TL;DR
- No Sponsor Needed: Live, work, own property, and invest in Saudi Arabia without a kafeel (local sponsor).
- 7 Residency Options: Tailored for investors, entrepreneurs, talents, property owners, and more.
- Family Included: Spouse, kids under 25, and parents can live with you.
- Tax-Free Income: No personal income tax on salaries and wages.
- Permanent Residency Available: Some tracks lead directly or eventually to lifetime residency.
Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency Program, launched in 2019, is one of the most ambitious residency frameworks in the region. As part of Vision 2030, it aims to diversify the economy away from oil, attract global talent, and turn the Kingdom into a world-class destination for investment, innovation, and culture.Unlike traditional visas, the Premium Residency eliminates the need for a local sponsor (kafeel), granting expatriates and their families full freedom to live, work, invest, and own property in the Kingdom, with the added possibility of obtaining permanent residency.Here’s everything you need to know about the new Premium Residency products available in 2025, including benefits, eligibility requirements, application fees, and more.
Overview of the Saudi Premium Residency Program
Administered by the Saudi Premium Residency Center, the program includes seven distinct residency products, each tailored to specific profiles: investors, entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, creatives, and property owners. Each product comes with its own eligibility criteria, benefits, residency duration, and one-time application fee.
Key Shared Benefits Across All Premium Residency Products
- Live in Saudi Arabia with family members, including spouse, children under 25, and parents.
- Freedom to work in the private sector and move between establishments.
- Exemption from expat fees (applicable to the holder and dependents).
- Unrestricted entry and exit without needing visas for the holder and family.
- Right to own and usufruct real estate.
- Access to visa services for visiting relatives.
- Use of fast-track airport lanes dedicated to Saudi and GCC citizens.
- Conduct business in accordance with The Investment Law.
- Permission to apply for visit visas for other relatives.
- No personal income tax on salaries and wages, offering significant tax advantages for residents.
Saudi Premium Residency products and eligibility
The Saudi Premium Residency Program offers multiple pathways to residency tailored to professionals, investors, entrepreneurs, creatives, and property owners. Each product has specific eligibility, benefits, and duration criteria.
1. Special Talent Residency
Target Group: Executives, researchers, healthcare, and scientific professionals Special Benefits:
- Eligibility for permanent residency upon meeting conditions
- Exemption from the Nitaqat (Saudization) program
Eligibility:A. Researchers:
- Contract with a whitelisted entity in a priority specialization
- Minimum salary: SAR 14,000 (~USD 3,730/month)
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
- ≥ 3 years of related experience
- ≥ 3 peer-reviewed publications
- Employer recommendation
- Meet minimum score in points system
B. Healthcare/Scientific Professionals:
- Contract with a whitelisted entity in a priority specialization
- Minimum salary: SAR 35,000 (~USD 9,330/month)
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
- ≥ 3 years of related experience
- Employer recommendation
- Meet minimum score in points system
C. Executives:
- Contracted in an executive role at Level 1 or 2
- Minimum salary: SAR 80,000 (~USD 21,330/month)
- Employer recommendation
Residency Duration:
- 5-year fixed term, renewable once
- Permanent residency available after 30 months of residence within 5 years
- One-time Fee: SAR 4,000 (~USD 1,065)
2. Gifted Residency
Target Group: Talents in arts, culture, and sports Special Benefits:
- Potential for permanent residency with ministry endorsement
- Exemption from the Nitaqat (Saudization) program
Eligibility:First Category:
- Recipient or nominee of a recognized prestigious award
- Recommendation from the Ministry of Culture or Ministry of Sports
- Proof of financial sustainability
Second Category:
- Meet ministry-approved eligibility standards
- Recommendation from relevant Ministry
- Proof of financial sustainability
Residency Duration:
- 5-year fixed term, renewable once
- Permanent residency possible after 30 months in 5 years, with ministry endorsement
- One-time Fee: SAR 4,000 (~USD 1,065)
3. Investor Residency
Target Group: High-net-worth individuals investing in Saudi businesses Special Benefits:
- Direct path to permanent residency upon fulfilling conditions
