Foreign Investors Must Register With MISA First

Oct 24, 2026•2 min read

Foreign investors planning to do business in Saudi Arabia must now register with the Ministry of Investment (MISA) before starting any investment activity, under the updated Investment Law that took effect in February 2025. The previous licensing requirement has been replaced by a simpler registration step, except for securities investments governed by the Capital Market Law.

Registration is handled entirely online through MISA's Invest Saudi portal, so investors no longer need to visit a ministry office. The documents required depend on the investor type and the chosen activity, and they are displayed during the application. MISA's stated review period is up to 10 business days.

Once MISA confirms that registration is complete, the investor can issue a commercial registration and obtain any activity-specific licenses from the relevant competent authorities. Activities on the excluded-activities list need MISA approval before operations begin, and MISA refers such applications to the competent authority where required.

Fees and renewals

MISA does not publish a fixed registration fee. The fee is set after approval and must be paid within 15 business days of the payment notification, or the registration becomes void. The annual registration-update fee is also determined after approval and is subject to the same 15-business-day payment window. No exact amounts are specified in the available materials, and registration validity is not stated as a fixed period — investors must complete the annual update and pay the applicable fee.

For the expat business community in Riyadh, Jeddah and beyond, the shift from licensing to registration is part of the wider push under Saudi Vision 2030 to make market entry faster and more predictable. Investors should confirm the latest requirements and process details directly through MISA's electronic portal before applying.

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