Ministry of Investment

Issuing a Real Estate Investment License

A definition of the service for issuing a real estate investment license
The service of issuing a real estate investment license is one of the investment services provided by the Saudi Ministry of Investment. It aims to enable foreign and GCC investors to enter the real estate sector in the Kingdom and practice real estate activities in a regulated and official manner.

The real estate investment license allows the foreign or GCC investor to practice real estate activities such as: developing residential or commercial projects, property management, investing in real estate complexes, operating real estate facilities, or other real estate activities permitted according to Saudi laws. In some cases, activities are restricted by special controls, such as buying and selling real estate for foreigners, as it is subject to a specific license and exceptions.
To submit the application, the investor accesses the Ministry of Investment's portal and fills out the 'real estate investment license application' form, while attaching the required documents, such as:


The parent company's commercial registration (authenticated and translated).
Certified financial statements for the last three years.
A feasibility study or a detailed description of the targeted real estate project.
An operational and investment plan showing the type of real estate activity.
Official authorization letters for the representative in the Kingdom.
Payment of the prescribed regulatory fees.


The importance of the service for issuing a real estate investment license:


Opening the Saudi real estate market to foreign and GCC investments in a regulated and legal manner.
Enhancing urban development projects by attracting international development companies and expertise.
Contributing to the achievement of Saudi Vision 2030's targets by raising the efficiency of the real estate sector and developing qualitative investments.
Diversifying the national economy by attracting investment in one of the most important sectors that supports growth.
Enhancing competitiveness and quality in residential, commercial, and service projects through the entry of international and GCC companies.
Creating new job opportunities through large real estate companies and projects.
Activating local and international partnerships with real estate developers, contractors, and service offices.


Difficulties related to completing or issuing a real estate investment license


The strictness of conditions related to foreign ownership of real estate, especially in certain regions or holy cities (such as Makkah and Madinah).
The need to translate and certify foreign documents through chambers of commerce and embassies, which increases the processing time.
The necessity of additional approvals in case of practicing certain real estate activities, such as property management or residential development.
The possibility of the application being rejected if the investor does not provide a clear plan or a strong financial record.
A long review period, especially for large projects that require approvals from the Ministry of Housing or municipalities.
Special conditions regarding the minimum required capital to enter the real estate market.
Subsequent obligations such as employment ratios (Saudization) and submitting periodic reports to regulatory authorities.
Target Sector Trader
Affiliated Authority Ministry of Investment
Estimated Duration2 days
Gov Approval Window5 working days
Service Pricing8280
Government Fee12000

Mandatory Conditions

  • ✓ The total percentage of the Saudi partner/partners and the capital corresponds to the minimum limits specified by the type of activity.
  • ✓ In case that one of the partners was previously licensed by the Ministry of Investment, it must be clarified when filling in the partners' data while submitting the electronic application.
  • ✓ Payment of fees within 15 days.
  • ✓ The applicant must fill the data of the Saudi National Identity / Premium Residency / Regular Residency, if one of the partners holds any of them, or filling the commercial registration data for the participating Saudi companies when submitting the electronic application.
  • ✓ If the licensed activity is related to real estate investment projects, the limit of the value of one project to be established is not less than 30,000,000 Saudi riyals and a building outside the scope of the Two Holy Mosques, and there are no minimum capital limits for projects Real estate investment.
  • ✓ For the Real estate financing capital not to be less than 200,000,000 Saudi Riyals and for the Saudi percentage not to be less than 40%.
  • ✓ For the Real estate development capital outside the scope of the Two Holy Mosques not to be less than 30,000,000 million Saudi Riyals.
  • ✓ Required Data: (Email - Absher Phone Number - Real Estate Activities - Partners & Managers IDs - City in which the license is requested).

Required Documents

  • ✓ A copy of the establishment’s commercial register, certified by Saudi Embassy.
  • ✓ The financial statements for the last financial year of the foreign company requesting a license certified by the Saudi Embassy.
  • ✓ Entity's Articles of Association certified by the Saudi Embassy.
  • ✓ National Address.