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Saudi Arabia has committed over SAR 100 billion to education and training as part of Vision 2030.
A key focus is bringing in more private sector expertise across technical, vocational and corporate learning. There’s steady demand across Saudi Arabia for language instruction, practical skills courses, and training in areas like finance, digital tools and business management. For experienced providers, it’s a market with room to grow.
This guide walks through the key steps to setting up an education or training company in Saudi Arabia, including what licences you may need and how the process works in practice.
Choose your model and focus
Start by deciding what kind of training you want to offer. This might be a private learning centre, tailored corporate programmes, a digital learning platform or a niche subject such as coding or soft skills. Language and tech-based programmes are in demand, along with vocational and job-readiness training.
Some activities fall under regulation, others don’t. If your courses involve certified instructors or lead to a recognised qualification, you’ll likely need approval from the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC). For short, non-accredited sessions or company workshops, a standard commercial licence may be enough. Sorting this out early helps avoid delays later.
Get MISA approval for foreign ownership
If you plan to own the business outright, you’ll need a foreign investment licence from the Ministry of Investment (MISA). This is the entry point for international companies and individuals setting up in Saudi Arabia. The application requires a business plan, details of your intended activity and proof of capital. Once approved, MISA will issue an investment licence that lets you proceed with commercial registration. Timing varies, but most approvals come through within a few weeks. Without MISA approval, you’ll need a Saudi partner who holds at least 25% of the business under current rules.
Apply for a commercial registration (CR)
Once MISA approval is granted, you’ll register the business with the Ministry of Commerce. This includes choosing a company name and applying for a Commercial Registration (CR), which confirms your legal status.
Most foreign-owned training firms set up as limited liability companies (LLCs), although other formats exist. You’ll need to select the right activity code from the ISIC list based on your service offering. A local office address is also required and must match the registration details.
Obtain TVTC licensing if required
If your business offers vocational training or regulated instruction, you’ll need a licence from the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC). This applies to in-person centres and many e-learning platforms, especially those offering certificates or structured programmes. The application process includes submitting course outlines, trainer CVs and a full plan of the facility. TVTC reviews the content, checks trainer qualifications, and may carry out a site visit before approval. Instructors must meet certain standards, including relevant degrees or proven work experience in the field. Online platforms may need to show how content is delivered, how learners are assessed and how records are kept. Licensing timeframes can vary, so it helps to keep your documents well organised and ready to submit when required.
Final setup tasks before operations begin
With the main approvals in place, a few final steps remain. Apply for a municipality licence to legally operate your site and register with the local Chamber of Commerce. If you expect to cross the VAT threshold, you’ll also need to register with ZATCA.
Other essentials include getting company documents stamped, opening a corporate bank account and completing any required translations or attestations. Most of this runs in parallel during the final setup phase.
Hiring, Saudisation, and visas
Staffing a training business in Saudi comes with some fixed rules. Nitaqat quotas apply once you go beyond five employees, and certain jobs like reception and admin are often reserved for Saudi nationals. For trainers, you’ll need to show credentials upfront, usually a degree and some experience in the subject area. If you’re bringing in foreign staff, make sure their qualifications match both visa criteria and any licensing checks. TVTC approval may also be needed on a case-by-case basis. Most centres start small, with five to ten employees, depending on how many courses or training rooms are in use.
Outlook and demand areas
There’s strong momentum around upskilling across Saudi Arabia, driven by both government schemes and business demand. Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam are seeing the highest activity, especially in fields like tech, finance, logistics and service delivery. Companies are investing more in training, often in partnership with local or national programmes. Remote learning is now widely accepted, particularly for adult learners and corporate teams. Edtech providers and course operators offering flexible formats are well placed to meet this shift. There’s also room to plug into public initiatives, either through direct contracts or as an approved private partner.
With demand growing and entry points expanding, now is a great time to enter this market and build a presence in one of the Kingdom’s fastest growing sectors.
How can The Knightsbridge Group help?
With more than ten years of experience supporting international companies across the Gulf, we help clients set up and run their operations in Saudi Arabia with clarity and confidence.
We manage the full process, from MISA licensing and commercial registration to TVTC approvals, Saudisation planning, office setup and visa support. Our team also advises education and training firms on how to structure their operations clearly, meet local rules, and stay practical about compliance.
To speak with us about launching a training or education business in Saudi Arabia, or to get help with any part of the setup, email us at [email protected].