How Foreign Firms Get a MISA Investment License

Foreign companies planning to operate in Saudi Arabia must first obtain a foreign investment license from the Ministry of Investment (MISA). The license authorizes an investor to carry out a specific economic activity, either by incorporating a new company or by opening a branch in the Kingdom.

Applications are submitted online through the Invest Saudi platform and MISA e-services. The core workflow starts with checking whether the activity is eligible, preparing the required documents, submitting online, ministry review, and finally completing the license. Core documents typically include the parent company's commercial registration and its audited financial statements for the latest fiscal year, with foreign documents legalized or attested where required.

Once approved, investors move on to obtain a Commercial Registration from the Ministry of Commerce, followed by any sector-specific registrations and permits. Some activities are restricted and require a separate request to MISA, which is then routed to the relevant government agency for consideration.

Timelines, fees and support

Complete applications are generally processed within about 3 to 10 business days, with standard cases sometimes cited at 3 to 5 business days. Current fee and validity details vary across recent guidance: some references cite roughly SAR 12,000 in the first year and about SAR 62,000 for annual renewal, while other guidance indicates fee collection is temporarily suspended pending a new registration-fee schedule. Reported validity ranges from one year for new entities to five years for established ones, and no single official current schedule is confirmed.

For payments, SADAD biller code 108 is listed for MISA fees. Investors can reach MISA through misa.gov.sa, investsaudi.sa, MISA e-services, or by email at InvestorCare@misa.gov.sa. A toll-free line is available at 8002449990 inside the Kingdom and +966112035777 from abroad.

The licensing process reflects the Kingdom's wider push to attract foreign capital under Saudi Vision 2030, giving international businesses a clearer route into the local market.

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