Saudi Premium Residency
3 months
SAR 100,000 (about US $26,640)
One-year residency (Limited) - Permanent residency (Unlimited)
Saudi Premium Residency program
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched the Premium Residency System, also known as the “Saudi Green Card,” in 2019 to enhance the competitiveness of the Kingdom’s economy, encourage entrepreneurs, and attract investors wishing to conduct their business and commercial activities legally in Saudi Arabia. The program also aims to reduce the phenomenon of commercial concealment, which refers to non-Saudi individuals practicing commercial activities in Saudi Arabia without obtaining an investment license through the license granted to a Saudi citizen or a licensed foreign investor.
Initially, the Saudi Premium Residency program offered only two options (products). The first is the Limited Duration Premium Residency, allowing for a stay in Saudi Arabia for one year, which can be renewable. The second is the Unlimited Duration Premium Residency, granting applicants permanent residence in Saudi Arabia. In January 2024, Saudi Arabia expanded the program to encompass a broader range of applicant categories by adding five new products: Real Estate Owner Residency, Investor Residency, Entrepreneur Residency, Special Talent Residency, and Gifted Residency.
Holders of the Premium Residency card and their eligible family members gain the right to reside in Saudi Arabia. They can also invest or work in the country in private sector jobs, moving between establishments, in addition to various other benefits not available to ordinary residents in Saudi Arabia. Applications for Premium Residency are processed through the Premium Residency Center, a government entity that facilitates the acquisition of Saudi Premium Residency, aiming to attract investments and exceptional individuals from around the world in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Which Family Members Can Be Added in the Same Saudi Premium Residency Application?
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Spouse
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Children below the age of 25
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Parents
Saudi Arabia Overview
Saudi Arabia is one of the countries located in the Arabian Gulf region, and is considered one of the largest in terms of both land area and population in the Middle East. In fact, Saudi Arabia accounts for about 80% of the total land area of the Arabian Peninsula, making it the twelfth largest country in the world by land area. What makes Saudi Arabia unique is the diversity of its terrain, which includes deserts, highlands, and plains. The country also has access to two major bodies of water: the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf. To the east, Saudi Arabia shares borders with the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain, while to the north it borders Kuwait, Iraq, and Jordan. Finally, to the south, it is bordered by Yemen and Oman.
Language
Arabic
Currency
SAR
Total Area
2,149,690 km2
Capital
Riyadh
Government
Monarchy
Population
34,110,821Saudi Premium Residency Benefits
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The holder of the Premium Residency, together with their eligible family members, is granted the right to reside in Saudi Arabia. They also have the right to work and engage in commercial activities, with the ability to freely change jobs within the private sector.
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The right to own residential, commercial, and industrial real estate in all areas of the Kingdom except for Mecca, Madina, and border regions. In Mecca and Madina, the Premium Residency holder can obtain a usufruct right for a maximum of 99 years.
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The right to own cars and other means of private transportation and license them within Saudi Arabia.
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Issuing of visit visas for various family members, including parents, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, and their children.
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The right to invest in the Saudi Capital Market
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Possibility to recruit foreign domestic workers and arrange their residency.
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The freedom to leave and enter the Kingdom at their own discretion, and the right to use the lanes designated for Saudi citizens at Saudi airports.
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In the event of the primary holder's death, the family members will retain their premium residency rights and benefits.
Saudi Premium Residency Options
Limited Duration Premium Residency
Foreigners have the option of obtaining a Saudi Premium Residency for a limited period of one to five years. This residency permit is renewable at a cost of 100,000 Saudi riyals per year.
For those who apply for a Saudi Premium Residency for more than one year, a 2% discount is offered on the fees, but payment must be made in advance to benefit from the cumulative discount. The annual Saudi Premium Residency is suitable for investors and businessmen who wish to undertake a fixed-term investment project in Saudi Arabia or experience the benefits of privileged residency and investment in the Kingdom before opting for permanent residency.
Unlimited Duration Premium Residency
For foreigners seeking permanent residency in Saudi Arabia, the Premium Residency Program offers a second option to obtain the Premium Residence for an unlimited period by paying a one-time fee of 800,000 Saudi riyals. This allows the applicant to enjoy the benefits of the Premium Residency indefinitely.
