 billion in new deals was signed at the US–Saudi Investment Forum in Washington in November 2025, bringing cumulative agreements to over $575 billion.
Over 215 US companies have established regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia through the Kingdom's Regional Headquarters Program — the largest national contingent of any country. For US companies, Saudi Arabia is no longer a frontier market. It is a strategic priority.
The legal layer — ownership structuring, MISA licensing, contracts, compliance, and dispute resolution — is where American companies need local Saudi legal expertise. That is what we provide.
Speak with a Saudi lawyerWhere US Companies Are Winning in Saudi Arabia
The $600B+ US–Saudi partnership spans six core sectors — each requiring distinct legal structures, contracts, and compliance frameworks that we help US companies navigate.
AI, Cloud & Data Infrastructure
Saudi Arabia is investing billions in AI data centers and cloud infrastructure. US firms like Nvidia, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are anchoring the Kingdom's digital transformation.
- HUMAIN AI data center licensing agreements
- Cloud services contracts with government entities
- Technology transfer and IP protection structures
- Cybersecurity services and data localization compliance
Energy — Oil, Gas & Renewables
US energy majors have a decades-long footprint in Saudi Arabia. New MoUs include Aramco collaborations with Honeywell, ExxonMobil, and MidOcean Energy on LNG, refining, and clean energy.
- EPC contract structuring with Aramco and SABIC
- Joint venture agreements for refinery projects
- Licensing agreements for US energy technology
- Environmental compliance and regulatory matters
Defense & Aerospace
The US–Saudi Strategic Defence Agreement opens new avenues for technology transfer, joint programs, and US defense contractor operations requiring careful legal structuring.
- Offset and localization agreement compliance
- Government contract review under Saudi procurement law
- ITAR and export control alignment with Saudi obligations
- Joint ventures with Saudi defense entities
Construction & Infrastructure
NEOM, Diriyah, Red Sea Project and Vision 2030 giga-projects represent hundreds of billions in construction demand. US firms like AECOM and Jacobs are active in Saudi Arabia.
- EPC and design consultancy contracts
- Subcontractor agreement review and negotiation
- Payment disputes and FIDIC contract claims
- Saudization compliance for construction entities
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Saudi Arabia is expanding private healthcare significantly under Vision 2030. US hospitals, pharma companies, and medical device manufacturers are entering through licensing and JV structures.
- SFDA medical device and pharmaceutical licensing
- Hospital management agreements
- Distribution agreements and exclusivity terms
- IP protection for US pharma in Saudi Arabia
Finance, Fintech & Asset Management
US financial institutions, fintech companies, and fund managers are entering Saudi Arabia's rapidly modernizing capital markets — each requiring specific SAMA and CMA licensing.
- CMA and SAMA licensing for US financial entities
- Fund structuring and investment vehicle agreements
- Fintech regulatory sandbox applications
- Cross-border transaction and payment law
What Makes Saudi Law Different for US Companies
American companies cannot simply apply US legal frameworks to their Saudi operations. These are the four areas where US companies most commonly encounter unexpected legal exposure.
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act applies to all US companies and US-listed entities operating overseas, including Saudi Arabia. Business practices common in the Kingdom — including facilitation payments and agent compensation — require careful legal structuring to avoid FCPA exposure.
- Due diligence on Saudi agents, distributors, and intermediaries
- Structuring commercial agent agreements to be FCPA-compliant
- Government contract procedures and payment documentation
- Internal compliance policy alignment with Saudi commercial practice
Contracts drafted under US law — particularly Delaware or New York governing law — may not be enforceable in Saudi courts. Saudi contract law is rooted in Sharia principles, and certain US standard clauses (penalty interest, liquidated damages, some indemnity structures) require modification to be enforceable locally.
- Review of US-template contracts for Saudi enforceability
- Redrafting penalty, interest, and indemnity clauses
- Choice of governing law and dispute resolution clauses
- Arabic translation requirements for court enforcement
Saudi Arabia is a signatory to the New York Convention, meaning US arbitral awards can be enforced in Saudi courts — but the process has specific procedural requirements that must be followed precisely, and Saudi courts retain grounds to refuse enforcement.
- Drafting arbitration clauses that survive Saudi court review
- Choosing arbitral institutions recognized in Saudi Arabia (SCCA, ICC, LCIA)
- Filing procedures for enforcement of foreign awards in Saudi courts
- Grounds for refusal and how to pre-empt them contractually
US companies contracting with Saudi government entities are now required to establish a Regional Headquarters in Saudi Arabia. The RHQ Program offers significant incentives — including 10-year Saudization exemptions and 30-year tax breaks — but requires careful legal setup to qualify and maintain compliance.
- RHQ license application and MISA/RCRC requirements
- Qualifying activity structuring for tax incentive eligibility
- 20% corporate tax rate applicability and exemption strategies
- No US–Saudi double taxation treaty — planning implications
Legal Services Tailored for US Companies in Saudi Arabia
We provide the full legal layer that American companies need to enter, operate, and protect their interests in the Saudi market — with specific expertise in US–Saudi cross-border legal issues.
MISA Licensing for US Companies
We handle the full MISA foreign investment license process for US companies — including activity classification, ownership structure advice, documentation, and resolving MISA queries. We also advise on RHQ Program applications for US companies contracting with Saudi government entities.
Learn moreUS Contract Review & Saudi Adaptation
We review US-template commercial contracts and adapt them for Saudi enforceability — including governing law, interest and penalty clauses, arbitration provisions, and Arabic translation requirements. We also draft new agreements from scratch under Saudi law for US clients.
Learn moreJoint Ventures with Saudi Partners
We draft and negotiate JV agreements between US companies and Saudi partners — covering governance, profit distribution, exit mechanisms, and dispute resolution. We advise on ownership structures that protect US company interests while meeting Saudi regulatory requirements.
Learn moreArbitration & US Award Enforcement
We represent US companies in commercial disputes before Saudi courts and arbitral tribunals. We also advise on enforcing US arbitral awards in Saudi Arabia under the New York Convention — managing the procedural requirements and pre-empting grounds for refusal.
Learn moreFCPA-Aligned Compliance Structuring
We work with US companies to structure their Saudi operations, agent relationships, and commercial processes in a way that satisfies both Saudi commercial norms and US FCPA requirements — reducing dual-jurisdiction compliance risk from the outset.
Learn moreLocal Counsel for US Law Firms
We act as Saudi local counsel for US law firms handling cross-border matters — providing Saudi law opinions, document review, Arabic legal translation, court representation, and expert input on Saudi regulatory and commercial matters.
Get in touchReady to Enter the
Saudi Market?
Book a free 30-minute consultation with a Saudi lawyer who understands both US and Saudi legal frameworks. We advise American companies at every stage — from initial legal assessment through full market operation.
Remote consultations available. All information treated with strict confidentiality.
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