According to Article 9 of the Saudi Companies Law, your company acquires full legal personality — meaning it can sign contracts, own assets, and incur liabilities in its own name — upon registration with the Commercial Register. Until that point, the company does not have the same legal standing as a fully incorporated entity.
However, the law does recognize a limited legal personality during the incorporation period (before full registration). This allows incorporators to take necessary steps to complete the setup process, such as opening bank accounts or signing preliminary agreements, without personal unlimited liability in all cases. Any obligations incurred during this period may transfer to the company once it is formally registered.
As a practical tip, expats should avoid conducting significant business activities or entering major contracts before Commercial Register registration is complete. Doing so could expose individual founders to personal liability. Make sure your articles of incorporation or association are properly drafted and submitted as required under Article 7 and Article 8, which mandate these documents be in writing — otherwise they are considered null and void.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Saudi Arabia.