2026-01-06
The Capital Market Authority of Saudi Arabia has issued these Rules to regulate foreign investment in listed securities, debt instruments, and fund units. The framework establishes a 10 percent individual ownership cap for non-residing investors and a 49 percent aggregate limit, while mandating a two-year holding period for Foreign Strategic Investors. The Exchange is required to publish ongoing ownership statistics and company-specific restrictions to enforce compliance with the Capital Market Law.
Page 0 of 5 KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA Capital Market Authority Rules for Foreign Investment in Securities English Translation of the Official Arabic Text Issued by the Board of the Capital Market Authority Pursuant to its Resolution Number 2-26-2023 Dated 5/9/1444H corresponding to 27/3/2023G Based on the Capital Market Law Issued by Royal Decree No. M/30 dated 2/6/1424H Amended by Resolution of the Board of the Capital Market Authority Number 1-2-2026 Dated 16/07/1447H corresponding to 05/01/2026G Note: The official text is in Arabic. This document is an unofficial translation and is provided for information purposes only Important Notice: The current version of these Rules, as may be amended, can be found at the Authority website: www.cma.org.sa
1 TABLE OF CONTENTS PART 1: PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS Article 1: Preliminary Article 2: Definitions Article 3: Waivers Article 4: Right to Appeal PART 2: Foreign Investment in Securities Article 5: General Provisions Article 6: Investment Restrictions PART 3: ENTRY INTO FORCE Article 7: Entry into Force
2 PART 1: PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS Article 1: Preliminary a) The purpose of these Rules is to state the provisions for foreign investment in listed securities, debt instruments and units of investment funds. b) These Rules shall have no prejudice to the provisions of the Law and its Implementing Regulations, including the Rules of Offering Securities and Continuing Obligations, Market Conduct Regulations, Capital Market Institutions Regulations, Merger and Acquisition Regulations, Investment Accounts Instructions, Listing Rules and other related laws. c) Foreign investors must, at all times, comply with the relevant provisions stipulated in the Law and its Implementing Regulations, Exchange Rules and its Regulations, and other related laws. d) The Capital Market Institution must ensure full compliance with the requirements stipulated in the Anti-Money Laundering Law and its Implementing Regulations, and any other related laws. e) These Rules shall not apply to Citizens of the GCC. Article 2: Definitions a) Any reference to the “Law” in these Rules shall mean the Capital Market Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/30) dated 2/6/1424H. b) Without prejudice to Paragraph (c) of this Article, expressions and terms in these Rules have the meaning which they bear in the Law and the Glossary of Defined Terms Used in the Regulations and Rules of the Capital Market Authority, unless the contrary intention appears. c) For the purpose of implementing these Rules, the following expressions and terms shall have the meaning they bear as follows unless the contrary intention appears:
3 PART 2: GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 5: General Provisions Foreign natural and legal persons, whether residing or not, may invest in all listed securities, debt instruments and units of investment funds, with due consideration to the provisions stipulated in these Rules. Article 6: Investment Restrictions a) Investments of foreign investors shall be subject to the following restrictions:
4 PART 3: ENTRY INTO FORCE Article 7: Entry into Force These Rules shall become effective in accordance to its approval resolution.