Eligibility:
- Valid investment license from Ministry of Investment
- Minimum equity investment: SAR 7 million (~USD 1.87 million)
- Valid Commercial Registration
- Memorandum of Association indicating investor shares
Residency Duration:
- Permanent residency granted upon:
- Investing SAR 7 million within first 2 years
- Creating at least 10 jobs within that same period
- One-time Fee: SAR 4,000 (~USD 1,065)
4. Entrepreneur Residency
Target Group: Startup founders and innovation-driven entrepreneurs Special Benefits:
- Ability to nominate two employees for Special Talent Residency without meeting its eligibility criteria
- Exemption from Nitaqat for the first 3 years
- Direct permanent residency pathway for high-performing entrepreneurs (2nd category)
Eligibility: First Category:
- Entrepreneur license from Ministry of Investment
- Raised ≥ SAR 400,000 (~USD 106,500) from an accredited investor
- ≥ 20% equity ownership
- Investor recommendation
Second Category:
- Entrepreneur license from Ministry of Investment
- Raised ≥ SAR 15 million (~USD 4 million) from an accredited investor
- ≥ 10% equity ownership
- Create 10 jobs in Year 1 and 10 more in Year 2
- Investor recommendation
Residency Duration:
- First Category: 5-year fixed term, renewable once
- Second Category: Permanent residency, upon job creation fulfillment
- One-time Fee: SAR 4,000 (~USD 1,065)
5. Real Estate Owner Residency
Target Group: Owners of high-value residential propertiesSpecial Benefits:
- Residency directly tied to continued ownership of qualifying real estate
Eligibility:
- Own or hold usufruct of residential property worth ≥ SAR 4 million (~USD 1.07 million)
- Property must:
- Be developed and residential
- Be free of existing or future mortgages
- Be appraised by accredited valuers (Taqeem)
Residency Duration:
- Valid as long as property continues to meet eligibility criteria
- One-time Fee: SAR 4,000 (~USD 1,065)
6. Limited Duration Premium Residency
Target Group: Individuals seeking temporary, renewable residency (business, trial living, etc.)Special Benefits:
- Flexible, short- to medium-term residency with full access to Premium Residency benefits
Eligibility:
- Proof of financial capability
- Valid passport with ≥ 6 months remaining
- Compliance with general residency criteria
Residency Duration:
- 1 to 5 years, fixed term
- Renewable annually
- Fee: SAR 100,000/year (~USD 26,660/year)
7. Unlimited Duration Premium Residency
Target Group: Individuals seeking lifetime residency in Saudi ArabiaSpecial Benefits:
- Permanent residency with no renewal requirement
Eligibility:
- Proof of financial capability
- Valid passport with ≥ 6 months remaining
- Compliance with general residency criteria
Residency Duration:
- Permanent (lifetime)
- One-time Fee: SAR 800,000 (~USD 213,300)
Living in Saudi Arabia as a Premium Residency Holder
As a Premium Residency holder, you gain full access to Saudi Arabia’s growing network of modern amenities and infrastructure. You can live in secure gated communities, luxury residences, or city-center apartments, with the legal right to own or usufruct property. International schools with globally recognized curricula cater to families, while advanced public and private healthcare facilities offer affordable, high-quality medical services.Major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam feature global retail outlets, fine dining, and comprehensive transport networks. Residents benefit from exclusive airport lanes, visa-free re-entry, and streamlined mobility within the Kingdom.For leisure, the country hosts large-scale events like Riyadh Season and Jeddah Season, alongside access to Red Sea beaches, desert excursions, and cultural heritage sites. The cost of living remains competitive, and with no personal income tax, residents enjoy stronger savings potential.Premium Residency offers not just legal stability, but full access to a high-comfort, globally connected lifestyle.Q. Who can apply for Premium Residency? Anyone meeting the financial, professional, or investment criteria, including businesspeople, skilled professionals, and property owners.Q. Do I need a job offer or Saudi sponsor? No, Premium Residency removes the need for a local sponsor or employer.Q. Can I bring my family? Yes, your spouse, children under 25, and parents can all live with you in Saudi Arabia.Q. How much does it cost? Fees range from SAR 4,000 (~USD 1,065) for most products to SAR 800,000 (~USD 213,300) for lifetime residency.Q. Can I become a permanent resident? Yes, several residency types lead to permanent residency if you meet certain conditions (like investment, job creation, or ministry endorsement).
