Everything You Need to Know About the Saudi Premium Residency

Investment and job opportunities in Saudi Arabia's largest companies have been increasing and diversifying in recent years. Many people are seeking investment opportunities in KSA, while numerous young individuals are looking for jobs in Saudi Arabia. Recognizing this, Saudi Arabia has created the Premium Residency program to attract top talent and skilled professionals.

 

What is Saudi Premium Residency?

The Saudi Premium Residency program, also known as the Saudi Green Card, was launched to provide skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors the opportunity to live, work, and own businesses or property in Saudi Arabia. Introduced in 2019, the Premium Residency program aims to grow and diversify the Saudi economy while reducing trade manipulation that may occur when a foreigner exploits a Saudi or non-Saudi citizen with a work license. The premium residency allows the holder to stay in Saudi Arabia for one year or more, depending on the residency type.

 

What are the Saudi Premium Residency Products?

Saudi Arabia initially launched two premium residency products in 2019: limited duration premium residency and unlimited duration premium residency. In January 2024, five additional products were released. Now, there are seven products available under the Premium Residency program.

 

• Limited Duration Premium Residency

The Limited Duration Premium Residency is considered the simplest in terms of conditions, requiring no additional documents or standards compared to other types. This option is designed for those residing in Saudi Arabia for short-term assignments, projects, or endeavors. It is also ideal for individuals who want to experience the country's daily life, business landscape, and investment potential before committing to permanent residency.

Residence Duration: One year, renewable for a maximum of five years.

Fees: 100,000 Saudi Riyals per year (with a 2% cumulative reduction if you apply for more than one year and pay the fees in advance).

 

• Unlimited Duration Premium Residency

The Unlimited Duration Premium Residency is aimed at individuals looking to establish permanent roots in Saudi Arabia and enjoy all the benefits of residency indefinitely.

Residence Duration: Permanent residence.

Fees: 800,000 Saudi Riyals (one-time payment).

 

• Real Estate Owner Residency

This type of residency is suitable for investors interested in the real estate market who do not have businesses but want to invest in Saudi Arabia.

Eligibility

The Investor Residency has specific eligibility requirements, including:

- Owning or having usufruct rights to real estate worth at least SAR 4,000,000 in Saudi Arabia.

- The property must be free from current and future mortgages.

- The real estate property or properties must be residential.

- The property should not be associated with real estate financing.

- The real estate property must be developed and not from undeveloped or unimproved land.

- The real estate must be appraised by an accredited valuer from the Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers.

Residence Duration:

The duration of the Real Estate Owner Residency is linked to real estate ownership.

Fees: 4,000 Saudi Riyals plus the ownership or use of a residential property or group of properties, with a total value of at least four million Saudi Riyals.

 

• Investor Residency

The Investor Residency is ideal for investors who want to conduct business and make investments in Saudi Arabia.

 

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Investor Residency, you must:

- Hold a valid investment license issued by the Ministry of Investment for an investment of at least SAR 7,000,000 (as the applicant’s share) in economic activities in Saudi Arabia.

- Hold a valid Commercial Registration.

- Have a Memorandum of Association showing your investor shares.

 

Duration

The Investor Residency is available as a 5-year term, a renewable term, or as a permanent residency (conditional in the first two years). The duration you are eligible for depends on the value of your investment.

 

Renewal and Permanent Residency

The Investor Residency has an advantage over other Premium Residencies as there is a path to directly obtain Saudi permanent residency. To achieve permanent residency, you will need to inject a minimum of SAR 7,000,000 and create at least 10 jobs during the first two years of your residency.

 

• Entrepreneur Residency

The Entrepreneur Residency is designed for entrepreneurs, startup owners, and innovators who want to launch and/or develop their startups and contribute to various sectors in Saudi Arabia.

 

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for the Entrepreneur Residency differ depending on the category you belong to:

First Category

• An entrepreneur license from the Ministry of Investment.
• A minimum investment of SAR 400,000 from an entity accredited by the Ministry of Investment.
• A recommendation letter from your investment entity.
• A minimum of a 20% share in the company.

Second Category

• An entrepreneur license from the Ministry of Investment.
• A minimum investment of SAR 15,000,000 from an entity accredited by the Ministry of Investment.
• A recommendation letter from your investment entity.
• A minimum of a 10% share in the startup company.
• Creation of at least 10 jobs in the first year and an additional 10 jobs in the second year.

 

Residence Duration

First Category

Recipients will receive a fixed-term residency for five years. The residency is renewable for one additional term, provided you have continually adhered to the eligibility standards and have resided in Saudi Arabia for a minimum of 30 months during the 5-year period.

Second Category

This category provides a pathway to permanent residency. Recipients will achieve permanent residency as long as they create a minimum of 10 jobs in the first year and an additional 10 jobs in the second year.

 

• Special Talent Residency​

 

Special Talent Residency is designed for executive leadership, healthcare, science, and research professionals who are exceptional in their fields and contribute to the improvement of local capabilities and the exchange of knowledge.

 

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for Special Talent Residency differ depending on the role:

Researchers

• An employment contract from an approved entity with priority specialization.
• A monthly wage of at least SAR 14,000.
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
• A minimum of three years’ work experience in a relevant field.
• A recommendation letter from your employer.
• At least three pieces of research in the relevant field.
• The minimum score in the points system.

