If you plan to invest seriously in the Kingdom, the Premium Residency (Saudi Green Card) for Investors lets you live, work and run your business here long term, without needing a local employer or kafeel sponsor. The short version: you hold a valid investment licence from the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA), invest at least SAR 7,000,000 in qualifying activities, create at least 10 jobs within two years, pay a one-off product fee of SAR 4,000, and apply electronically through the Premium Residency Center portal.
Here's exactly who qualifies, what it costs, which documents you need, and how to submit the application from Riyadh (or anywhere) without guesswork.
What the Investor Premium Residency actually gives you
Unlike a standard work visa tied to an employer, Premium Residency puts you in control. The Investor product is granted on a long-term basis, rather than running on the annual renewal cycle of a normal Iqama — but it stays conditional on you keeping the required investment and employment in place. If those conditions lapse, your eligibility can be affected, so this isn't a "set and forget" status.
In practical terms, holders generally gain the ability to live in Saudi Arabia without a sponsor, own and operate their licensed business, sponsor dependants, and move through everyday life — banking, leasing, enrolling children — with far less red tape than a sponsored resident. Dependants may receive residency benefits under the applicable Premium Residency regulations; the exact scope depends on the rules in force, so treat family inclusion as a strong possibility rather than an automatic entitlement. It remains a major draw for families relocating to Riyadh or Jeddah.
Who qualifies: Investor eligibility at a glance
The Investor track is built for people putting real capital and jobs into the economy — a clear fit with Saudi Vision 2030's push to attract foreign investment. To qualify you must satisfy several linked conditions:
- A valid MISA investment licence — your activity must be licensed by the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia.
- A qualifying investment of at least SAR 7,000,000 in approved Saudi investment activities.
- Job creation of at least 10 roles within the first two years of the investment.
- Evidence of ownership and operation — a valid commercial registration, documented ownership share, and corporate and social-insurance records proving the jobs exist.
- Clean security and medical standing — you and your dependants must satisfy applicable medical, security and regulatory requirements.
The SAR 7 million investment requirement
The SAR 7,000,000 figure is the capital you commit to qualifying activities — it is not a fee paid to the government. You'll need to show where the money went: investment-payment evidence, incorporation documents, and proof that the capital is deployed in a licensed, operating business rather than sitting idle.
The 10-job creation rule
Creating at least 10 jobs within two years is what makes this an "investor" product rather than a passive one. These roles are verified through corporate and social-insurance records, so the employment has to be genuine and documented — not a paper exercise. Keep your payroll and insurance registrations tidy from day one, because they become your proof later.
Costs: the SAR 4,000 fee vs the investment
It's important to separate two very different numbers so you budget correctly:
- Product fee — SAR 4,000: the administrative fee for the Investor Premium Residency product itself, paid electronically during the application.
- Investment requirement — SAR 7,000,000: the capital you deploy into qualifying Saudi activities. This is your business investment, completely separate from the product fee.
In other words, the SAR 4,000 is what you pay the Premium Residency Center; the SAR 7 million is what you put into your business. Fees and thresholds can be updated through implementing regulations, so confirm the current figures on the Premium Residency Center portal before you pay.
Documents you'll need
Gather these before you start the online application to avoid back-and-forth. Typical requirements include:
- A valid passport for you and each dependant.
- Your MISA investment licence.
- Valid commercial registration (CR) and company incorporation documents.
- Proof of financial capacity and investment-payment evidence showing the SAR 7 million is deployed.
- Documented ownership share in the licensed entity.
- Proof of qualifying employees — corporate and social-insurance (GOSI) records confirming at least 10 jobs.
- A clean criminal record and medical fitness documentation as required.
The Premium Residency Center may request additional documents or further verification, so keep digital copies organised and ready to upload.
How to apply step by step
The whole process is handled electronically through the Premium Residency Center portal — there's no need for stacks of in-person paperwork. Here's the typical flow:
- Create your account on the Premium Residency Center portal.
- Select the Investor product from the available categories.
- Complete the application form with your personal, business and investment details.
- Upload your documents — passport, MISA licence, CR, financial and investment evidence, and employee/GOSI records.
- Pay the applicable fees electronically, including the SAR 4,000 product fee.
- Wait for review and verification — the Center may request additional documents or checks.
- Receive your residency permit through the Center's electronic process once approved, with dependants added under the applicable regulations.
Because the system is digital, you can start the application whether you're already in Riyadh or still planning your move. For setting up the underlying business, see our guides on company formation in Saudi Arabia and hiring employees in the Kingdom.
Where the Investor product fits in the seven 2024 categories
A 2024 expansion of the programme introduced seven product categories, so the Investor route is one of several paths to the Saudi Green Card:
- Investor — the route covered in this guide (SAR 7m investment + 10 jobs).
- Entrepreneur — for founders backed by approved funding.
- Real Estate Owner — tied to qualifying property ownership; see our Saudi Arabia properties listings if you're exploring this route.
- Special Talent — for highly skilled professionals in priority fields.
- Gifted — for exceptional talent in areas such as research and the arts.
- Limited Duration — a fixed-term renewable residency.
- Unlimited Duration — the permanent, lifetime product.
If the Investor thresholds don't fit your situation, one of the other six categories might. The Entrepreneur and Real Estate Owner products in particular are popular alternatives for people entering the market in different ways.
Keeping your residency: ongoing conditions
The Investor Premium Residency is long-term but conditional. You're expected to maintain the qualifying investment and the required employment over time. If the underlying investment is wound down or the jobs disappear, your eligibility can be affected. Treat the CR, GOSI registrations and investment records as living documents you keep current — they're the backbone of your status.
FAQs
Is the SAR 7 million a fee I pay to the government?
No. The SAR 7,000,000 is the capital you invest in qualifying Saudi business activities — it stays in your business. The only fee paid for the Investor product is SAR 4,000, settled electronically during the application.
Does the Investor Premium Residency expire?
The Investor product is granted on a long-term basis, so it doesn't run on the annual renewal cycle of a standard Iqama. It is, however, conditional on maintaining the required investment and employment — if those conditions lapse, your eligibility can be affected. Check the latest published rules on the portal for the exact terms.
Can my family be included?
Yes. Dependants may receive residency benefits under the applicable Premium Residency regulations, though the exact scope depends on the rules in force. They must meet the relevant medical, security and documentation requirements, and their passports and records are uploaded with your application.
How many jobs do I actually need to create?
At least 10 jobs within the first two years of the investment, verified through corporate and social-insurance records. Keep your payroll and GOSI registrations accurate so you can prove it.
Do I still need a sponsor (kafeel)?
No. A core benefit of Premium Residency is that you live and operate your business without needing a local employer or kafeel sponsor — one of the biggest differences from a standard sponsored Iqama.
Where do I apply, and could the rules change?
You apply electronically through the Premium Residency Center portal. Eligibility criteria and fees can be updated through implementing regulations, so always check the latest published rules on the portal before you pay.
Ready to make your move? Browse live investment and business opportunities on Saudi Living, and explore our guides to setting up and growing a company in the Kingdom.
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