What Is Riyadh Expo 2030?
Expo 2030 was awarded to Riyadh by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) on 28 November 2023 in Paris. Saudi Arabia won the bid to host the event from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031 — a six-month international exposition. The theme is "Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow."
Expos are international showcases where countries, companies, and organizations present innovations around a central theme. Riyadh Expo 2030 is the first World Expo to be hosted in the Arab world. For companies in Saudi Arabia and those entering the market, it represents a procurement cycle, a business development window, and a visibility platform running across multiple years of preparation and six months of the event itself.
1. Location — North Riyadh
The Expo 2030 site is located in North Riyadh, near King Khalid International Airport. The site covers 6 million square meters. Key access points:
• King Khalid International Airport — the site is minutes from the airport, which makes it accessible for international delegations and business visitors arriving by air
• Riyadh Metro — a dedicated station links the site to the metro network, connecting it to King Abdullah Financial District, the city center, and other commercial zones
• Airport Road and Thumamah Road — both arterials are adjacent to the site and have been expanded to handle the expected traffic volumes
2. The Three Exhibition Themes
Riyadh Expo 2030 is organized around three sub-themes, each relevant to different business sectors:
| Sub-Theme | Focus Areas | Relevant Business Sectors |
|---|---|---|
| A Different Tomorrow | Science and technology innovations, quality of life improvements | Technology, healthcare, AI, smart cities |
| Climate Action | Sustainability, renewable energy, carbon reduction | Clean energy, green construction, environmental services |
| Prosperity for All | Economic inclusion, equal opportunity, global connectivity | Financial services, education, logistics, tourism |
3. How Companies and Vendors Participate
Participation in Expo 2030 is not limited to countries. Private sector companies can participate through four official tracks:
▸ Approved Vendor Track
Companies in construction, technology, logistics, hospitality, and event services can register as approved vendors to supply goods and services for building and operating national pavilions and public facilities. Vendor registration is through the official Expo 2030 procurement portal.
▸ Innovative Exhibitor Track
Technology and research companies with applied solutions in sustainability and AI can apply to exhibit in dedicated innovation zones within the site. This track targets companies with demonstrable products rather than general brand presence.
▸ Strategic Sponsorship Track
Companies seeking to link their brand to the event as official partners — in mobility, communications, or sustainable energy — apply through the sponsorship team at the Expo 2030 organizing committee (bie-paris.org).
▸ Cultural Programme Track
Cultural organizations, arts groups, and performers can participate in the live cultural programme. This track is managed through the organizing committee's cultural affairs office.
4. Qualification Requirements for Vendor Companies
Companies applying for vendor status at Expo 2030 must meet the following requirements:
1. Valid Saudi commercial registration (CR) — required for all vendor applications
2. Tax compliance certificate from ZATCA — required to confirm active VAT filing
3. Valid GOSI certificate — confirms social insurance contributions are current
4. Local content compliance — contracts give priority to companies with high Saudi national employment and locally procured goods
5. MISA investment license (for international companies) — required before CR issuance and vendor registration
6. For major infrastructure contracts: Regional Headquarters (RHQ) registration or equivalent local entity with demonstrated financial capacity
Foreign companies that do not yet have a Saudi commercial registration need to complete the full 23-step business setup path before applying for vendor status. Motaded manages this process.
5. Visa Types for Expo 2030 Business Visitors
| Visa Type | Who It Is For | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist e-Visa | General visitors from 60+ countries | Apply electronically via visa.visitsaudi.com — multiple entry, valid 1 year |
| Business Visit Visa | Company representatives and vendors with official invitations | Apply via Saudi embassy or authorized agencies — requires invitation letter or CR |
| Participants and Exhibitors Visa | Official exhibitors and national pavilion staff | Issued in coordination with the Expo 2030 organizing committee |
| Visa on Arrival | Holders of valid Schengen, US, or UK visas (used at least once) | Available at King Khalid International Airport |
| Transit Visa | Visitors stopping in Riyadh for up to 96 hours | Available at the airport for qualifying nationalities |
Note: A tourist visa cannot be converted to a work visa inside Saudi Arabia. Companies needing to deploy staff for Expo-related work must apply for the appropriate work visa through Qiwa platform before the employee enters the Kingdom.
