Form Q7b Saudi Arabia Free May 2026
| Q | A | |---|---| | Is there any fee for the Q7B form itself? | No. The form and its online upload are free. Only processing or licence fees apply after approval. | | Can I submit a Q7B for more than one Free‑Zone at a time? | Each submission must target a single Free‑Zone. Submit separate Q7Bs for each zone. | | Do I need a Saudi sponsor? | Not for Free‑Zone licences; the zone itself provides the legal entity and sponsor functions. | | How long does the approval take? | Typically 10‑20 working days after a complete submission. Complex projects (e.g., heavy industry) may take longer due to environmental clearances. | | Can I amend the application after submission? | Yes, via the “Amend” button on the portal, provided the status is still “Under Review”. | | What if my passport expires during the review? | Submit a new passport copy immediately; the authority may pause the process until a valid passport is on file. | | Do I need to provide a Saudi bank account? | Only after the licence is granted (for fee payments, payroll, etc.). Not required for the Q7B stage. | | Is there a limit on the number of employees I can propose? | No explicit limit, but the Free‑Zone authority may request a feasibility study if the numbers are unusually high. | | Can the Q7B be submitted in English only? | No – Arabic is mandatory for all sections of the form and for attached documents. |
Whether physical or digital, the form includes:
This section covers the standing at the end of the reporting period.
| Section | What to Enter | Tips | |---|---|---| | A – Applicant Details | Full legal name, nationality, passport/CR number, contact information. | Use the exact spelling as in the passport/CR. | | B – Business Information | Proposed company name (Arabic & English), legal form, activity code (SIC), Free‑Zone name. | Double‑check the activity code against the Saudi Classification of Economic Activities (SCEA). | | C – Capital & Ownership | Total paid‑up capital, % foreign ownership, names of shareholders. | Add a footnote if capital is held in an escrow account. | | D – Project Description | 150‑word summary + 2‑page detailed description. | Highlight how the project aligns with Vision 2030 objectives (e.g., diversification, job creation). | | E – Employment Plan | Projected number of Saudi and expatriate employees for the first 3 years. | Include a table with job titles, qualifications, and salary bands. | | F – Environmental & Safety | Indicate whether an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) is required. | If “Yes”, attach a pre‑screening letter from the Saudi Ministry of Environment. | | G – Declaration & Signature | Read the legal disclaimer, type your name, and digitally sign. | Use a qualified electronic signature (e‑Signature) if submitting online. |
Pro tip: After completing each section, use the “Validate” button (if available) to catch missing mandatory fields before saving.
Form Q7B, officially known as the "Individual Establishment Fee Payment Acknowledgment" or more commonly referred to as the "Wage Protection System (WPS) Registration Form," is a mandatory document for employers in Saudi Arabia. It serves as official proof that an employer has registered their establishment with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) and has paid the necessary fees to activate the WPS.
The WPS is a government electronic system that ensures employees (particularly domestic workers and low-wage laborers) are paid their salaries on time and in full. Without a valid Form Q7B, a sponsor (Kafeel) cannot:
In essence, Form Q7B is the key that unlocks all other labor services in the Kingdom.
| Term | Meaning in Q7B Saudi Context | |------|------------------------------| | Form Q7B | Legacy term for a customs goods declaration; now digital in FASAH | | "Free" (duty) | Exempt from customs duties due to HS code, end use, or importer status | | "Free" (zone) | Goods in a special economic zone with suspended duties | | "Free" (cost) | The electronic declaration itself is not sold; service fees may apply |
Final Recommendation: If you are looking for a template or access to file a duty-free customs declaration in Saudi Arabia, do not search for a downloadable PDF "Form Q7B." Instead, log into ZATCA’s FASAH portal or hire a licensed customs broker. For duty exemption, verify your goods against the Saudi Unified Customs Tariff and apply for any necessary exemption certificates before shipping.
Form Q7B in Saudi Arabia is a specific document used primarily for tax purposes, specifically to claim benefits under Double Tax Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs). This form allows non-resident companies (such as those based in the UAE or other treaty countries) to apply for reduced Withholding Tax (WHT) rates at the source rather than paying full taxes and seeking a refund later. Key Purpose of Form Q7B
Form Q7B is the standard request form used by non-resident entities to prove their eligibility for tax relief.
Benefit at Source: It is used to apply reduced tax rates at the time of payment. form q7b saudi arabia free
DTAA Compliance: It ensures that cross-border transactions between Saudi Arabia and treaty partners (like the UAE-KSA treaty) follow agreed-upon tax limits.
