New 2025 Investment Law Ends MISA Licensing

Foreign investors in Saudi Arabia now face a simpler entry route after the new Investment Law (Royal Decree M/19) and its Implementing Regulations (Ministerial Resolution 1086) came into force on 12 February 2025, repealing the 2000 Foreign Investment Law. The traditional standalone foreign investment license — long known as the MISA license — has been abolished.

In its place, the Kingdom has introduced a single investor registration regime that applies to both Saudi and foreign investors. Foreign investors now complete a one-time registration in the National Investor Register, a central database maintained by the وزارة الاستثمار. This registration, rather than sector-by-sector licenses, is the legal basis for conducting investment activities.

The definition of a foreign investor now covers both individuals and legal entities not classified as local investors, and applies to direct and indirect investments alike. Under the unified model, a single registration can cover multiple activities, subject to any activity-specific approvals — replacing the old system of separate applications and fees for each sector.

What changes for investors

A Standing Ministerial Committee for Examination of Foreign Investments has been established to review "prohibited" and "restricted" activities. Investors wishing to undertake listed activities must obtain prior approval through the وزارة الاستثمار before registration or amendment is finalized.

The updated Investor Guide, whose twelfth edition was revised in 2025, reclassifies legacy licenses into categories aligned with the new regime, including Investment Registration, Entrepreneur License, Temporary Registration for Government Contracts, Registration of Technical and Scientific Offices, Registration for Economic and Technical Contact Offices, and the Regional Headquarters License.

The entire process is handled through the وزارة الاستثمار online portal, where investors submit applications, upload corporate documents, and track progress. The system is fully electronic and integrated with other government platforms for data verification — a move aligned with رؤية السعودية 2030 aims to make the Kingdom easier to invest in.

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