6. Business Opportunities by Sector
The preparation phase (2026–2030) and the event itself (October 2030–March 2031) generate procurement across multiple sectors. The following are confirmed active or expected procurement areas:
| Sector | Procurement Type | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and engineering | Pavilion construction, infrastructure, site utilities | Saudi CR + MISA license + Saudi Council of Engineers (for foreign firms) |
| Technology | AI systems, digital infrastructure, visitor management, cybersecurity | Saudi CR + MISA license |
| Logistics and supply chain | Goods delivery, warehousing, customs coordination | Saudi CR + MISA license + customs broker coordination |
| Hospitality and F&B | Hotels, catering, event hospitality management | Saudi CR + MISA license + Saudi Tourism Authority license |
| Event production | Stage design, AV systems, live events, digital shows | Saudi CR + MISA license |
| Environmental services | Waste management, recycling, carbon monitoring | Saudi CR + MISA license |
| Translation and interpretation | Multilingual services for 80+ languages | Saudi CR |
See our business setup service and GRO services for vendor qualification and government registration.
7. What Happens After Expo 2030 — The Riyadh Innovation Hub
The Expo 2030 site is designed for permanent use after the event closes in March 2031. The post-Expo plan converts the site into the Riyadh Innovation Hub — a permanent research, technology, and startup district in North Riyadh. National pavilions will be repurposed as research centers, technology universities, and headquarters for early-stage companies.
For companies entering Saudi Arabia through Expo-related contracts, this means the relationship with the site continues after 2031. Companies that establish a commercial presence in Saudi Arabia for Expo work are positioned for the ongoing development of the Innovation Hub district.
8. How Motaded Supports Companies Entering Saudi Arabia for Expo 2030
Motaded provides the company setup and government relations support that foreign companies need before they can participate in Expo 2030 as vendors or exhibitors:
• MISA investment license application and management
• Commercial registration (CR) issuance via the Saudi Business Center
• ZATCA and GOSI registration for tax and social insurance compliance
• Work visas and Iqama for employees deployed to Saudi Arabia for Expo work
• GRO services for government vendor qualification via Etimad and direct authority coordination
• Virtual address and serviced offices in Riyadh for companies needing a registered address before committing to a long-term lease
Entering Saudi Arabia for Expo 2030?
Contact us at info@motaded.com.sa. Motaded handles company setup, work visas, and vendor qualification for companies participating in Riyadh Expo 2030. See our business setup service.
Also Read: Giga Projects in Saudi Arabia | GRO Services | Setup Cost Calculator
See our business setup service, GRO services.
Q: When is Riyadh Expo 2030 and how long does it last?
A: Riyadh Expo 2030 runs from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031 — six months. The preparation phase with active procurement is already underway from 2026 onward.
Q: Does a foreign company need a Saudi commercial registration to supply Expo 2030?
A: Yes. A valid Saudi commercial registration and MISA investment license are required before vendor registration. See our business setup service for the full 23-step path.
Q: What visa does a business visitor need for Expo 2030?
A: Most business visitors use a Business Visit Visa (requires an official invitation) or a Tourist e-Visa (available to citizens of 60+ countries). For employees deployed to work at the Expo, a work visa through Qiwa platform is required.
Q: What is the local content requirement for Expo 2030 vendor contracts?
A: Expo 2030 contracts give priority to companies with high local content — specifically, high percentages of Saudi national employees and locally procured goods. Motaded's HR services and GRO services support companies in building their local content profile.
Q: How does Motaded help companies entering Saudi Arabia for Expo 2030?
A: Motaded handles the full company setup: MISA license, CR, ZATCA and GOSI registration, work visas, and government vendor qualification. See our business setup service.