Rate Reduction: For example, standard Saudi domestic WHT might be 5–15%, but a DTAA may reduce this to 0% for certain services. How to Access and Submit
The process has become significantly digital through the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA).
Online Portal: Taxpayers must typically apply for DTAA benefits through the ZATCA Electronic Portal.
Cost: Accessing the service through the official portal is generally free of charge (no service fees).
Timeline: Applications for DTAA benefits must generally be submitted within five years, or the transaction may be subject to a tax audit. Required Documentation
To successfully use Form Q7B or its digital equivalent, you usually need the following supporting documents:
Tax Residency Certificate (TRC): A certificate from the non-resident's home tax authority.
Form Q7C: A required undertaking by the resident taxpayer (the Saudi-based company).
Attestation: Documents must often be attested by the Saudi embassy in the non-resident's country or via an Apostille.
Contract Copies: Proof of the services provided and the relationship between the parties. Recent Changes (2025-2026)
While Form Q7B has historically been the primary method, recent ZATCA bulletins (January 2025) indicate a shift toward more flexible electronic submissions. | Q | A | |---|---| | Is
Flexible Formats: ZATCA now accepts various TRC formats from foreign authorities rather than forcing a strict "Form Q7B" format for residency proof.
Digital Integration: Most claims are now processed directly through the E-Services section of the ZATCA portal rather than physical paper forms.
If you are a business owner, you can find more information on the Official ZATCA website or use tax advisory platforms like KPMG Saudi Arabia for detailed technical guides.
💡 Pro Tip: Always ensure your Saudi partner has filed the Withholding Tax Return before submitting your DTAA claim to avoid payment delays or penalties.
Are you the payer (Saudi company) or the beneficiary (non-resident company)? Which country is the non-resident company based in?
What type of service (e.g., consulting, royalties, technical fees) is being paid for?
AI responses may include mistakes. For financial advice, consult a professional. Learn more
Form Q7/B is a specialized tax document used in Saudi Arabia
primarily to claim benefits under Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA). It serves as a Tax Residency Information form that allows non-resident entities to apply for reduced withholding tax (WHT) rates or exemptions on payments sourced within the Kingdom. Purpose and Function
Tax Relief: It is the key to unlocking lower tax rates (e.g., reducing a standard 5% or 15% WHT to 0% in some cases) for businesses operating cross-border, particularly between the UAE and KSA.
Benefit at Source: Filing this form allows the Saudi-based payer to apply the treaty rate immediately at the time of payment, rather than paying the full domestic rate and seeking a refund later.
Proof of Residency: It acts as formal evidence that the beneficiary is a tax resident of a country that has a valid treaty with Saudi Arabia. Key Requirements for Filing Whether physical or digital, the form includes: This
The process often requires coordination between the non-resident entity and the Saudi resident taxpayer:
Tax Residency Certificate (TRC): A valid TRC from the foreign tax authority (e.g., the UAE's Federal Tax Authority) must typically accompany the form.
Attestation: Documents usually need to be stamped by the foreign Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and attested by the Saudi Embassy in the non-resident's country.
Submission: The certified form and supporting documents are submitted to the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) in Saudi Arabia. Recent Digital Transitions
ZATCA Portal: While Form Q7/B has historically been the prescribed format, ZATCA has increasingly moved toward digital applications through its electronic portal.
Flexible Formats: Some recent guidance suggests ZATCA may now accept the standard tax residency certificate format of the foreign country in lieu of a strictly formatted Q7/B, provided it contains all required information.
Navigating Saudi labor laws can be daunting, but Form Q7B Saudi Arabia is one document you should never pay a middleman to obtain. The Ministry of Human Resources and the Qiwa platform have made it remarkably simple.
By following the free methods outlined above, you will save money, avoid fraud, and process your labor transactions faster. So the next time a typing center tells you, "Form Q7B is 150 riyals," smile, open your Qiwa app, and generate it yourself in under two minutes—absolutely free.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Government fees and procedures are subject to change. Always verify current requirements on the official Qiwa.sa or MHRSD.gov.sa websites.
This form is primarily used by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and is mandatory for certain entities receiving Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Kingdom.
Certain goods can be imported into Saudi Arabia free of customs duties:
In such cases, Form Q7B (or its digital equivalent) must still be filed, but the duty calculation field shows 0% or "exempt" under the tariff code.