Saudi Premium Residency Explained: Fees & Types

Saudi Premium Residency is a distinctive residence status that lets eligible foreign nationals — along with their qualifying family members and dependants — live and work in the Kingdom without needing a traditional Saudi sponsor. Introduced as part of the Kingdom's broader efforts to attract talent, investment, and skilled professionals, the programme now offers a range of products designed for different profiles, from high-net-worth individuals and investors to entrepreneurs, property owners, and people with exceptional talent. This Saudi Living guide walks you through what it offers, the different types available, the current official fees, and how the application process works.

What Premium Residency actually gives you

The core appeal of Premium Residency is independence. Instead of being tied to an employer-sponsor, holders enjoy a self-sponsored status with a package of rights that can include:

• Residence in the Kingdom without a Saudi sponsor.
• Residence for qualifying family members and dependants.
• The ability to work in the private sector.
• Freedom to change employers without paying transfer fees.
• Business ownership, subject to the relevant licensing requirements.
• Specified real-estate ownership rights.

For the standard fee-based products, the minimum age is generally 21.

The different Premium Residency products

The programme is not one-size-fits-all. There are several products, each with its own eligibility criteria and fee structure:

• Unlimited-duration Premium Residency — a one-time fee of SAR 800,000, giving open-ended status.
• Limited-duration Premium Residency — SAR 100,000 renewable annually.
• Special Talent Residency — product fee of SAR 4,000, subject to approval under the applicable talent, research, professional, cultural, or sporting criteria.
• Gifted Residency — product fee of SAR 4,000, for individuals approved under the gifted-person criteria.
• Investor Residency — product fee of SAR 4,000.
• Entrepreneur Residency — product fee of SAR 4,000.
• Real Estate Owner Residency — product fee of SAR 4,000.

It's important to understand that the product fee is separate from all the underlying qualifying costs — the required investment, property value, salary, funding, insurance, medical examinations, document attestation, and other government-service charges.

Investor and Entrepreneur Residency conditions

These two products target people bringing capital and business activity into the Kingdom, and the thresholds are substantial:

• Investor Residency requires at least SAR 7 million invested in qualifying Saudi investment activities, along with the applicable employment-creation conditions. In return, it grants conditional permanent residency.
• Entrepreneur Residency – Category 1 requires at least SAR 400,000 in qualifying funding and generally provides a renewable five-year permit.
• Entrepreneur Residency – Category 2 requires at least SAR 15 million in qualifying funding and may provide conditional permanent residency.

Real Estate Owner and talent-based products

Real Estate Owner Residency is built around property. It requires ownership or usufruct of qualifying developed Saudi real estate valued at a minimum of SAR 4 million, and the residency remains valid for as long as that qualifying ownership or usufruct continues.

Special Talent Residency and Gifted Residency are merit-based rather than wealth-based. Both require formal approval under the relevant Saudi criteria for talent, research, professional expertise, cultural or sporting achievement, or gifted individuals — making them attractive routes for professionals and high-achievers.

How to apply, step by step

Applications are made through the official Premium Residency electronic portal — not through أبشر, مقيم, قوى, ناجز, or توكلنا, which serve other purposes. نفاذ may be used for identity verification. The typical journey looks like this:

• Create an account and complete your identity, passport, contact, and family information.
• Select the residency product that fits your situation.
• Upload the required documents and any product-specific evidence.
• Complete medical insurance and medical-examination requirements where requested.
• Pay the application charge and submit.
• Complete verification and pay the product fee after approval.
• Receive your permit and finalise the associated government procedures.

Before you apply

Premium Residency rules have evolved recently, including the introduction of the five SAR 4,000 products and the pricing of SAR 800,000 for unlimited duration and SAR 100,000 Because eligibility conditions, documentation, and fees can be updated, always confirm the latest requirements and figures on the official Premium Residency portal before committing to a product or making any qualifying investment. Choosing the right product early — based on your goals, budget, and whether you want flexibility or permanence — will save time and money in the long run.

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