Foreign Investment in Saudi Arabia Jumps in 2025

Oct 29, 2026•2 min read

The Cabinet said the continued growth in foreign investment reflects the strength and attractiveness of the Saudi economy, pointing to a sharp rise in inflows recorded during the current fiscal year.

Foreign-investment flows reached SAR 22.2 billion in the first quarter of FY2025, a 43.7% increase compared with the same period a year earlier. Net foreign direct investment inflows reached about SAR 46.5 billion in the first half of FY2025, up 29.2% year-on-year. The figures come alongside a preliminary real-GDP growth estimate of 4.6% for FY2026, driven mainly by non-oil activity.

A simpler path for investors

The gains follow the new Investment Law, which took effect in February 2025. Under the current framework, foreign investors generally register with the وزارة الاستثمار instead of obtaining the former investment license. Registration is completed through the ministry's electronic investor services.

The ministry's 2026 guide does not publish a fixed registration fee. Instead, the ministry determines the amount after approving the application, and the applicant must pay it within 15 business days of being notified. Older fixed figures that circulated previously — such as SAR 12,000 for issuance and SAR 62,000 for renewal — are no longer reliable as current prices.

After registering, the investor establishes the entity and obtains the commercial registration through the Ministry of Commerce. The ministry lists establishment-service fees of SAR 1,600 for a joint-stock or simplified joint-stock company and SAR 1,200 for a limited-liability company, with the service completed within 72 hours.

For residents and expats considering starting a business, the streamlined process means faster setup and clearer steps — a practical benefit as the Kingdom continues to broaden its non-oil economy.

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