ZATCA Phase 2 Integration: What Changed and Where Booksara Stands

ZATCA e-invoicing didn't stop at Phase 1. Phase 2 — officially called the Integration Phase — adds real-time transmission of invoices to ZATCA's own systems, and it's being rolled out in waves, business by business, rather than all at once. If you're trying to figure out what actually changes and when it applies to you, this page covers it honestly, including where Booksara currently stands.

What Changes Under ZATCA Phase 2

Phase 1 was mostly about how an invoice is generated. Phase 2 is about what happens to it after that:

  • XML format. Invoices need to be generated in a structured XML format, not just a PDF with the right fields printed on it.
  • Cryptographic stamp. Each invoice carries a digital stamp that verifies it came from a specific, ZATCA-registered device or system.
  • Real-time clearance (B2B). Business-to-business invoices need to be submitted to ZATCA and cleared before they're considered valid — this happens in near real time, not as a batch upload later.
  • Real-time reporting (B2C). Business-to-consumer invoices need to be reported to ZATCA shortly after issuance, though they don't require pre-clearance the way B2B invoices do.

Is Your Business Required to Comply Yet?

ZATCA is rolling Phase 2 out in waves, generally starting with businesses above certain revenue thresholds and working down over time. ZATCA notifies affected businesses directly, typically at least six months before their compliance deadline, so if you haven't received that notice, your wave likely hasn't been called yet. That said, thresholds and timelines are set by ZATCA and do change, so the notification from ZATCA itself — not a general estimate — is the reliable source for your business's specific deadline.

Where Booksara Stands on Phase 2

We want to be direct about this rather than overselling it: Booksara is fully compliant with ZATCA Phase 1 today, covering the QR-code and structured-invoice requirements already in force for every business. Phase 2 — the XML, cryptographic stamp, and real-time clearance/reporting integration — is in active development on our side, and is not yet production-ready for customer use.

If your business has received a Phase 2 wave notification from ZATCA with a near-term deadline, reach out to our support team at support@booksara.com so we can give you an accurate, current answer about timing rather than a guess made from this page.

What to Do While You Wait

Waiting for Phase 2 readiness doesn't mean there's nothing to do now.

  • Stay solid on Phase 1. Every invoice you issue today should already carry the correct fields and QR code — Booksara handles this automatically, so this part is not something to worry about.
  • Watch for your ZATCA notification. Your wave assignment comes directly from ZATCA, based on your registered business details, so make sure your ZATCA account information is current.
  • Keep your invoice and VAT records clean. A tidy set of books now makes any transition, including Phase 2, considerably less stressful later.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ZATCA Phase 2 e-invoicing?

Phase 2, the Integration Phase, requires invoices to be generated in XML format with a cryptographic stamp, and transmitted to ZATCA for clearance (B2B) or reporting (B2C) in near real time, rather than just generated with a QR code as in Phase 1.

When do I need to comply with ZATCA Phase 2?

ZATCA rolls Phase 2 out in waves by business criteria, generally starting with larger revenue businesses first, and notifies each business directly with its specific deadline, typically at least six months in advance.

Is Booksara ready for ZATCA Phase 2?

Booksara is fully compliant with Phase 1 today. Phase 2 integration is in active development and not yet production-ready — contact support@booksara.com if your business has a near-term Phase 2 deadline for a current status update.

What happens if I miss my Phase 2 deadline?

Missing a ZATCA compliance deadline can result in penalties, so if your business receives a wave notification, it's worth tracking that date closely and confirming your software's readiness ahead of it.

Does Phase 2 replace Phase 1 requirements?

No, Phase 2 adds requirements on top of Phase 1 rather than replacing them — structured invoicing and QR codes from Phase 1 still apply, alongside the new XML, stamp, and transmission requirements.

For the compliance that's required of every business right now, ZATCA e-invoicing Phase 1 is fully handled inside Booksara. Start free and we'll keep you posted as Phase 2 integration moves toward general availability.