Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency: a new level of freedom for investors and entrepreneurs | News
Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency: a new level of freedom for investors and entrepreneurs
Traditional residency-by-investment programs do not always offer investors the desired freedom and advantages. First, residency permits are sometimes only valid for 1-2 years. Second, these permits often do not confer true global freedom of movement or the opportunity to secure a strong second citizenship. Third, investor programs are often plagued by bureaucracy, complex documentation requirements, and lengthy processing times.
In recent years, obtaining a residence permit has become more challenging in many countries due to stricter immigration policies. Investors and entrepreneurs now face quotas, enhanced source-of-funds verification, and, in some cases, restrictions based on nationality. These increasingly demanding requirements have made traditional residency programs less attractive, prompting many applicants to explore alternative immigration pathways that provide greater flexibility for international travel, business activities, and long-term mobility.
As a result, Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency program has emerged as an attractive alternative for international investors and professionals. The program provides a pathway to temporary or permanent residency similar to a Golden Visa, granting holders a range of exclusive rights and benefits.
The program is designed for investors, entrepreneurs, highly skilled professionals, and individuals with exceptional talent. Saudi Arabia views foreign residents as important contributors to its economic development. As a result, the country offers long-term and permanent residency options while easing restrictions on foreign property ownership.
Premium Residency: more than just a residence permit
Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency program is a key component of the country’s “Vision 2030” strategy, which aims to diversify the economy and reduce its dependence on oil revenues. The government sees foreign investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals as valuable sources of capital, expertise, and innovation that can support long-term economic growth. As a result, certain residency categories may be granted on an indefinite basis, providing greater stability and allowing individuals to plan their personal and business activities with confidence for the long term.
The Premium Residency program grants qualified and financially established foreign nationals a range of exclusive benefits, including the ability to live in Saudi Arabia without being tied to a specific employer or local sponsor. In certain cases, applications may be submitted through a legal representative, although applicants must meet the applicable eligibility requirements, including a minimum age of 21.
Premium Residency provides a high degree of flexibility, allowing holders to change jobs, operate businesses, and acquire real estate without many of the restrictions that apply to standard residents. It also offers greater freedom of movement, with no limitations on international travel and, in many cases, no maximum period that a resident may spend outside Saudi Arabia.
Benefits of Premium Residency status
Premium Residency holders are granted a comprehensive suite of rights and opportunities in Saudi Arabia that are typically unavailable to foreign nationals:
· The right to reside in the country with family members, including parents, spouses, and children up to 25 years old;
· Work authorization in the private sector for the resident and their family, as well as the freedom to change employers at their discretion;
· Unlimited entry and exit without prior approval or a visa, and the ability to use immigration lanes designated for Saudi citizens and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals;
· The opportunity to establish and operate businesses with 100% foreign ownership;
· The right to acquire real estate, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties, located outside the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, as well as border regions;
· The option to secure long-term usage rights (leases) for real estate in Mecca and Medina for up to 99 years, which are transferable to other parties;
· Full ownership rights over personal automobiles, other vehicles, and movable property;
· Exemption from personal income tax, as no such tax is levied in the country, supplemented by existing agreements for the avoidance of double taxation with numerous nations;
· Easier access to banking services and the opportunity to attract investment for business ventures, including startups.
Additionally, Premium Residency holders are authorized to hire domestic staff and sponsor visitor visas for their relatives.
Why 2026 will be a turning point
Since its launch, the Premium Residency program attracted relatively limited interest because it initially offered only two routes to temporary or permanent residency, both of which required a substantial financial contribution. In 2019, just 73 foreign nationals obtained residency through the program. Between 2020 and 2023, no official statistics were published, likely due to the low number of applications.
However, Saudi Arabia relaunched the program in early 2024, adding 5 new categories, including options for highly qualified professionals and real estate owners. That same year, the authorities issued a record number of residency permits: 8,074. The total number of applications submitted between January 2024 and July 2025 exceeded 40,000.
Through these efforts, Saudi Arabia is seeking to replicate the UAE’s successful economic diversification model. Over the past decade, the UAE has transformed into a global business hub thanks to streamlined company registration procedures and more than 40 free zones offering attractive tax incentives. Today, foreign residents outnumber Emirati citizens, reflecting the country’s ability to attract international talent, investment, and entrepreneurship—key drivers of its economic growth.