The holder of the Saudi Arabia Premium Residency is permitted to add eligible family members (including a spouse, children under the age of 25, and parents, regardless of their number), who will also be granted Premium Residency status in Saudi Arabia without any additional fees.
This option provides applicants with the opportunity to enjoy a stable residency status in Saudi Arabia, eliminating the need for future renewal of the premium residency.
Real Estate Owner Residency
The Saudi Premium Residency program also offers a pathway for those seeking Saudi residency through real estate investment, via the Real Estate Owner Residency product. This grants foreigners Saudi Premium Residency in exchange for owning or holding usufruct rights to one or more residential properties in Saudi Arabia, with a total value of at least SAR 4,000,000.
The conditions for this premium residency for property owners require that the property must be residential and already developed, meaning plots of land or properties under construction are not permitted. Additionally, the property must not be subject to any mortgage at any stage, whether before or after obtaining residency.
The duration of residency granted to applicants through this option is dependent on the duration of property ownership or usufruct. This option offers a dual benefit for foreign investors, due to the vibrancy of the Saudi real estate market, providing them with an opportunity to earn substantial profits from their investment while obtaining premium residency in Saudi Arabia simultaneously.
Investor Residency
Foreign investors looking to capitalize on the available investment opportunities, the robust economy, and the favorable environment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia can obtain permanent Premium Residency by investing a minimum of seven million Saudi Riyals and creating 10 job opportunities within the first two years of residency.
To qualify for and obtain Saudi Premium Residency through this option, applicants must secure an investment license from the Saudi Ministry of Investment, provide a valid commercial registration, and submit the company’s memorandum of association. These documents should verify the investor’s shareholding, which must meet or exceed the required threshold investment share.
Entrepreneur Residency
The Entrepreneur Residency product offers entrepreneurs and startup founders the opportunity to qualify for premium residency in Saudi Arabia, contingent upon securing an entrepreneurship license from the Saudi Ministry of Investment and receiving a letter of recommendation from an investing entity.
This option is divided into two categories. In the first category, applicants’ projects must secure investment rounds or financing from venture funds accredited in Saudi Arabia, amounting to no less than SAR 400,000, with their share in the startup being at least 20%. Meeting this criterion grants the applicant a 5-year renewable premium residency.
The second category demands a minimum investment of SAR 15 million, with the applicant holding no less than a 10% share in the startup. Applicants in this category qualify for permanent residency, provided they create 10 job opportunities in the first year and an equal number in the following year. Additional benefits of the Entrepreneur Residency product include exemptions from the Saudization program (Nitaqat) for the first three years and the ability to nominate two senior employees from the startup for premium residency under the Special Talent Residency product.
Special Talent Residency
Individuals with distinguished skills and capabilities in scientific, administrative, and research fields are also eligible to obtain Saudi Premium Residency, provided they have an employment contract with one of the specified entities and priority specializations, with a monthly salary ranging from SAR 14,000 to SAR 80,000 depending on the category, in addition to a letter of recommendation from their employer.
This product offers two pathways for applicants: the first is tailored for individuals with expertise in research, health, and scientific fields. Applicants for this pathway must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, at least three years of experience in their specialization, and achieve the minimum required points as per the assessment system set by the Premium Residency Center.
The second pathway is designed for senior employees and executive managers. Approved applicants are granted Saudi Premium Residency for a duration of five years, which is renewable and can be converted into permanent residency. They are also exempted from the Saudi localization program, Nitaqat.
Gifted Residency
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia warmly welcomes individuals with talents in sports, culture, and the arts to apply for Premium Residency through the Gifted Residency product. This option offers a five-year premium residency, which is renewable and can be converted into permanent residency. Additionally, beneficiaries are exempt from the Nitaqat program.
The product offers two pathways: the first for individuals who have won or have been nominated for specific awards, and the second for those who meet certain eligibility criteria established by relevant entities, such as the Ministry of Sports or the Ministry of Culture in Saudi Arabia. To be eligible to apply, talent applicants must obtain a recommendation from one of the official relevant entities in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Premium Residency Price
| Limited Duration Residency: |
100,000 SAR annually |
| Unlimited Duration Residency: |
800,000 SAR |
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Real Estate Owner Residency:
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4,000 SAR
|
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Investor Residency:
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4,000 SAR
|
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Entrepreneur Residency:
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4,000 SAR
|
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Special Talent Residency:
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4,000 SAR
|
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Gifted Residency:
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4,000 SAR
|
|
Application processing fee: |
170 USD |
Requirements for Saudi Premium Residency Application
The conditions and requirements for Premium Residency vary from one product to another, but there are a set of general requirements that all applicants must meet, regardless of the Premium Residency product they are applying through. These encompass the following:
- The applicant and their eligible family members must hold passports with a validity of at least 6 months.
