Saudi Arabia MISA Foreign Investment Licensing Guide 2026

The Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) (وزارة الاستثمار) manages foreign direct investment (FDI) licensing for multinational corporations, foreign SMEs, and global entrepreneurs expanding into the Saudi market under 100% foreign equity ownership.


Primary MISA Investment License Categories

License CategoryTarget Scope & Economic ActivitiesMinimum Statutory CapitalKey Eligibility Criteria
Services LicenseIT, Software, Engineering, Consulting, Healthcare, ManagementNo statutory minimum (typically SAR 500,000)1-year audited financials of foreign parent entity
Industrial LicenseManufacturing, Assembly, Heavy Industry, Chemicals, Food ProcessingTypically SAR 1,000,000Factory location plan and industrial feasibility study
Trading License (100% Foreign)Wholesale & Retail distribution in KSASAR 30,000,000 (committed over 3 years)Presence in $\ge 3$ international markets
Regional Headquarters (RHQ)MENA regional management hub in RiyadhNon-commercial supervisory entityZero corporate tax for 30 years

Regulatory Authority & Trust Note

Official Authority: Ministry of Investment (MISA Invest Saudi)