MISA Investment Registration: Steps and Requirements

Since February 2025, Saudi Arabia has generally replaced the former foreign investment licence with MISA investment registration for foreign investors. Registration must be completed with the وزارة الاستثمار before any investment activity begins, after which the investor can issue a Saudi commercial registration and obtain activity-specific licences from the competent authorities.

Registration falls into several main categories, including foreign establishments, foreign companies, GCC nationals or entities, and Premium Residency holders. The category depends on the investor structure and the intended activity. Activities must be permitted for foreign investment and comply with sector requirements, while restricted or excluded activities may need additional approval.

Required documents

Applicants typically need the foreign company's commercial registration and its financial statements for the last fiscal year, both authenticated by the Saudi Embassy, along with constitutional and ownership documents and partner or shareholder identification. Additional papers may be required for the selected activity. GCC individual partners may need to provide identification if their details are not recorded in أبشر. Premium Residency holders are exempt from submitting the foreign commercial registration and financial statements.

How to apply and fees

Applications are submitted electronically through MISA's investor services platform using national single sign-on or investor registration. After registration, investors normally complete commercial registration and licensing through the Ministry of Commerce and the relevant regulator, such as Balady for municipal activities.

MISA must decide on an application within 30 days of receiving all required documents. The registration fee is set by MISA after approval and must be paid within 15 business days of notification; otherwise the application becomes void. The same rule applies to the annual update fee. No fixed 2026 fee schedule or universal validity period is confirmed in the available official material, and previously quoted fixed prices are not verified.

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