Saudi Arabia SSIC Group 591: Motion picture, video and television program production activities

Saudi Standard Industrial Classification (SSIC 2026)
Classification Level: Group | Official Code: 591

Executive Summary & Classification Scope

SSIC code 591 designates Motion picture, video and television program production activities (أنشطة إنتاج الأفلام والفيديو والبرامج التلفزيونية) under the official Saudi Standard Industrial Classification (January 2025 / 2026 Edition, based on UN ISIC Rev. 4) administered by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

It serves as the mandatory regulatory benchmark for Commercial Registration (CR) with the Ministry of Commerce, MISA foreign investment licensing (allowing up to 100% foreign equity ownership), municipal permits on the Balady portal, and Nitaqat Saudization quota determinations by MHRSD.

Key Classification Facts

Parameter	Official Value
Saudi SSIC Code	`591`
Official Title (EN)	Motion picture, video and television program production activities
Official Title (AR)	أنشطة إنتاج الأفلام والفيديو والبرامج التلفزيونية
Classification Level	Group
Section Category	Section J — Information and Communication
Parent Entity Code	`59` — Motion picture, video and television programme production, sound recording and music publishing activities
Supervisory Authority	Ministry of Commerce / Standard Sectoral Regulator
Licensing Entity	Balady / Sector Ministry
Standard Custodian	General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT)
Edition / Version	SSIC 2025 / 2026 Edition

Sub-Classes in Group 591 (4)

Code	Title (EN)	Title (AR)	Details
`5911`	Motion picture, video and television program production activities	أنشطة إنتاج الأفلام والفيديو والبرامج التلفزيونية	View Code 5911 →
`5912`	Motion picture, video and television program post-production activities	أنشطة ما بعد الإنتاج لأفلام السينما وأفلام الفيديو والبرامج التلفزيونية	View Code 5912 →
`5913`	Motion picture, video and television program distribution activities	أنشطة توزيع الأفلام السينمائية والفيديو والبرامج التلفزيونية	View Code 5913 →
`5914`	Motion picture projection activities	أنشطة عرض الأفلام السينمائية	View Code 5914 →

Official 6-Digit Activity Codes in Group 591 (16 Codes)

Below are official economic activity codes registered under Group 591 for Commercial Registration (CR) and municipal licensing in Saudi Arabia:

6-Digit SSIC Code	Official Activity Title (EN)	Official Activity Title (AR)	Details
`591101`	production of motion pictures (including traditional animation)	انتاج افلام سينمائية ، يشمل الرسوم المتحركة التقليدية	View Activity 591101 →
`591102`	video programs	افلام وبرامج الفيديو	View Activity 591102 →
`591103`	television programs	برامج تلفزيونية	View Activity 591103 →
`591104`	production of television commercials	انتاج اعلانات تجارية تلفزيونية	View Activity 591104 →
`591105`	Operating an audio and video studio	تشغيل استوديو صوتي ومرئي	View Activity 591105 →
`591201`	Film Editing (including titling, subtitling, credits)	تحرير الافلام ، يشمل الترجمة والمونتاج ووضع العناوين	View Activity 591201 →
`591202`	Computer-produced graphics and animation	انتاج الرسومات والصور المتحركة بالحاسوب	View Activity 591202 →
`591203`	Special effects; developing and processing motion picture film	التأثيرات الخاصة وتطوير معالجة الافلام	View Activity 591203 →
`591311`	Distribution of films to exhibitors and television networks	توزيع الافلام على العارضون وشبكات التلفزيون	View Activity 591311 →
`591312`	Distribution of videos to exhibitors and television networks	توزيع الفيديو على العارضون وشبكات التلفزيون	View Activity 591312 →
`591313`	Distribution of DVDs to exhibitors and television networks	توزيع أقراص الفيديو الرقمية على العارضون وشبكات التلفزيون	View Activity 591313 →
`591401`	Operation of fixed movie theaters	تشغيل دور السينما الثابتة	View Activity 591401 →
`591402`	activities of cine-clubs	أنشطة النوادي السينمائية	View Activity 591402 →
`591403`	Operation of permanent movie theater	تشغيل دار العرض السينمائي الدائم	View Activity 591403 →
`591404`	Operating temporary movies theatre	تشغيل دار العرض السينمائي المؤقت	View Activity 591404 →
`591405`	Operating movies theatre for special needs	تشغيل دار العرض السينمائي للاحتياج المتخصص	View Activity 591405 →

Regulatory & Business Setup Use Cases in Saudi Arabia

Ministry of Commerce (MC): Required on your Saudi Commercial Registration (CR) to legally define the company’s business activities.
Ministry of Investment (MISA): Determines eligibility for 100% foreign-owned investment licenses and capital requirements. See our MISA Licensing Guide.
ZATCA Taxation & Zakat: Activity categorization for Corporate Income Tax (20%), Zakat (2.5%), and 15% VAT filing rules. See our ZATCA Tax Guide.
MHRSD / Qiwa (Nitaqat Quotas): Determines the required percentage of Saudi national employees. Check our Nitaqat Saudization Guide.
Balady Municipal Licensing: Establishes commercial shop, office, and warehouse zoning compliance.

Compliance & Regulatory Risk Assessment

Assessment Factor	Verification Status	Regulatory Source / Evidence
Official GASTAT Registry	✅ Verified	Confirmed in official GASTAT SSIC January 2025 / 2026 release
ISIC Rev. 4 International Crosswalk	✅ Aligned	Standardized UN International Industrial Classification mapping
Commercial Registration (CR) Active	✅ Eligible	Available for immediate filing on Ministry of Commerce portal
MISA Foreign Investment Path	✅ Permitted	100% foreign equity eligible under MISA investment criteria
5-Tier Structural Hierarchy	✅ Complete	Full parent-child relationship verified from Section to Activity
Overall Regulatory Readiness Score	🟢 10 / 10	Low Compliance Risk / Ready for Commercial Setup

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What does Saudi SSIC code 591 cover?

SSIC 591 covers Motion picture, video and television program production activities (أنشطة إنتاج الأفلام والفيديو والبرامج التلفزيونية) under Saudi Arabia’s official industrial classification system.

2. Which authority regulates activities under SSIC 591?

Activities under this code fall under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce and respective sectoral regulators.

3. Can international investors establish a business with code 591?

Yes. In most sectors, the Ministry of Investment (MISA) permits 100% foreign equity ownership. Refer to our MISA Guide for full requirements.

4. How does SSIC 591 affect my company’s Nitaqat rating?

MHRSD calculates your Saudization tier based on your primary SSIC activity registered on your Commercial Registration.

Official Source Attribution & Disclaimer

Primary Data Source: General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) — National Classification for Economic Activities.

Commercial Portal: Ministry of Commerce (MC)

This page is an independent reference resource. Cross-verify critical licensing details on official government portals before filing commercial applications.