Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency programme allows eligible foreign nationals to live, work, invest, and build a long-term future in the Kingdom without the need for a local sponsor. As Saudi Arabia continues to advance its Vision 2030 goals, the programme has evolved to attract investors, entrepreneurs, highly skilled professionals, property owners, and exceptional talent from around the world.
Today, Saudi Premium Residency offers multiple residency products tailored to different applicant profiles. Depending on the category, eligible applicants can enjoy greater flexibility to own qualifying real estate, establish businesses, sponsor eligible family members, and move freely in and out of Saudi Arabia without requiring exit and re-entry visas.
Whether you are planning to invest, expand your business, or relocate with your family, understanding the available Premium Residency products can help you choose the pathway that best aligns with your long-term goals.
Saudi Arabia Premium Residency Products
Saudi Arabia currently offers seven Premium Residency products, each designed to meet the needs of different types of applicants. Whether you are an investor, entrepreneur, highly skilled professional, property owner, or talented individual, each product has its own eligibility requirements, residency duration, and unique benefits.
1) Special Talent Residency:
Eligibility Criteria:
Professionals in healthcare and science:
- Professionals in healthcare and science: Minimum Monthly Salary SAR 35,000
- Researchers: Minimum Monthly Salary SAR 14,000
- Employment contract in approved entities with priority specializations
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
- More than three years of work experience in related priority specializations
- Endorsement letter from the employer
For Executives:
- Employment contract for executive level, with a total minimum monthly salary of SAR 80,000
- Endorsement letter from the employer
Residency Duration:
Upon issuance: 5 years
Upon renewal: Renewable for one additional term, subject to meeting eligibility criteria
Permanent Residency: Maintain eligibility criteria and complete a residency of 30 months within 5 consecutive or non-consecutive years.
Special Benefits:
- Eligibility for permanent residency upon meeting specified conditions
- Exemption from the (Nitaqat) Program One-time fee: SAR 4,000
Why Choose? Shape the future in healthcare, science, or research, unlocking a pathway to permanent residency.
2) Gifted Residency:
Eligibility Criteria:
- First Category: Nomination or receiving one of the specified exceptional awards approved by the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Sports
- Second Category: Fulfilling the minimum eligibility criteria approved by the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of
- Meeting the minimum financial solvency requirement (ensuring the ability to bear the cost of living in Saudi)
- Obtaining an endorsement from either the Ministry of Culture or the Ministry of Sports, depending on the applicant’s field
Residency Duration:
Upon issuance: A fixed-term residency for five years.
Upon renewal: A fixed-term residency for five years, renewable once upon meeting the eligibility criteria for the product and having a residence for a period of 30 months during five years either consecutive or non-consecutive.
Permanent residency: When continuously meeting the eligibility criteria for the product, having a residence for a period of 30 months during five years either consecutive or non- consecutive, and receiving an endorsement to have permanent residency from the Ministry of Culture or Ministry of Sports or the Ministry of Culture as a prerequisite for obtaining permanent residency.
Special Benefits:
- Obtain permanent residency upon meeting the
- Exemption of the primary Premium Residency holder from the “Nitaqat” Program One-time Fee Only: SAR 4000
Why Choose? Elevate your status through exceptional awards or meeting specific criteria, securing a fixed-term residency and the prospect of permanent residency.
3) Investor Residency:
Eligibility Criteria:
- Issuing an investment license
- Providing commercial register and articles of incorporation
- Investing a minimum of SAR 7 million in economic activities
Residency Duration:
Direct permanent residency conditioned on injecting SAR 7 million and creating 10 jobs during the first two years.
Special Benefits:
- Directly obtaining permanent residency One-time fee: SAR 4,000
Why Choose? Invest in Saudi Arabia’s economic landscape and secure direct permanent residency, bridging the gap between financial opportunity and a thriving future.
