Saudi Arabia

Saudi Premium Residency Overview 

The Saudi Premium Residency is open to foreign nationals who qualify under one of seven routes. Launched in 2019 and significantly expanded in 2024, the program allows holders to live, work, own property, and conduct business in Saudi Arabia without requiring a local sponsor.

Temporary residency is valid for 1 to 5 years and is renewable indefinitely. Permanent residency carries no expiry date and requires no renewal. There is no minimum stay requirement to maintain either status. Holders may own real estate across the Kingdom except in Mecca, Medina, and designated border areas.

The main applicant may include a spouse, children under 25, unmarried daughters over 25, children with special needs of any age, and parents, with no cap on the number of family members included.

Eligibility Requirements

All applicants must meet the following general requirements:

• Valid passport with at least six months of validity
• Clean criminal record from the country of citizenship
• Medical report issued within the last six months confirming freedom from communicable diseases
• Proof of financial solvency sufficient to support the applicant and all included family members
• Comprehensive health insurance, to be arranged within 30 days of approval
• Pay a government application fee of SAR 4,000 (approx. US$1,067) plus an initial assessment fee of approximately US$170.

7 routes are available, as follows:

Donation Route: Temporary Residency

• Non-refundable annual fee of SAR 100,000 (approx. US$26,667), with a 2% cumulative reduction for multi-year advance payment
• Issued for one to five years and renewable indefinitely
• Minimum age of 21 years

Donation Route: Permanent Residency

• One-time non-refundable fee of SAR 800,000 (approx. US$213,333)
• No renewal required
• Minimum age of 21 years

Business Investment Route

• Valid investment license from the Ministry of Investment confirming a minimum actual capital investment of SAR 7,000,000 (approx. US$1,866,667) in Saudi economic activities
• Valid commercial registration and Memorandum of Association confirming the applicant’s ownership share
• Minimum of 10 jobs created for Saudi workers within the first two years
• Grants permanent residency directly, conditional on meeting both the investment and job creation milestones within two years

Real Estate Ownership Route

• Minimum residential property value of SAR 4,000,000 (approx. US$1,066,667), free from mortgage
• Property must be already developed and appraised by a TAQEEM-accredited valuer
• Residency duration tied to the period of property ownership

Entrepreneur Route

Two tiers apply based on the stage of the venture:

• Early-Stage: Minimum secured funding of SAR 400,000 (approx. US$106,667) from a recognized venture capital fund or incubator; minimum 20% ownership in the company; temporary residency valid for five years, renewable once; minimum 30 months of physical presence in Saudi Arabia required during any five-year period
• Growth-Stage: Minimum investment of SAR 15,000,000 (approx. US$4,000,000); conditional permanent residency available upon creating 10 jobs in the first year and a further 10 in the second

Special Talent Route

Two pathways apply based on the applicant’s field:

• Research, Science, and Healthcare: Minimum bachelor’s degree; at least three years of relevant experience; minimum monthly salary of SAR 14,000 (approx. US$3,733) for researchers or SAR 35,000 (approx. US$9,333) for science and healthcare professionals; three research papers required; employer recommendation letter; eligibility assessed through the Center’s points system
• Executive Professionals: Minimum monthly salary of SAR 80,000 (approx. US$21,333); employer recommendation letter required

Temporary residency valid for five years, renewable once; exemption from the Nitaqat Saudization program applies to both pathways.

Gifted Route

• Outstanding individuals in Olympic sports, football, basketball, combat sports, or artistic and cultural fields including music, writing, design, theater, and cinema
• Recommendation required from the Ministry of Culture or the Ministry of Sports
• Temporary residency valid for five years, renewable once; exemption from the Nitaqat Saudization program applies

Route to Citizenship

Saudi citizenship is extremely rare for foreigners and is granted entirely at the government’s discretion. 

The Saudi Nationality Law of 1954 permits applications from foreigners who have held legal residency for at least ten consecutive years, speak Arabic fluently, hold a profession needed by the country, and are of good conduct, but approvals are assessed through a points-based committee process at ministerial level with no published timeline and no guarantee of outcome.

Since 2021, a separate discretionary route has also been available for highly skilled professionals in fields such as science, medicine, and technology, granted by Royal Decree on a case-by-case basis.

Saudi Arabia does not permit dual nationality. Any foreign national who obtains Saudi citizenship is required to relinquish their prior nationality.

Mobility and Taxation

Mobility

Saudi citizens can access approximately 88 destinations visa-free or visa-on-arrival, including China, Turkey, Thailand, and all GCC member states.

Tax

Saudi Arabia does not impose personal income tax on individuals, and this applies broadly to all residents rather than being tied specifically to the Premium Residency. 

There is no capital gains tax on personal investments and no inheritance or wealth tax. Foreign-owned businesses operating in Saudi Arabia are subject to corporate income tax at 20%. 

Premium Residency holders are exempt from the expatriate dependent levy that applies under standard iqama rules.

How to Apply

The program is administered by the Saudi Premium Residency Center, under the Premium Residency Permit Law as amended by Royal Decree No. M/106 of January 2024. The process typically runs as follows.

• Step 1: Create an account on the official portal and complete the online application with personal, family, financial, and background details.
• Step 2: Select the applicable route and upload all required supporting documents, including a valid passport, criminal record certificate, medical report, proof of financial solvency, and any route-specific documents such as an investment license, property valuation, or employer recommendation letter.
• Step 3: Pay the government application fee of SAR 4,000 (approx. US$1,067) and the initial assessment fee of approximately US$170.
• Step 4: Receive the approval decision; upon approval, arrange comprehensive health insurance for the applicant and all included family members within 30 days.
• Step 5: Pay the applicable residency fee within 30 days of the approval notification and receive the Premium Residency permit for the applicant and all included family members.