Visa

All You Need To Know About Saudi Arabia Premium Residency Visa

Posted on by Chidiebere Onuoha

The Saudi Premium Residency visa, also known as Saudi Green Card, enables skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors to live, work, and own businesses or properties in Saudi Arabia. It was designed for professionals and investors who wish to live in Saudi Arabia. It aims to promote economic growth and cultural exchange. This focuses on exceptional professionals who can contribute to the development and growth of Saudi Arabia.

The Premium Residency Visa was launched in 2019. This came as a need to grow and diversify the Saudi economy beyond oil and promote economic growth.

Saudi Premium Residency Visa Benefits

The Saudi Premium residency visa welcomes a lot of benefits for interested and qualified individuals from all around the world. It encourages people to live, work and invest in Saudi Arabia. Some of the benefits includes:

  • Eligibility for permanent residency
  • Business opportunities
  • Visa-free entry and exit
  • Family residency
  • Property ownership

Eligibility for permanent residency

Premium Residency holders with a minimum of one time may be able to apply for permanent residency in Saudi Arabia. To be eligible for permanent residency, you need to be a resident of Saudi Arabia for at least 30 months within five consecutive or non-consecutive years.

Business opportunities

Holders of premium residency visas can start and manage businesses in Saudi Arabia, contributing to economic growth and job creation. Saudi Premium Residency gives holders access to a rich market and allows you to partake in various sectors without the need for a local sponsor.

Visa-free entry and exit

Residents that are Saudi premium residency holders, have unrestricted entry and exit privileges. This allows them to travel in and out of Saudi Arabia without needing to apply for a visa. It allows unlimited international travel for business, leisure, or personal reasons. Upon return to Saudi Arabia, Premium Residency holders can use the fast lanes designated for residents.

Family residency

Immediate family members of premium residency holders can apply for a residence permit in Saudi Arabia. This allows them the right to live, work, and invest in Saudi Arabi. Family members can also exit and return to Saudi without a visa. Additionally, premium residents are entitled to apply for visitor visas for any relatives planning to visit them in Saudi.

Property ownership

Holders of this visa are allowed to own residential, commercial, and industrial properties in Saudi Arabia.

Eligibility criteria

To qualify for the Saudi Premium Residency Visa, the following conditions must be met:

  • You must be at least 21 years at the time of application
  • You must have a clean criminal record
  • You must be healthy
  • You must possess sufficient funds

The eligible dependents for the Saudi Arabia Premium Residency are:

  • Legally recognized Spouses
  • Children under the age of 25
  • Dependent parents: Proof of dependency and financial support must be provided.

Types of Saudi Premium Residency visas

The Premium Residency Saudi Arabia program has seven pathways. It was designed to accommodate different needs.

1. Special Talent Residency​

This premium residency pathway was designed for professionals in executive leadership, healthcare, science, and research. The professional must be exceptional in their field and be able to contribute to the development of local capabilities and the exchange of knowledge. Eligibility for this pathway is dependent on profession. The duration for this pathway is a 5-year fixed-term residency. You can apply for permanent residency if you meet the conditions, and the renewal for one term is possible. The application fee is SAR 4,000.

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).

2. Gifted residency

This pathway was designed for skilled professionals and talented individuals in the cultural and sports sectors. Eligibility depends on the category you belong to. The Gifted Residency allows a fixed-term residency of 5 years. The application fee is SAR 4,000.

A – 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.
  • You meet the minimum financial capability.

B – Second Category

  • You fulfill 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.
  • You meet the minimum financial capability.

3. Investor residency

Investor Residency is targeted at investors who want to conduct business and make investments in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and offers good investment opportunities which has set her on the spotlight for investors. The application fee is SAR 4,000.

Eligibility

To be considered for this pathway, 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 duration of the investors residency is juicy as it offers 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.

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.

4. Entrepreneur residency

The Entrepreneur Residency is aimed at startup owners, and innovators who want to launch and/or develop their start-up companies in Saudi Arabia. Entrepreneur residents can nominate two members of staff for the Special Talent Residency. These staff members are exempt from the residency eligibility criteria. The Entrepreneur Residency is designed to encourage the Kingdom’s economic transformation journey. The eligibility criteria for the Entrepreneur Residency differs depending on the type of category you belong to. The application fee is SAR 4,000.

