Premium Residency in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency programme is the Kingdom’s equivalent of global golden visa schemes, offering long-term or permanent residency to foreign nationals who meet financial, professional, or talent-based criteria. Launched in 2019, the programme has attracted thousands of applicants seeking to establish roots in the rapidly transforming Saudi economy under Vision 2030 without the constraints of traditional employer-sponsored visas, supporting the Kingdom’s investment and talent attraction goals.

Two Tiers of Premium Residency

The programme offers two distinct products. Permanent Premium Residency provides indefinite residency rights for a one-time fee of SAR 800,000 (approximately USD 213,000). This is a lifetime authorization that does not require renewal, though holders must maintain compliance with basic conditions including not being absent from the Kingdom for more than one year continuously.

Renewable Premium Residency provides annual residency authorization for SAR 100,000 per year (approximately USD 26,700). This option suits individuals who want flexibility without the larger upfront commitment. Renewable residency must be renewed annually and carries the same benefits as the permanent tier during its validity period.

Key Benefits

Premium Residency confers a comprehensive set of rights that significantly exceed those of standard Iqama holders. These include the right to own residential and commercial real estate anywhere in the Kingdom except Makkah and Madinah (where 99-year leases are available instead). Premium residents can own and operate businesses without a Saudi partner, sponsor family members for residency, exit and re-enter the Kingdom freely without employer approval, and access public healthcare and education services.

Premium residents are exempt from the kafala (sponsorship) system entirely. They can change employers freely, operate as self-employed professionals, or simply reside in the Kingdom without employment. This independence from employer sponsorship is the most significant distinction from standard work visas and addresses a long-standing concern of foreign professionals in the Gulf region.

Eligibility Criteria

The Premium Residency Center evaluates applications based on several criteria. Financial capacity is the primary consideration, with applicants typically needing to demonstrate net worth exceeding USD 1 million or annual income above a specified threshold. Professional qualifications in fields of strategic importance to the Kingdom, including medicine, engineering, technology, and finance, strengthen applications.

Exceptional talent in arts, sciences, sports, or cultural fields may qualify individuals who do not meet the financial thresholds. Academic researchers, published authors, recognized artists, and elite athletes have been granted Premium Residency under talent-based pathways.

Existing Saudi residents with strong track records of business activity, property ownership, or professional contribution may also apply, leveraging their established presence in the Kingdom.

Property Ownership Rights

One of the most valued benefits is the expanded property ownership right. Premium residents can purchase residential and commercial property directly, without the additional MISA approvals required of standard foreign property buyers. This has made the programme particularly attractive to high-net-worth individuals seeking real estate investment opportunities in Riyadh, Jeddah, and the Kingdom’s mega-development areas.

Property transactions by premium residents increased by over 40 percent year-on-year through 2025, with particular activity in Riyadh’s northern corridor, Jeddah waterfront developments, and units within giga-project communities.

Application Process

Applications are submitted through the Premium Residency Center’s digital portal. Required documentation includes a valid passport, proof of financial capacity (bank statements, investment portfolio documentation, property ownership records), professional qualifications and certifications, a clean criminal record from the applicant’s home country, and a medical fitness certificate.

Processing typically takes four to six weeks from complete submission. The Premium Residency Center may request additional documentation or conduct interviews for complex applications. Approved applicants receive their Premium Residency card, which serves as their identification and residency document within the Kingdom.

Tax Treatment

Premium residents benefit from zero personal income tax on all income, including employment income, rental income, investment returns, and capital gains. Business income earned through a Saudi-registered entity is subject to the standard 20 percent corporate income tax on the foreign-owned share. Property transactions are subject to the 5 percent real estate transaction tax.

Family Benefits

Premium residents can sponsor spouses, children, and parents for dependent residency. Dependents receive their own Premium Residency cards and enjoy equivalent rights including property ownership, school enrollment, and healthcare access. There is no limit on the number of dependents, unlike standard work visas which impose dependent fees and restrictions.

Strategic Context

The Premium Residency programme is a direct response to competition from the UAE’s Golden Visa, Portugal’s residency programmes, and other global mobility schemes. Saudi Arabia’s combination of zero income tax, large market size, Vision 2030 investment opportunities, and competitive residency fees positions the programme attractively for high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and senior professionals seeking long-term presence in the Gulf region. The programme continues to evolve, with the government signaling additional benefits and streamlined processes for future iterations.