Saudi Premium Residency VisasAttracting International Talent
Saudi’s Premium Residency visas offer exciting opportunities for business owners, entrepreneurs, investors, and gifted individuals to live, work, and own property in Saudi
Key Benefits of Saudi Premium Residency visas:
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 Saudi Premium Residency visas.
These products vary from one-year duration visas (iqamas) 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
Below is a breakdown of the various Saudi premium residency visas (iqama), including their benefits and costs.
1. Special Talent Residency in Saudi
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 in Saudi 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 Saudi Premium Residency holder
2. Gifted Residency in Saudi
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 Saudi Premium Residency holder.
3. Investor Residency in Saudi
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 in Saudi
Five-year or permanent residency
Eligibility Criteria for Entrepreneur Residency
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 in Saudi
Variable duration
Eligibility Criteria for Real Estate Owner Residency
- 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 in Saudi
One-year residency
Eligibility Criteria for Limited Duration Residency
- Proof of financial solvency
- Yearly payments of SAR 100,000 (USD 26,650).
7. Unlimited Duration Residency in Saudi
Permanent residency
Eligibility Criteria for Unlimited Duration Residency
- Proof of financial solvency
- One-time fee of SAR 800,000 (USD 213,300)

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