Foreign Investors Get Direct Access to Tadawul in 2026
Foreign investors, including non‑residents, will be able to trade shares on the Saudi Exchange (Tadawul) Main Market directly starting 1 February 2026, following rule amendments announced by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) in January 2026. The change removes the Qualified Foreign Investor (QFI) regime for the Main Market entirely.
Under the new framework, there is no QFI application, no minimum assets under management requirement, and the previous USD 500 million threshold has been dropped. The swap‑agreement route has also been discontinued.
Access now covers non‑resident foreign individuals, non‑resident foreign institutions, and resident foreign investors. All can invest directly in Main Market equities by opening trading or investment accounts through Saudi‑licensed brokerage firms and custodians connected to Tadawul, with trades executed via these local brokers.
Ownership limits remain in place
Foreign ownership caps are unchanged. A single non‑resident foreign investor may hold up to 10% in any listed issuer, while total foreign ownership in each listed company is capped at 49%, excluding qualifying foreign strategic stakes. Approved foreign strategic investors are excluded from the 49% ceiling, and their criteria remain the same. Foreign investors resident in Saudi Arabia are not subject to the 10% individual cap but still fall under the 49% aggregate limit.
The QFI concept is eliminated only for the Main Market; other market segments may keep distinct rules. Trading runs Sunday to Thursday, with a pre‑open auction from 09:30 to 10:00, continuous trading from 10:00 to 15:00, and a closing auction from 15:00 to 15:10 (AST). Equity settlement follows a T+2 cycle.
For expats and residents in the Kingdom, the move simplifies direct participation in the Saudi market, cutting paperwork and lowering barriers to opening a local brokerage account.
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