Saudi Arabia premium residency: types, requirements and prices in 2026

In 2026 Saudi premium residency comes in 7 types: unlimited for $213,400, limited for $26,700 a year, for specialists earning from $3,800, for investors from $1,867,000, entrepreneurs from $106,700 and homeowners from $1,067,000. No sponsor is needed, and your family lives with you.

In detail

In 2026 Saudi premium residency is a residence permit without a local sponsor, offered in 7 forms: unlimited for a one-time $213,400, limited for $26,700 a year, and separate routes for specialists, investors, entrepreneurs and homeowners. Your family lives with you, and your business and property are registered in your own name.

The programme is run by the Premium Residency Center. Since 2024 it has been open not only to large investors but also to specialists, entrepreneurs and homeowners. In November 2024, 1,238 investors received it at a single investment conference.

Below are all 7 types, prices, requirements and steps. Amounts are converted at the fixed rate of 1 dollar = 3.75 Saudi riyals and rounded up.

What Saudi premium residency is

A regular residence permit in the country is arranged by a sponsoring employer. A foreigner obtains premium residency on their own, without a local sponsor, and chooses their own work, home and business.

The programme has 2 forms: unlimited with a one-time fee and renewable with an annual fee. Within them there are 7 types for different goals: simply living in the country, working on a contract, investing, starting a company or buying a home.

7 types of premium residency in 2026

• Unlimited - $213,400 once, no renewal.
• Limited - $26,700 for each year, for 1 to 5 years with renewal.
• Special talent - for executives, healthcare professionals, scientists and researchers with a contract, $1,100 fee.
• Gifted - for people with achievements in culture and sport.
• Investor - from $1,867,000 in a business in the country.
• Entrepreneur - from $106,700 of investment in a startup, $1,100 fee.
• Real estate owner - a home from $1,067,000 with no mortgage.

The first two types need no job, business or home in the country: you pay the fee and meet the general requirements. The other 5 types are tied to a contract, an investment or property.

Riyadh is the capital and the largest city in the country: home to the ministries, the financial district and the head offices of large companies.

Unlimited and limited residency: prices

Unlimited premium residency costs $213,400 and is paid once. It has no end date, needs no renewal, and your family lives in the country with you.

Limited residency costs $26,700 a year. You take it for 1 to 5 years and renew it for as long as you need. This option suits you if you want to live in the country and launch a business first, and apply for unlimited residency later.

Neither form needs a contract, a business or property. The fees are set by the Council of Economic and Development Affairs.

Special talent: executives, healthcare professionals and scientists

This type is granted to specialists with a contract in the country. The fee is a one-time $1,100, and the conditions depend on the profession:

• Executives - a contract for a top or second-level management position and a salary from $21,400 a month.
• Healthcare professionals and scientists - a contract with an accredited organisation in a priority specialisation, a salary from $9,400 a month, a bachelor's degree, at least 3 years of experience and a recommendation. Applications are assessed on points.
• Researchers - a salary from $3,800 a month, a bachelor's degree, at least 3 years of experience and at least 3 research papers. Applications are also assessed on points.

Demand for healthcare professionals is high: by October 2024, 2,645 of them from 56 countries had received premium residency. A separate type, "gifted", was created for people with achievements in culture and sport.

Investor and entrepreneur

An investor puts at least $1,867,000 into investment activity in the country: through a Ministry of Investment licence or a share in a company. You can open a company for this with us - see company registration in Saudi Arabia.

An entrepreneur chooses one of two categories:

• Startup - an entrepreneur licence from the Ministry of Investment, at least $106,700 of investment from an accredited organisation, a recommendation letter and a share in the company of at least 20%. The residency is for 5 years.
• Large business - at least $4,000,000 of investment, a share of at least 10% and 10 new jobs in the first year plus another 10 in the second. This category leads to unlimited residency.

The entrepreneur's fee is $1,100. A bonus: they can nominate 2 employees for the special talent type without the usual requirements. In 2025, more than 100 company founders from over 20 countries received premium residency at a single entrepreneurship forum.

Jeddah is the country's main port and the business centre of its western part, by the sea and close to Mecca.

Real estate owner

This type is granted for a home worth at least $1,067,000 with no mortgage. The residency is valid for as long as you own the property, and your family lives in the country with you.

The page property in Saudi Arabia will help you find a home at this price, and the guide how to send money to Saudi Arabia shows a convenient way to move the purchase funds.

What premium residency gives you

• Family with you - spouse, children under 25 and parents.
• Work without a sponsor - you can change employer yourself.
• No expat fees - neither for you nor for your family members.
• Travel without a visa - leave and return at any time.
• Property - residential, commercial and industrial.
• Your own business - a company in your name.
• Fast airport lanes - together with citizens of the country and of the Gulf states.

Taxes are a plus too: a foreigner pays no personal income tax, no capital gains tax and files no tax return. Rent in Riyadh is $700 to $1,300 a month for a one-bedroom flat and $2,200 to $3,200 for a villa. More on neighbourhoods and prices in the guide living in Riyadh.

Requirements and documents

The general requirements are the same for all types:

• a valid passport;
• proof of financial solvency;
• a clean criminal record certificate;
• a medical report no older than 6 months;
• legal status if you already live in the country.

Documents for your type are added to these: a contract and a degree for talent, a licence and proof of investment for entrepreneurs and investors, ownership documents for homeowners.

How to get premium residency: steps

1. Choose the type that fits your income, business or property.
2. Check the conditions - salary, investment amount or property value.
3. Collect the documents - passport, certificates and papers for the chosen type.
4. Apply online to the Premium Residency Center.
5. Get approval and within 30 days pay the fee and buy health insurance.
6. Receive your residency card and bring your family.

The right type and a complete set of documents the first time are what matter most for a quick decision. Both are worth preparing from the very start.

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