MISA Foreign Investment Licences: Types & How to Apply

Foreign investors looking to set up in Saudi Arabia can obtain their licence through the Ministry of Investment (MISA), which issues foreign investment permits via its electronic licensing portal and the Invest Saudi platform. The licence is the first legal step for any non-Saudi wishing to run a business in the Kingdom.

MISA offers a wide range of licence categories in 2026, including service, trading and commercial, industrial, professional, real estate development, agricultural, mining, entrepreneur and startup, and regional headquarters (RHQ) licences. Additional specialised permits cover transport, audiovisual media, scientific and technical offices, printing and publishing, labour services and consulting. Businesses may be wholly owned by a foreign investor or jointly owned with a Saudi partner.

Capital requirements and fees

Minimum capital varies by activity and legal form. Many general service, industrial, agricultural, mining and professional structures start at SAR 25,000, while a services LLC may require SAR 500,000 and an industrial LLC SAR 1,000,000. A regional headquarters licence requires SAR 500,000. Trading with a Saudi partner holding at least 25% needs SAR 26,666,667, while a fully foreign-owned trading licence requires SAR 30,000,000 plus presence in at least three regional or global markets. Real estate development projects must be valued at a minimum of SAR 30,000,000, and entrepreneurial licences typically require no minimum capital.

First-year costs are often cited at around SAR 12,000, made up of a SAR 2,000 licence issuance fee and a SAR 10,000 mandatory subscription to MISA investor support services. Applicants should confirm the current official fee schedule on the MISA e-services portal, as fees can change.

Core documents for most licence types include the parent company's commercial registration, legalised and attested; audited financial statements for at least the most recent fiscal year; and the articles or memorandum of association. Getting these ready early can speed up approval for anyone planning to invest in the Kingdom's growing market.

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