Business Wire, 27 October 2025: Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) has introduced significant changes to its investment account regulations, widening access to the Kingdom’s main stock market for Gulf-based foreign investors and former residents.

Under the new framework, individual foreign investors residing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can now directly invest in shares listed on the Saudi Main Market (TASI). Previously, these investors were restricted to debt instruments, the Parallel Market, investment funds, and derivatives trading.

The amendments also permit foreign investors who formerly resided in Saudi Arabia or other GCC countries to maintain their investment accounts and continue trading on the main market after leaving the region, provided they established their accounts during their residency period.

These regulatory changes mark a significant shift from previous rules, which limited main market access to foreign investors operating through swap agreements with licensed institutions or managed accounts.

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