- Applicants must have a clean criminal record.
- Proof of the main applicant’s financial solvency through a recent bank statement.
- Applicants must provide a medical report issued within the last six months proving that they are free of communicable diseases.
- If applying from inside Saudi Arabia, applicants must prove legal residency with validity extending 90 days past the application date.
Advantages of Residency in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia boasts one of the world’s largest and fastest growing economies, and is a member of the G20. It has abundant natural resources, including oil, natural gas, and minerals, making it the world’s largest oil exporter. In addition to oil, investment sectors in the Kingdom include religious tourism, as millions of people come to perform Hajj and Umrah each year, as well as communications, renewable energy, and more.
With its world-class infrastructure and facilities, Saudi Arabia offers promising opportunities for investors and businessmen. It is also a great place to live, with prestigious cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina, and Dammam, and a diverse community of expatriates from various cultures and ethnicities. The warm weather, beautiful landscapes, and stunning beaches make it an even more enjoyable experience.
Required Documents for Saudi Premium Residency
- Scanned copies of the applicant’s passport and the passports of all family members included in the application.
- Recent personal photos of all individuals included in the application.
- Proof of residence address, such as a utility bill, if applying from outside Saudi Arabia, or a residence card if applying from within the Kingdom.
- Bank statements for the last 12 months.
- Certified copies of the applicant’s academic qualifications.
- An approved medical report showing the health status of the applicant and their family members.
- Documents proving the applicant’s financial solvency, such as payroll, commercial register, or audited financial statements.
Countries that Allow Visa-Free Access for Saudi Residents
Foreign nationals holding Saudi residency, including Saudi Premium Residency, may enter the following countries (Bahrain, Egypt, Georgia, Oman, and Tunisia) without a prior visa, simply owing to their being residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Premium Residency Application Steps
- Go to the official website of the Saudi Premium Residency Portal.
- Complete the initial application form, providing personal data, passport information, and email address. You will also need to upload a personal photo.
- Verify your email address by following the verification link sent to you.
- Log in to your account and complete the application form for Saudi Premium Residency. This form will require you to provide detailed information about yourself and any family members included in the application, as well as information related to education, travel history, financial status, and other relevant details.
- Attach the required documents.
- Pay the application fee.
- Track the application and submit any additional information or documents requested by the center
- Wait for the application to be processed. Once the application is reviewed, you will receive a notification regarding the status of your application and whether your request for Saudi Premium Residency has been approved.
Saudi Premium Residency FAQ
- While the Investor Visa requires that the applicant own a legal investment entity, any individual can apply for the Premium Residency.
- The holder of the Premium Residency is not tied to a sponsor in Saudi Arabia, while the holder of the Saudi Investor Visa is sponsored by the investment establishment.
- The profession of the Investor Visa holder is registered as "investor" on their residency card, and they are not entitled to work in private sector jobs, whereas the holder of the Premium Residency can work in the private sector and move between jobs freely.
- The holder of the Premium Residency is permitted to own real estate in their name, while the Investor Visa holder is only allowed to own property through their investment establishment and for specific purposes.
- The Iqama is always tied to an employer (sponsor), whereas the Premium Residency does not require sponsorship.
- Premium Residency permits provide freedom of entry and exit from Saudi Arabia, while Iqama holders may require their employer's approval to obtain a travel visa.
- Iqama is usually valid for one or two years only and are renewable, whereas the Premium Residency permit can be annual or permanent.
- Premium residency holders in Saudi Arabia have the right to own real estate in the country and obtain a usufruct right to real estate in Mecca and Madina. In contrast, Iqama holders require approval from the Ministry of Interior to own real estate and are not permitted to obtain a usufruct right to real estate in Mecca or Madina.
- Premium Residency holders are entitled to own various means of transportation, whereas Iqama holders can own a maximum of two cars.
- Premium Residency holders can move freely between private sector jobs, while Iqama holders typically require employer approval to switch jobs.
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