Global payments giant Visa is reorganising its Middle East operations, a move that reflects how Saudi Arabia’s “regional headquarters” policy is rewriting the corporate map of the Gulf. The US-based company’s latest structural shift comes amid intensifying competition among Gulf states for foreign investment, talent and economic clout.
Traditionally, many multinational firms have used Dubai as their preferred base for Middle East regional management thanks to its advanced business infrastructure, liberal policies and cosmopolitan workforce. However, Saudi Arabia’s rule (introduced in 2024) now requires companies to establish a local regional HQ if they want to be eligible for government contracts. This has prompted firms across sectors to reconsider how they structure their regional presence and operations.