 

Healthcare and Scientific Professionals

• An employment contract from an approved entity with priority specialization.
• A monthly wage of at least SAR 35,000.
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
• The minimum score in the points system.
• A recommendation letter from your employer.
• A minimum of three years’ work experience in a relevant field.

Executives

• An employment contract for executives at Level 1 or 2.
• A monthly wage of at least SAR 80,000.
• A recommendation letter from your employer (Level 2).

 

Residence Duration

• 5-Year Fixed-Term: Residency can be renewed for up to one additional term if you meet the eligibility criteria.
• Renewal and Permanent Residency: If you meet the requirements, you may also apply for a permanent visa to Saudi Arabia.

Fees: 4,000 Saudi Riyals.

 

• Gifted Residency

This type of residency is designed for skilled professionals and talented individuals in the cultural and sports sectors.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for Gifted Residency differ depending on the category you belong to:

First Category

• Nominated for or a recipient of a specified exceptional award.
• A recommendation from the Ministry of Culture or the Ministry of Sport, based on your field.
• Meeting the minimum financial capability.

Second Category

• Fulfilling the minimum eligibility criteria approved by the Ministry of Culture or Ministry of Sport.
• A recommendation from the Ministry of Culture or the Ministry of Sport, based on your field.
• Meeting the minimum financial capability.

Residence Duration

• 5-Year Fixed-Term: The residency can be renewed once, provided you have been a resident in the Kingdom for at least 30 months during the 5-year term.

• Renewal and Permanent Residency: If you meet the requirements and have an endorsement from the Ministry of Culture or the Ministry of Sport, you can apply for permanent residency.

Fees: 4,000 Saudi Riyals.

 

Required documents for Saudi Premium Residency application

There are specific pieces of documentation you will need when applying for Saudi Premium Residency, including:

Passport copies

• You will need clear copies of your passport, specifically the passport pages containing personal information and validity dates.

Personal photos

• You will need two passport-sized photographs taken recently (within the last six months) that are clearly identifiable as you. The photos should be in color and taken against a white background and should be clear, in focus, and with even lighting and exposure.

 

Proof of financial capacity

You will need to provide proof of your finances that are certified by the authorized Saudi diplomatic mission, such as:

• Certified proof of income (for employees).

• A certified copy of your company’s commercial registration document (for investors).

• An audited and sealed financial statement from a certified public accountant from the last two years (for investors).

• Investment portfolios.

• A bank statement from the last 12 months.

 

Medical report

• You will need to provide a certificated medical report from an authorized healthcare provider confirming you are in good health and do not have any contagious diseases.

Proof of address

• You will need to provide proof of your current address, for example, a utility bill.

 

If you include any family members in your application, you will also need to provide copies of their passports, passport-sized photographs, and certified medical reports.

The required documents can be submitted in Arabic or English. If the required documents are issued in other languages, you can provide them with certified translation.

 

Applying for Saudi Arabia Premium Residency

The application steps for Saudi Arabia Premium Residency vary depending on the type of residency, but all applications can be submitted through the Premium Residence Centre. You can apply yourself or appoint someone to handle the necessary procedures on your behalf.

Steps to Apply:

1. Create an Account: Register on the official portal of the Premium Residence Centre.

2. Fill Out the Application Form: Complete the online application form with accurate and detailed information, including personal data, passport information, personal photos, and family member details.

3. Upload Required Documents: Submit all necessary documents as specified in the application form.

4. Pay the Application Fee: Pay the application fee of $170.

5. Follow Up: Monitor your application status and provide any additional documents if requested.

 

How Can You Benefit from Premium Residency?

The primary advantage of premium residency is the availability of long-term residency in Saudi Arabia under various conditions, depending on the type of residency. Individuals can benefit from employment in the private sector, invest in the stock market, and manage their businesses within the Kingdom. Additionally, they can own cars, private means of transportation, and real estate.

Property ownership is permitted for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes in any area, except Mecca, Medina, and border areas, where contracts are usufruct for a maximum of 99 years. The residency holder enjoys privileges similar to those of a Saudi citizen, such as using the citizen corridors at Saudi airports and accessing public services like healthcare and education.

The residency holder can also include family members, such as parents, spouse, and children under the age of 25, in their residency. Unmarried girls and boys with special needs are excluded from the age requirement. These family members are entitled to all the benefits enjoyed by the primary premium residency holder, which continue even after the holder's death. For non-first-degree relatives, such as grandchildren, siblings, and great-nephews, the residency holder can issue visit visas. Moreover, it is possible to bring in foreign domestic workers and sponsor their residency in Saudi Arabia.

 

 How Can TASC Support You in Obtaining Premium Residency?

Premium Residency conditions are diverse and varied, meaning you may be eligible for more than one type. Additionally, as Premium Residency is a new program, it may undergo updates in the future. Partnering with TASC, a company with over 16 years of experience in Saudi business and global operations, can simplify the complex process of obtaining special residency in Saudi Arabia.

Contact us now to discover how we can assist you step by step with every residency

procedure.