Saudi Premium Residency: Investor & Entrepreneur Tracks

Saudi Living reviews the Kingdom's Premium Residency options for investors and entrepreneurs, a residency product that stands apart from standard work visas and family iqama sponsorship. The framework offers dedicated routes designed to attract business owners and startup founders who commit to investing and creating jobs in Saudi Arabia.

Premium Residency broadly includes two general tracks: an unlimited-duration (permanent) residency with a one-time government fee of SAR 800,000 and no renewal fees, and a limited-duration residency carrying a government fee of SAR 100,000 valid for one year and renewable annually on continued eligibility.

Separate from these direct-pay tracks are the category-based products. Both the Investor residency (إقامة مستثمر أعمال) and the Entrepreneur residency (إقامة رائد أعمال) carry a government application fee of SAR 4,000 each, as specified in the 2025–2026 implementing regulations. These category-based routes — which also cover Special Talent, Gifted and Real Estate Owner products — are typically valid for up to five years, separate from any required investment or funding amounts.

Conditions for investors and entrepreneurs

Under typical 2026 conditions, the investor route calls for a minimum capital investment of around SAR 7,000,000 in a licensed business project, a valid investment licence, and job-creation obligations commonly set at a minimum of 10 jobs within two years. Meeting these milestones can lead to permanent Premium Residency using the same SAR 4,000 product fee structure.

For entrepreneurs, the standard track requires external funding of at least SAR 400,000, a founder ownership share of around 20% or more, and a valid Saudi investment or startup licence. A premium entrepreneur track raises funding to around SAR 15,000,000 with an ownership share of about 10% or more and the creation of roughly 20 jobs, and can convert to permanent residency once milestones are met.

For business owners and founders weighing a long-term move to the Kingdom, these routes offer a clearer path to stable, renewable — and potentially permanent — residency tied to real investment and job creation.

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