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Saudi Premium Residency provides eligible non-Saudi nationals with alternative pathways to reside, work and invest in the Kingdom under the Premium Residency Law and its Implementing Regulations. The scheme supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives by attracting qualified professionals, entrepreneurs, investors and individuals with exceptional talent.
This legal guide explains the Saudi Premium Residency categories, exceptional competence requirements, talent benefits, business investor and entrepreneur eligibility, real estate owner conditions, applicable fees and the online application process. The phrase “new Saudi residency system” is used informally; the relevant legal framework is the Saudi Premium Residency Law, rather than a separate law newly enacted in 2026.
Saudi Premium Residency: Legal Framework and Objectives
The Premium Residency Law establishes the legal foundation for granting qualifying non-Saudi applicants residency privileges subject to statutory conditions. The expanded product offering is designed to facilitate investment, attract specialised expertise and support professional and family stability. The advantages are not unconditional: each applicant must satisfy the eligibility criteria applicable to the selected product and comply with Saudi laws.
- Encouraging qualifying investment and entrepreneurship in the Saudi market.
- Attracting researchers, senior executives and specialists in priority sectors.
- Offering defined residency pathways and qualifying family-related benefits.
Types of Saudi Premium Residency
Saudi Premium Residency is available through seven products. Five are targeted at specific applicant groups, while two provide a general limited-duration or unlimited-duration residency option:
- Exceptional Competence Residency — for qualifying healthcare and scientific professionals, researchers and executives.
- Talent Residency — for eligible individuals with recognised achievements in designated talent fields.
- Business Investor Residency — for investors meeting qualifying investment and employment criteria.
- Entrepreneur Residency — for founders of qualifying start-ups supported by approved investment.
- Real Estate Owner Residency — for eligible owners or beneficiaries of qualifying residential property.
- Unlimited-Duration Premium Residency — a permanent-duration product subject to its statutory conditions.
- Limited-Duration Premium Residency — a renewable residency product subject to its prescribed duration and conditions.
Selecting an appropriate category is a legal and practical decision: eligibility, evidence, duration and continuing obligations differ by product.
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Exceptional Competence Residency Requirements
Exceptional Competence Residency targets professionals whose expertise aligns with Saudi Arabia’s identified priority sectors. The requirements depend on the applicant’s qualifying track and should not be treated as a single salary or experience threshold for every applicant.
- Healthcare and scientific specialists: a qualifying employment contract, at least a bachelor’s degree, a minimum total monthly salary of SAR 35,000, the applicable points threshold and relevant supporting evidence.
- Researchers: a qualifying employment contract, at least a bachelor’s degree, a minimum total monthly salary of SAR 14,000, the applicable points threshold and relevant research or professional evidence.
- Executives: qualifying senior executive employment with total annual compensation of at least SAR 960,000, subject to the applicable rules.
- Employer recommendation and relevant professional experience documentation may be required according to the applicable track and detailed criteria.
The product may initially be issued for five years and may allow a pathway to permanent residency upon satisfaction of the prescribed continuing criteria and residence requirements.
Talent Residency: Benefits for Qualifying Individuals
Talent Residency aims to attract eligible individuals in cultural, artistic, sporting and other approved talent fields. Qualification depends on criteria and endorsements applicable to the relevant discipline; professional acclaim alone does not automatically entitle an applicant to residency.
- Access to the rights and privileges conferred by the Premium Residency Law, subject to relevant restrictions.
- Eligibility for family-related residency arrangements and relatives’ visit visas in accordance with the applicable regulations.
- Qualifying private-sector employment and mobility rights, together with the other benefits specified by law.
A key legal distinction is that private-sector work privileges should not be described as an unrestricted right to work in Saudi government positions. Applicants should check the specific product criteria and permissible activities before relying on a benefit.
Business Investor Residency: Eligibility and Investment Conditions
Business Investor Residency targets qualifying investors establishing or participating in eligible investment activities in Saudi Arabia. The principal investment threshold is at least SAR 7 million in qualifying activities, with investment registrations, commercial records and capital evidence required under the detailed criteria
- Document a qualifying investment interest of at least SAR 7 million.
- Hold the necessary valid investment registrations, licences and commercial documentation.
- Provide evidence of capital deployment and qualifying employment, including the applicable requirement relating to ten employees.
- Maintain the prescribed investment and employment thresholds throughout the relevant conditional period.
This product can provide conditional permanent residency, but continued compliance is material. Investment alone, without the required documentation and other eligibility conditions, does not guarantee approval.
Entrepreneur Residency: Requirements and Opportunities
Entrepreneur Residency supports founders of eligible innovative enterprises, with differentiated requirements for two applicant categories.
- Category One: qualifying investment or funding of at least SAR 400,000 from an approved investment entity, together with the required entrepreneurial licence, ownership interest and recommendation.