4) Entrepreneur Residency:
Eligibility Criteria:
- First Category: Minimum investment of SAR 400,000 (20% share)
- Second Category: Minimum investment of SAR 15 million (10% share)
- Holding an entrepreneur license from the Ministry of Investment
- Endorsement letter from the investment entity
Residency Duration:
First Category: 5 years, renewable for one additional term, maintaining eligibility standards and residency for 30 months within 5 years.
Second Category: Permanent residency conditioned on creating at least 10 jobs in each of the first two years.
Special Benefits:
- Nominate two staff members for Special Talent Residency
- Entity exempted from ‘Nitaqat’ for the first 3 operational years (First Category)
- Directly obtain permanent residency (Second Category) One-time Fee: SAR 4,000
Why Choose? For those who dare to innovate, embrace a dynamic journey with two categories offering a fixed-term or direct permanent residency, along with the power to nominate talent.
5) Real Estate Owner Residency:
Eligibility Criteria:
- Own real estate assets worth a minimum of SAR 4,000,000 within Saudi
- The property must be free from existing and future
- Property ownership or utilization must not be associated with real estate
- The real estate must be
- The real estate must be developed and not from undeveloped or unimproved
- The real estate asset must be appraised by accredited valuers within the Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers “Taqeem.”
Residency Duration:
Tied to real estate ownership or usufruct.
One-time Fee: SAR 4,000
Why Choose? Make Saudi Arabia your home by owning real estate worth a minimum of SAR 4,000,000, enjoying the privileges tied to your property ownership.
6) Limited Duration Residency:
Eligibility Criteria:
Provide proof of the applicant’s financial solvency.
Residency Duration:
One year
Annual Fee: SAR 100,000
Why Choose? Experience the Kingdom for a year with an annual fee of SAR 100,000, a steppingstone to explore the culture, opportunities, and potential of Saudi Arabia.
7) Unlimited Duration Residency:
Eligibility Criteria:
- Provide proof of the applicant’s financial solvency
Residency Duration:
- Permanent
One-time Fee: SAR 800,000
Why Choose? Embark on an everlasting journey with unlimited duration residency, a one- time fee that secures your place in the Kingdom indefinitely.
General Eligibility Requirements (Applicable to all categories):
While each Premium Residency product has its own specific requirements, applicants are generally expected to:
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Hold a valid passport.
- Demonstrate financial capability.
- Submit a medical report confirming they are free from infectious diseases.
- Have a clean criminal record.
- Hold valid legal residency if applying from within Saudi Arabia.
How to Apply for Saudi Premium Residency
The application process generally involves:
- Selecting the appropriate Premium Residency product.
- Preparing the required supporting documents.
- Submitting an online application through the Premium Residency Centre.
- Completing the eligibility review.
- Paying the applicable fees after approval.
- Receiving your Premium Residency upon successful completion of the process.
Benefits of Saudi Premium Residency
Saudi Premium Residency offers a range of benefits that provide eligible foreign nationals with greater flexibility to live, work, invest, and build a long-term future in the Kingdom. Depending on the residency product and applicable regulations, benefits may include:
- Live in Saudi Arabia without the need for a local sponsor.
- Sponsor eligible family members.
- Own qualifying residential and commercial real estate (subject to applicable regulations).
- Establish and operate businesses in Saudi Arabia.
- Obtain work permits and work in the private sector.
- Enter and leave Saudi Arabia without requiring exit and re-entry visas.
- Recruit domestic workers in accordance with Saudi regulations.
- Access selected residency products that offer a pathway to permanent residency upon meeting the required conditions.
Saudi Arabia Premium Residency: Conclusion
Saudi Premium Residency offers eligible foreign nationals an opportunity to establish long-term roots in one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing economies. With seven residency products tailored to investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, property owners, and exceptional talent, the programme supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 while creating new opportunities for individuals and families looking to live, work, and invest in the Kingdom.
Choosing the right residency product and preparing a complete application can make the process much smoother. Helpline Group assists applicants with understanding the eligibility requirements, preparing documentation, and navigating the Premium Residency application process with confidence.