First category

  • An entrepreneur license from the Ministry of Investment.
  • A minimum of SAR 400,000 as an investment from an entity that is accredited with 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.
  • An entity accredited with the Ministry of Investment must invest a minimum of SAR 15,000,000.
  • A recommendation letter from your investment entity.
  • A minimum of a 10% share in the start-up company.
  • You must create a minimum of 10 jobs during the first year and a minimum of 10 additional jobs in the second year.

Duration

First-Category Residents

Fixed-term residency for five years.

Second-Category Residents

Pathway to permanent residency.

Renewal and permanent residency

First-category residents

The residency is renewable for one term, as long as you have adhered to the eligibility standards and hold residency for a minimum of 30 months in the 5-year period.

Second-category residents

Eligible for permanent residency, as long as they create a minimum of 10 jobs in the first year and 10 jobs the following year.

5. Real Estate Owner Residency

This pathway targets foreign real estate owners in Saudi Arabia who also wish to obtain residency in the country. It allows them to benefit from the growing real estate market while also enjoying Saudi’s high quality of life. The real estate ownership determines the duration of Real Estate Owner Residency. As long as you maintain ownership of the property and continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the Real Estate Owner Premium Residency, you can renew your residency indefinitely. The application fee is SAR 4,000.

Eligibility

The real estate owner residency pathway includes:

  • You own or usufruct real estate of at least SAR 4,000,000 in Saudi Arabia.
  • The property you own, or usufruct is free from current and future mortgages.
  • The real estate property or properties must be residential.
  • The property is not associated with real estate financing.
  • The real estate property must be developed. It should not be from undeveloped or unimproved land.
  • The real estate must be appraised by an accredited valuer from the Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers.

6. Limited Duration Premium Residency

The Limited Duration Premium Residency allows temporary residency for individuals who meet specific eligibility criteria. It targets those residing in Saudi Arabia for short-term assignments, projects, or endeavors. This pathway is recommended to investors or entrepreneurs looking to undertake short-term investment ventures in Saudi Arabia. Individuals who want to experience the country’s daily life, business landscape, and investment potential before committing to permanent residency opt for this. The applicant’s circumstance determine the duration of this residency, with the possibility of extension or renewal. A fixed residency of between one year and five years is available. The application fee is SAR 100,000.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for limited duration premium residency includes:

  • You must have a valid reason for seeking temporary residency, such as employment, business ventures, education, or medical treatment.
  • You must comply with the general eligibility requirements for Saudi Premium Residency.

7. Unlimited Duration Premium Residency

The Unlimited Duration Premium Residency offers permanent residency status to eligible individuals. This pathway targets those looking to establish permanent roots in Saudi Arabia and enjoy all the benefits of residency indefinitely. The Unlimited Duration Premium Residency allows foreign citizens to fully integrate into Saudi society and contribute to the country’s growth and development. The application fee is SAR 800,000.

Eligibility

  • You will need to invest a certain amount of capital to demonstrate your contribution to the Saudi economy through business ventures, investments, or other means.
  • You must follow the general eligibility requirements for Premium Residency.

Since the Unlimited Duration Premium Residency offers permanent residency, you are eligible to stay in Saudi Arabia indefinitely. This type of residency permit typically does not have an expiration date

Required documents for Saudi Premium Residency application

  • Passport copies
  • Proof of financial capacity
  • Your Saudi Iqama Number: You will need to provide this if you are currently in the country or if you have previously had an Iqama.
  • Medical report
  • Proof of address
  • Previous visas

How to apply for Saudi Premium Residency Visa

  • Visit the official website designated for Premium Residency applications and create a user account. Provide accurate personal information and create login credentials.
  • Fill out the online application form with detailed, accurate information for required sections. Includes: employment, personal background education and any other information.
  • Scan and upload all required documents according to guidelines.
  • Pay the designated application fee through the online portal using the accepted payment methods.
  • Carefully review all entered information and uploaded documents to ensure they are accurate. If satisfied, submit your application through the online portal. Keep a record of your application reference number for future reference.
  • Await confirmation of receipt and processing from the relevant authorities. The processing time may vary depending on the type of Premium Residency applied for and the volume of applications received.
  • Attend biometric appointment (if required).
  • Once your application is processed, you will receive notification of the outcome via email or through the online portal. If approved, follow any further instructions provided to finalize your Premium Residency status.

Are you intending to relocate to Saudi Arabia as a student? See how to obtain a Saudi student visa.