- Category Two: qualifying investment or funding of at least SAR 15 million from an approved investment entity, subject to direct job-creation requirements, including ten jobs in the first year and ten additional jobs in the second year.
- The residency duration and pathway to permanent status depend on the category and ongoing compliance with the relevant conditions.
Entrepreneurs should verify the approved-investor status, corporate ownership evidence, funding documentation and employment milestones before submitting an application.
Real Estate Owner Residency: Property Requirements
Real Estate Owner Residency is available to eligible applicants who own or hold a qualifying right of use over residential property in the Kingdom, or who satisfy the separately prescribed off-plan purchase criteria. A qualifying property value of at least SAR 4 million applies.
- Existing residential property must satisfy the applicable ownership or usufruct criteria and restrictions on mortgages and encumbrances.
- Qualifying off-plan property is subject to additional rules, including an approved developer and a minimum payment of SAR 1 million or 10% of the property value, whichever is higher.
- Commercial, industrial and agricultural property does not qualify under the residential-property criteria.
- Residency remains linked to maintaining the qualifying property interest and satisfying the applicable conditions.
A purchase contract or property ownership document does not, by itself, establish an automatic right to Saudi Premium Residency.
Saudi Premium Residency Fees in 2026
The applicable fee depends on the chosen product. The official fee schedule distinguishes the two general residency products from the five targeted categories:
| Residency product | Published fee (SAR) |
| Unlimited-Duration Premium Residency | 800,000 (one-time) |
| Limited-Duration Premium Residency | 100,000 per year |
| Exceptional Competence Residency | 4,000 |
| Talent Residency | 4,000 |
| Business Investor Residency | 4,000 |
| Entrepreneur Residency | 4,000 |
| Real Estate Owner Residency | 4,000 |
These are the published product fees, not a representation that all other administrative, insurance or third-party costs are included. Verify the live payment requirements and any updates on the Premium Residency Center platform before applying.
How to Apply for Saudi Premium Residency
- Visit the official Premium Residency Center platform at https://pr.gov.sa and create an applicant account.
- Review all seven products and select the category that corresponds to your qualifications or investment profile.
- Complete the online application and provide accurate identification, financial, employment, investment and family documentation as applicable.
- Submit the application and comply with any applicable electronic payment or supplementary information requests.
- Track the application through the platform and complete the final requirements if approved.
An application is assessed under the Premium Residency Law, its Implementing Regulations and product-specific conditions. Submitting documents or paying a fee does not guarantee approval.
Frequently Asked Questions About Saudi Premium Residency
What is the minimum investment required for Saudi Premium Residency?
Under the Business Investor Residency product, the principal qualifying investment threshold is SAR 7 million, together with documentary and employment conditions. Entrepreneur Residency has separate funding thresholds of SAR 400,000 or SAR 15 million depending on the category. An applicant should not confuse these product-specific requirements with the fees for general Premium Residency.
Can I obtain Saudi Premium Residency by buying property?
Potentially, yes. Real Estate Owner Residency requires qualifying residential property ownership, usufruct or an eligible off-plan acquisition with a value of at least SAR 4 million. Conditions differ for completed and off-plan properties, and purchasing property does not automatically result in approval.
How much does Saudi Premium Residency cost in 2026?
The published fees are SAR 800,000 for Unlimited-Duration Premium Residency, SAR 100,000 per year for Limited-Duration Premium Residency, and SAR 4,000 for each of the five targeted products. Separate compliance and related expenses may apply.
Can Saudi Premium Residency holders work without a sponsor?
Premium Residency offers employment and mobility privileges established by law, including qualifying work in private-sector establishments and movement between them. The scope of each entitlement remains subject to applicable laws, restrictions and the holder’s individual circumstances; it should not be interpreted as permission for every form of employment.
How long does Saudi Premium Residency last, and can it be cancelled?
Duration depends on the selected product. Some products are time-limited and renewable, others may be permanent or conditionally permanent, while Real Estate Owner Residency is linked to the qualifying property interest. Residency may be cancelled where statutory cancellation grounds or product-specific non-compliance apply.
Conclusion
Saudi Premium Residency offers structured legal pathways for qualified professionals, creatives, investors, entrepreneurs and real estate owners. Nevertheless, each product has distinct financial thresholds, documentary requirements and ongoing obligations. Prospective applicants should review the relevant conditions in force at the time of filing, confirm the chosen product’s benefits and restrictions, and seek qualified legal advice where an investment, employment arrangement or property acquisition raises regulatory questions.
Official Legal Sources
Premium Residency Law — https://pr.gov.sa/premium-residency-law
Implementing Regulations — https://pr.gov.sa/premium-residency-regulations
Product-Specific Terms and Criteria — https://pr.gov.sa/services-terms
Premium Residency Center FAQ — https://pr.gov.sa/faq
Saudi National Platform, Request Premium Residency — https://my.gov.sa/en/services/187911
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