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Saudi Arabia will allow all foreign investors to access its capital markets directly starting Feb. 1, removing long-standing eligibility restrictions as part of a broader effort to attract overseas capital and boost market liquidity.
The change was announced on Tuesday by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), Saudi Arabia’s financial markets regulator, which said it has approved amendments to existing rules governing foreign investment in the kingdom’s stock market.
The amendments eliminate the concept of the "Qualified Foreign Investor," a framework that previously limited direct market access to a select group of international institutions that met specific size and experience requirements.
Under the new rules, investors from around the world will be able to invest directly in Saudi Arabia’s capital market without having to qualify under the former system, according to the CMA’s statement.
The regulator said the move is intended to support capital inflows and improve liquidity in the market.
International investors’ ownership in Saudi Arabia’s capital market exceeded 590 billion Saudi riyals ($157.32 billion) by the end of the third quarter of 2025, the CMA said.
During the same period, international investments in the main market reached around 519 billion riyals, representing a roughly 4.2% increase from 498 billion riyals at the end of 2024.
The regulator said the approved amendments are expected to contribute to attracting additional international investments.
The Saudi benchmark index, known as TASI, fell 12.8% in 2025 and is down 1.9% so far this year.
The Saudi Exchange currently has 262 listed companies, with a total market capitalization of 9 trillion riyals ($2.39 trillion), based on figures published on its website.
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