Dubai has always been fast to adapt to the needs of global business. Its latest step, the Unified Business License, is a game-changer for anyone looking to start or expand a company in the emirate. Instead of navigating multiple permits and overlapping approvals, businesses can now operate more freely under one simplified framework.
Saudi Arabia has now made it possible for non-Saudi, non-resident foreigners to own property with 100% foreign ownership rights. To ensure compliance, international investors must complete the following steps before acquiring or using property in the Kingdom: Obtain and Activate a Digital ID The Absher platform is Saudi Arabia’s official gateway for government services. Foreign
For expatriates living or working in Saudi Arabia, the Iqama (residency permit) is more than just a legal requirement, it’s the foundation of everyday life in the Kingdom. Whether you’re employed by a local company, relocating with your family, hiring domestic staff, or investing in the Saudi market, having the correct Iqama ensures legal residency and access to essential services.
As companies pursue international expansion, immigration planning is too often viewed as a back-office task, handled after key business decisions are made. In practice, however, visa strategy should be a front-line consideration. When addressed proactively, it becomes a catalyst for operational efficiency, talent mobility, and regulatory compliance.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has introduced a new Saudization rule requiring private companies with five or more technical engineers to ensure that at least 30% of these roles are filled by Saudi nationals, starting 27 July 2025. Businesses will have a six-month grace period to make the transition, with full enforcement and potential penalties starting in January 2026.
Moving employees across borders has always been a complex process, from handling visa paperwork and staying on top of compliance, to ensuring smooth relocations and positive employee experiences. But in 2025, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making all of this significantly easier.
Saudi Arabia is making big moves in clean energy. With a $5.3 billion investment into 10 green energy projects delivering over 6,500 megawatts by the end of 2024, the country is pushing hard toward a sustainable future. And if you’re a global investor looking to be part of that future, there’s one key requirement: a
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has introduced a new system for categorising expatriate workers, dividing them into three distinct skill groups: High-Skilled, Skilled, and Basic. While the policy doesn’t yet trigger any direct changes to work permits or visa requirements, it sets the tone for a more structured and strategic approach to managing foreign labour in the Kingdom.
Though currently administrative in nature, this move signals a shift toward a more data-led and future-ready labour market—one that draws inspiration from international models like those in the UK, Canada, and Australia, where work visa decisions are based on salary thresholds, qualifications, occupation type, and local labour market conditions.
Residency in Saudi Arabia is no longer just a legal formality. It’s a strategic enabler, a tool for business agility, investor access, and professional independence.
The country’s two leading pathways, Premium Residency and Work Visa, are vastly different in function, cost, and flexibility. But both come with a common challenge: choose the wrong one, and your mobility, business operations, and even family relocation plans can stall before they start.
Starting a business in Saudi Arabia today is more accessible than ever, especially with the country’s push to attract global and regional players under Vision 2030. But even with a smoother process, every step, starting from choosing a trade name to registering a trademark, requires careful attention to the legal details that shape a company’s presence and protection in the market.
