Saudi Premium Residency VisasAttracting International Talent

Understanding Saudi Residency Visas: Living and Thriving in the Kingdom

Saudi’s Premium Residency products make the Kingdom an even more attractive place for professionals and investors to collaborate, establish a corporate presence, and become a part of Saudi’s rich cultural history and heritage.

To make the most of Saudi’s vibrant, dynamic economic ecosystem, professionals in Saudi can take advantage of any of the seven Premium Residency products.

These products vary from one-year duration visas to permanent residency within the Kingdom. In addition to individual eligibility criteria, all the products require:

• A valid passport
• A successful medical examination
• Legal residency in Saudi if applying within Saudi

1. Special Talent Residency

5-year residency in the first instance

A 5-year residency for professionals specializing in healthcare and science, researchers, or executives.

Eligibility Criteria

Researchers and specialists in healthcare and science require:

• An employment contract in approved entities
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree
• Three or more years of work experience in the specified specializations
• An endorsement letter from the employer

In addition, researchers must have a minimum monthly salary of SAR 14,000 (USD 3,750), while specialists in healthcare and science need to prove earnings of SAR 35,000 (USD 9,350) or more per month.

Executives applying for Special Talent Residency need to show:

• An employment contract for the appropriate level
• An endorsement letter from their company
• A minimum monthly salary of SAR 80,000 (USD 21,350)

Special Benefits

• Permanent residency on meeting the eligibility criteria, which include spending 30 months in Saudi within 5 consecutive or non-consecutive years
• Exemption from the Nitaqat Program for the primary Premium Residency holder

2. Gifted Residency

5-year residency in the first instance

A 5-year residency for those considered gifted.

Eligibility Criteria

Category One

• Being nominated for or receiving an exceptional award approved by the Ministry of Culture or the Ministry of Sports.

Category Two

• Proving financial solvency
• Being endorsed by the Ministry of Culture or the Ministry of Sports

Special Benefits

• Individuals meeting the eligibility criteria during a period of five years may obtain permanent residency.
• Exemption from the Nitaqat program for the primary Premium Residency holder.

3. Investor Residency

Permanent residency

Eligibility Criteria

• Issuance of an investment license
• Provision of articles of incorporation and commercial registration a minimum investment of SAR 7 million (USD 1,866,650) in economic activities within Saudi

Special Benefits

Direct permanent residency is possible on two conditions:

• The specified amount must be invested within the first two years
• 10 jobs must be created within the first two years

4. Entrepreneur Residency

Five-year or permanent residency

Eligibility Criteria

Category One

• Obtaining a minimum of SAR 400,000 (USD 106,660) in investments from an accredited entity
• Holding a minimum share of 20% of the startup

Category Two

• Obtaining a minimum of SAR 15 million (USD 3,999,850) in investments from an accredited entity
• Holding a minimum share of 10% of the startup

In addition to these criteria, eligibility for an Entrepreneur Residency visa requires:

• An entrepreneur license issued by the Ministry of Investment
• An endorsement letter from the investment entity
  

Special Benefits

Category One

• A five-year residency, renewable for one term, contingent upon fulfilling the eligibility criteria continuously and being resident for 30 months within the 5 years
  

Category Two

• Permanent residency, contingent on the creation of 10 or more jobs in the first ear and at least 10 jobs in the second year

All holders of Entrepreneur Residency gain the following special benefits:

• The ability to nominate two staff members for Special Talent Residency
• Exemption from the Nitaqat program for the entity during its first three years in operation

5. Real Estate Owner Residency

Variable duration

Eligibility Criteria

• Ownership of mortgage-free, developed, residential real estate assets worth at least SAR 4,000,000 (USD 1,066,650)
• Real estate appraisal by Taqeem, the Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers

The duration of this residency product is linked to the real estate ownership or usufruct.

6. Limited Duration Residency

One-year residency

Eligibility Criteria

• Proof of financial solvency
• Yearly payments of SAR 100,000 (USD 26,650).

7. Unlimited Duration Residency

Permanent residency

Eligibility Criteria

• Proof of financial solvency
• One-time fee of SAR 800,000 (USD 213,300)