Saudi capital market foreign investors will gain full access from February 2026, as Saudi Arabia removes qualification rules to boost liquidity and investment.
Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) will open the Kingdom’s capital market to all categories of foreign investors starting from early February 2026, marking a significant liberalisation of market access.
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According to a report published by Al Arabiya Net, the CMA’s Board has approved a new regulatory framework allowing non-resident foreign investors to invest directly in the Saudi capital market. The move is intended to broaden the investor base, enhance liquidity, and deepen market participation.
Under the amended rules, foreign investors will be able to enter the market without meeting prior qualification requirements. The changes also abolish the swap agreement framework, which previously limited non-resident investors to economic exposure without direct ownership of listed securities.
The new regulations allow direct investment in equities listed on the main market, further aligning its capital market structure with international investment standards.
In July last year, the CMA had already approved measures to simplify procedures for opening and operating investment accounts for foreign individual investors residing in GCC countries, whether inside the kingdom or elsewhere. That initiative was aimed at strengthening investor confidence, supporting local investment activity, and improving the Kingdom’s market attractiveness.
Foreign ownership in the Saudi capital market rose sharply between July and September of the previous year, surpassing SAR 590 billion, with SAR 519 billion recorded as foreign investments, underscoring a growing international appetite for Saudi assets.
Why Saudi Market Opening Matters to MENA
Its decision to fully open its capital market to foreign investors represents a major milestone for financial market liberalisation in MENA. As the region competes to attract global capital, the removal of qualification barriers and swap-only access positions it as one of the most accessible and liquid markets in the Middle East. The move is likely to influence regional reforms, increase cross-border investment flows, and strengthen MENA’s integration into global capital markets.