Interest in the Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, continues to grow. As a result, iWorld experts expect 2026 to be a landmark year for the Kingdom in terms of both immigration and economic development. This trend is already evident in the increasing number of inquiries the firm receives from investors, entrepreneurs, and individuals interested in relocating to Saudi Arabia.
Who is choosing Premium Residency today?
Before 2025, interest in Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency program was primarily driven by skilled professionals and exceptionally talented individuals, such as athletes and musicians. Currently, however, investors and entrepreneurs are showing keen interest in the country, a trend characterized by rapidly accelerating demand.
Investors view Saudi Arabia as a reliable jurisdiction for preserving and growing their assets. As of 2025, the country ranks among the top 10 most stable economies in the world. The government encourages investment in infrastructure, tourism, entertainment, renewable energy, technology, and healthcare.
Entrepreneurs often choose Saudi Arabia as a base for accessing the Middle Eastern market and the wider MENA region. Historically, many economies in the region were relatively difficult for foreign businesses to enter. Today, however, foreign nationals can establish companies in Saudi Arabia and use them to conduct business across the region, benefiting from the credibility and market access associated with a Saudi-registered entity.
The Premium Residency program is popular among high-net-worth individuals looking to diversify their assets. Through this program, foreigners can fully own businesses in Saudi Arabia without the need for a local partner, purchase real estate, and remain exempt from personal income tax.
Top-tier executives and highly skilled professionals are drawn to the country to work with major international corporations operating across the MENA region. Typically, a bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of professional experience are sufficient to secure employment and qualify for Premium Residency. Applications are accepted from top executives, researchers, medical professionals, and scientists.
How to obtain premium residency in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia offers 8 options for obtaining premium residency, each tailored to different categories of applicants:
· Investors — Indefinite Residency: a non-refundable investment of SAR 800,000 (approximately USD 213,290) is required;
· Investors — 1-Year Residency: a contribution of SAR 100,000 (approximately USD 26,660) is required. This fee must be paid annually to renew residency status;
· Highly Skilled Professionals — 5-Year Residency: applicants must provide proof of work experience and education and sign an employment contract. For researchers, the minimum salary is SAR 14,000 (USD 3,733). For medical professionals or scientists, the minimum salary is SAR 35,000 (USD 9,332). For top-level executives, the minimum salary is SAR 80,000 (USD 21,330);
· Talents — 5-Year Residency: this program is suitable for outstanding athletes, artists, and other talented individuals. To qualify, applicants must have received an award or nomination from the Ministry of Culture or the Ministry of Sports, as well as a recommendation from the relevant specialized authority;
· Business Investors — Indefinite Residency: it requires establishing a proprietary company and obtaining a business license. The investor must also commit to investing a minimum of SAR 7 million (USD 1.866 million) into the business and creating at least 10 jobs within the first 2 years;
· Entrepreneurs – 5-year residency: this requires establishing a company and securing investment from an accredited entity totaling at least SAR 400,000 (USD 106,644). The applicant must hold at least a 20% equity stake in the business. 2 of the company’s employees are also eligible for residency, and the business is exempt from taxes for 3 years;
· Entrepreneurs — Indefinite Residency: in this case, it is necessary to secure a minimum of SAR 15 million (approximately USD 4 million) in funding from an accredited entity. The applicant must hold at least a 10% equity stake in the company. The entrepreneur must create 10 jobs during the first year and an equal number during the second year;
· Real Estate Owners — Residency for the Duration of Ownership: this applies to completed residential properties valued at SAR 4 million (approximately USD 1.066 million) or more. The property may be purchased or leased for personal use.
According to a iWorld expert:
Among iWorld’s clients today, there is the greatest interest in obtaining Saudi Arabian permanent residency through non-refundable investment, as well as in securing residency through real estate ownership. For potential investors, these represent the most straightforward, advantageous, and low-risk avenues for capital investment.
How to apply for a Premium Residency status?
Applicants must complete a step-by-step process to obtain Premium Residency status:
1. Document preparation – required documents include a passport, passport-style photographs, bank statements, a criminal record certificate, a medical certificate, and, if applicable, marriage or birth certificates for children. Lawyers handle translating these documents into Arabic and legally certifying them.
