In a strategic push to cement its status as a global hub for innovation and investment, Saudi Arabia has granted Premium Residency to more than 100 entrepreneurs representing over 20 nationalities. The announcement, made at the Biban Forum 2025 in Riyadh, underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to attracting talent and nurturing a competitive, sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Biban Forum 2025 – A platform for innovation
The Biban Forum 2025, organised by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at) at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre, brought together entrepreneurs, business owners, and investment experts under the theme “A Global Destination for Opportunities.” The forum serves as a central platform to support start-ups, facilitate knowledge exchange, and create pathways for business growth both within the Kingdom and internationally. It is part of a broader strategy to position Saudi Arabia as a leading destination for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneur residency
The Premium Residency Center awarded the Entrepreneur Residency, one of its flagship programmes, to over 100 founders of technology-driven and innovative start-ups. This residency is specifically designed for entrepreneurs seeking to develop and expand their ventures in Saudi Arabia. By attracting such talent, the initiative aims to strengthen the national economy and generate high-value job opportunities, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.The Center emphasised that granting Premium Residency to these entrepreneurs reflects the Kingdom’s dedication to fostering a thriving ecosystem where creative minds can scale their businesses within a competitive and sustainable environment.
Premium residency
The Premium Residency Center offers seven distinct residency products, each tailored to a specific category of talent and investment:
- Special Talent Residency (Exceptional Competence Residency)
- Gifted Residency (Talent Residency)
- Investor Residency (Business Investor Residency)
- Entrepreneur Residency
- Real Estate Owner Residency (Property Owner Residency)
- Limited Duration Residency
- Unlimited Duration Residency
These residencies provide holders with a broad spectrum of benefits, including the right to reside in Saudi Arabia with family members, conduct business, own property, and invite relatives. Each product is designed to facilitate long-term settlement, professional growth, and economic contribution, thereby reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a welcoming destination for global innovators and investors.
Strategic vision
The Premium Residency initiative is more than a residency programme; it is a strategic instrument to bolster the Kingdom’s entrepreneurial and investment landscape. By attracting international talent and enabling the expansion of tech-driven enterprises, Saudi Arabia aims to achieve several interlinked goals:
- Enhance competitiveness within the local economy
- Foster a sustainable, innovation-led growth model
- Create high-quality employment opportunities
- Support the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030
The Entrepreneur Residency, alongside the other six residency products, forms a cornerstone of this strategy, illustrating a deliberate effort to combine talent attraction with economic development.
