Can a non-Saudi person operate a Shopify store in Saudi Arabia?

Technical Q&A

Topic summary

A user asks whether a non-Saudi person working in Saudi Arabia can operate a Shopify store, specifically regarding domain requirements and e-commerce licensing.

Key Points Raised:

  • Whether a .com domain purchased in Pakistan can be used instead of the more expensive .sa domain
  • If a Saudi government e-commerce license is mandatory for operation
  • The store owner is currently working in Saudi Arabia

Responses Indicate:

  • Shopify staff clarified they cannot provide legal advice on visa/citizenship requirements and recommend consulting local Saudi authorities
  • Domains can generally be purchased from anywhere and connected to any store, barring legal restrictions
  • Community members suggest a .com domain is acceptable, though a .sa domain may help with localization
  • Critical requirement: The store owner in Saudi Arabia likely needs Commercial Registration from the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) to legally operate an e-commerce business
  • Consulting a legal expert familiar with Saudi business and e-commerce regulations is strongly recommended for full compliance
Summarized with AI on October 31. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

WHAT ARE THE REGULATIONS FOR NON-SAUDI PERSON (WHO IS THERE TO WORK )TO OPERATE SHOPIFY STORE IN SAUDI ARABIA ?

hi, I want to know if I can operate a Shopify store in Saudi Arabia which made in Saudi Arabia I will be using it as his VA so if I buy the domain in Pakistan and then on that domain can I operate a store in Saudi Arabia or I should get a domain name of (.sa) that is expensive or I can simply go with (.com ) domain and Saudi government also issues license for e-commerce business so in this situation I must have to purchase that license or I can operate my store without it? the store owner is in Saudi Arabia right now for work if you help me understand it i will be grateful

BEST REGARDS

2

Hi there, @Farhanahmed12 . Thank you for taking the time to reach out to the Shopify Community today with your question.

First, just to set some expectations, Shopify Support Staff are not legal experts. This means that we can’t advise on the legality of a non-SA citizen building a store on a Visa, or other government-related agreement. We recommend that you reach out to a local law authority with this specific question, so they can provide you some solid guidance on what is possible for you.

In terms of domains, a domain can be purchased from anywhere, and be connected or used with any store, as long as there are no legal reasons based on the regions that the domain is being purchased it or being used. Again, this is likely a good question to have for the local authorities, but in most cases, you wouldn’t run into issues with your domain.

In terms of a license provided by the Saudi government to operate an online business, this is again something you would want to speak to a local authority with, as you mentioned that you’re not a Saudi citizen. As much as we would like to provide you with information, if this is something the Saudi government requires, it’s best to direct questions about this to them.

3

To operate a Shopify store in Saudi Arabia, you can use a .com domain, but it’s important to ensure you comply with local regulations for e-commerce, including obtaining an e-commerce license from the Saudi government. A .sa domain isn’t strictly required unless you want to localize your business. Consulting with a legal expert to ensure full compliance with Saudi business and licensing law is highly recommended to avoid any legal issues.

4

Hi @Farhanahmed12 ,

Running a Shopify store in Saudi Arabia as a non-Saudi VA for an expat owner and the things involved: Shopify is a global platform which allows you to create an online store for someone residing in Saudi Arabia while working from Pakistan with ease using the .com domain extension thus eliminating the need for the expensive .sa domains that take up so much money and trouble.

What The Owner Must Do Legally: The person operating the shop and is based in KSA, chilling under some work visa, has to get Commercial Registration out of MOC otherwise he cannot sell anything which can be seen as his golden piece.