2. Registration on the Official Premium Residency Portal. The application process is available in English.
3. Selection of program category — for instance, obtaining indefinite residency requires selecting the “Unlimited Duration Premium Residency” option.
4. Completion of the application form – requires providing personal details, contact information, and family details (parents, spouse, and children). Once all information has been verified, the lawyers will upload the previously prepared documents and confirm submission of the application.
5. Awaiting a decision — the review of the application typically takes one to two weeks. Following this review, a “pre-approval” is issued.
6. Payment of the fixed fee — this payment must be made within 30 days of receiving pre-approval. Payment can be made online via the portal or via bank transfer. For most categories, the fee amounts to SAR 4,000 (approximately USD 1,067). However, investors must pay either SAR 100,000 or SAR 800,000 at this stage. The applicant must also obtain health insurance.
7. Final verification — the application dossier undergoes a final review. Subsequently, a digital confirmation, the Premium Residency ID, is issued and serves as the basis for entering the country.
8. Arrival in Saudi Arabia — upon arrival, the applicant must submit their biometric data (fingerprints and photographs). After this step, the Permanent Residency ID, a physical residency card, is issued.
The application does not need to be submitted in person. An authorized representative, such as a lawyer may file it. Family members can be included in the same application, and eligible dependents may also obtain the right to work in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s prospects for investors — and beyond
The country is currently undergoing major economic and regulatory reforms, creating new opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals.
Starting in 2026, foreign nationals will be allowed to buy residential and commercial real estate in Riyadh and Jeddah. Previously, the Saudi real estate market was completely closed to non-residents.
Since the announcement in mid-2025 that restrictions on foreign real estate ownership would be lifted, property prices in Riyadh have risen sharply. According to JLL data, villa prices have increased by 15.1%, while apartment prices have grown by 13.3%. Rental rates have also moved higher, rising by 13.9% for villas and 6.9% for apartments.
iWorld experts expect the Saudi real estate market to continue expanding and believe that property ownership could become one of the main routes to obtaining residency in the Kingdom. Many foreign investors view this opportunity as a chance to establish an early presence in a rapidly growing and highly promising market.
Beyond real estate, Saudi Arabia as a whole presents an attractive destination for foreign capital. According to SAB data, the volume of foreign direct investment into the country rose by 24.2% in 2024.
Additionally, the government has repealed a legal provision that previously prevented foreign nationals holding Premium Residency status from becoming eligible for Saudi citizenship. As a result, some experts believe Saudi Arabia could eventually become the first country in the Gulf region to introduce a clearer investment-linked pathway to naturalization. This view is supported by the scale of the Kingdom’s economic transformation, its long-term development potential, and the ambitious foreign investment targets set out in the Vision 2030 strategy. While no such program currently exists, investors who reside in Saudi Arabia for at least 10 years may potentially qualify for citizenship through the standard naturalization process, subject to meeting all legal requirements.
iWorld: comprehensive legal support for the Premium Residency applications
Saudi Arabia offers several immigration options under the Premium Residency program. However, the key question for those with a genuine interest is which format best aligns with their specific goals.
Experience has shown that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each residency option is designed to meet different needs and objectives. For this reason, iWorld’s legal experts begin by carefully assessing each client’s goals, professional background, and financial circumstances before recommending the most suitable program.
To maximize the chances of a smooth and timely approval, it is essential to prepare all documentation correctly and ensure that government fees are paid on schedule. iWorld’s legal team manages the entire process, including document collection and submission, obtaining required certificates, and arranging translations and legalization where necessary. The firm also handles communication with the relevant government authorities on the client’s behalf, ensuring that every stage of the application is managed efficiently and professionally.
Indeed, experience shows that an ideal application dossier often requires more supporting documents than are strictly mandated by law. Based on our expertise, we can confidently say that this proactive approach minimizes the likelihood of rejection.
iWorld is a legal firm dedicated to assisting clients with not only immigration matters, but also a wide range of investment and corporate objectives, including:
· Identifying suitable investment solutions;
· Facilitating real estate transactions;
· Registering international companies and securing business licenses;
· Arranging cross-border financial transfers.
For many clients, residency is just one element of a broader strategy that includes investment planning, asset diversification, and building an international presence. iWorld’s team is experienced in helping clients achieve these more complex objectives, providing tailored solutions that align with their long-term personal and business goals.
