Documents financiers ask restaurant owners for

This is general information, not financial or legal advice.

How to use this list

The list describes what is usually asked, not a legal requirement. Each bank or financier sets its own list, assesses the application under its own policy, and makes the approval decision. Ask the financier for its current list before you collect papers. We did not find a single list of financing documents on the home page of the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at).

Papers that prove the business exists

• The owner's national ID or residence permit, or the articles of association if the business is a partnership.
• A valid commercial registration.
• The national address.
• The VAT registration certificate, if the business is registered for VAT.

Kafalah's official FAQ lists these among the documents financiers usually ask for. It also lists a valid municipal commercial permit for the activity, covered in the next section.

Papers that prove the premises are permitted

When you obtain the commercial permit through Balady, the platform asks for the items below, and a financier may ask for copies:

• An exterior photo of the shop that clearly shows the signboard.
• A lease agreement, ownership deed, or investment contract issued by the municipality or another government entity.
• A copy of the building permit.
• A safety equipment invoice or a safety report from Civil Defense, for activities that qualify for instant approval.
• A sanitation contract, which is optional depending on the contract type and activity.

The Balady page lists a service duration of 10 days and says Civil Defense fees are separate from the main municipal invoice and are calculated only where they apply.

Some financiers may ask for papers that the official lists we read do not name, so ask the financier for its list.

Papers that may show money coming in

• The business bank account statements.
• Sales reports from the point-of-sale system.
• Statements or the sales dashboard from the delivery apps.

The Kafalah list and the bank page we read do not name bank statements or sales reports among the required documents, and they give no number of months, so we publish no number. Some financiers may ask for them, so ask which period it wants and download the statements for that full period. Keep personal and business transactions in separate accounts so the sales are easy to see.

Financial statements and tax papers

Kafalah's official page says financiers usually ask for financial statements, social insurance, zakat and tax, and Saudization certificates, and the VAT registration certificate. One Saudi bank's own Kafalah page asks for audited financial statements for the past three years. That is that bank's requirement, not a general rule, and other financiers may ask for a different period.

If your restaurant is new or has thin records

A business that has just started may have no financial statements. The suggestions below are practical, not a requirement of any financier, and approval is the financier's decision:

• A short business plan.
• A simple sales forecast for the coming months.
• The lease and the equipment list.
• The owner's personal bank statement history.

Support programmes

Under Kafalah, the business gives its documents to the financier first, and the financier asks Kafalah for a guarantee if it decides it needs one. Kafalah is a guarantee given to the lender, not a loan to the merchant, and the pages we read do not say whether the financier also asks for other guarantees. Ask the financier for current terms.

Printable checklist

• Document: Owner's ID or articles of association
• What it shows: Who owns the business
• Where it comes from: The owner
• Is it asked: On Kafalah's list

• Document: Commercial registration
• What it shows: The business exists
• Where it comes from: Ministry of Commerce
• Is it asked: On Kafalah's list

• Document: National address
• What it shows: Where the business is
• Where it comes from: The body that issues national addresses
• Is it asked: On Kafalah's list

• Document: Municipal commercial permit
• What it shows: The premises are permitted
• Where it comes from: Balady
• Is it asked: On Kafalah's list

• Document: Lease or ownership deed
• What it shows: Right to use the premises
• Where it comes from: Landlord or owning body
• Is it asked: Needed for the Balady permit

• Document: Civil Defense safety invoice or report
• What it shows: Safety requirements met
• Where it comes from: Civil Defense
• Is it asked: Needed in Balady for instant approval activities

• Document: Social insurance, zakat and tax, Saudization certificates
• What it shows: Legal compliance
• Where it comes from: The body issuing each
• Is it asked: On Kafalah's list

• Document: VAT registration certificate
• What it shows: Registered for VAT
• Where it comes from: ZATCA
• Is it asked: On Kafalah's list

• Document: Financial statements
• What it shows: Financial performance
• Where it comes from: Your accountant
• Is it asked: On Kafalah's list; the period varies

• Document: Bank statements
• What it shows: Money coming in
• Where it comes from: Your bank
• Is it asked: Not on the lists we read; some may ask

• Document: POS and app reports
• What it shows: Sales volume
• Where it comes from: The system or app
• Is it asked: Not on the lists we read; some may ask

Saleaah (سلعة)

Saleaah (سلعة) reviews your sales history on the apps, we deduct your financing from your next payout, and no other collateral is needed.

Independence

This guide is not affiliated with or endorsed by the bodies, providers or apps named in it. To suggest a correction: info@saleaah.com or WhatsApp +966550449156.