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As Ketenci & Ketenci law firm, we provide comprehensive guidance on the Saudi Premium Residency, commonly referred to as the "Saudi Green Card." Launched in 2019, this initiative is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's strategy to enhance its economic competitiveness, foster entrepreneurial spirit, and draw investors to legally engage in business activities within the Kingdom.
The program also targets the reduction of commercial concealment, a phenomenon where non-Saudi individuals engage in commercial activities in Saudi Arabia without a proper investment license.
Options Under the Saudi Premium Residency Program (Saudi Golden Visa)
The program's official name is Premium Residency; "Saudi Green Card" and "Saudi Golden Visa" are informal terms used in marketing and search rather than titles used by the Premium Residency Center itself. As of 2026, the Center lists seven distinct products rather than a single scheme. Two are the original financial-contribution options, and five are category-based products introduced from 2024 onward for investors, entrepreneurs, property owners, and skilled or exceptional talent.
| Product | Key threshold | Duration | Government fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limited Duration Premium Residency | General eligibility, no investment or salary test | 1 year, renewable | SAR 100,000 per year |
| Unlimited Duration Premium Residency | General eligibility, no investment or salary test | Indefinite (one-time fee) | SAR 800,000 one-time |
| Exceptional Competence Residency | Salary and qualification thresholds by profile (executives, researchers, healthcare and scientific professionals) | Up to 5 years, renewable; permanence possible on meeting conditions | SAR 4,000 |
| Talent Residency | Product-specific talent, cultural, or sporting criteria | Up to 5 years, renewable; permanence possible on meeting conditions | SAR 4,000 |
| Business Investor Residency | Qualifying investment of at least SAR 7 million and at least 10 employees | Conditional permanent residency | SAR 4,000 |
| Entrepreneur Residency | Category 1: at least SAR 400,000 in accredited funding and 20%+ ownership. Category 2: at least SAR 15 million and defined job-creation targets | Category 1: 5 years. Category 2: conditional permanent residency | SAR 4,000 |
| Real Estate Owner Residency | Mortgage-free residential property valued at least SAR 4 million, accredited valuation | Linked to continued ownership of the qualifying property | SAR 4,000 |
The two original financial-contribution options, Limited and Unlimited Duration, remain the simplest route where no investment, salary, or property profile applies; their USD equivalents are roughly $27,000 per year and $213,000 one-time, at current exchange rates.
The five category-based products carry a lower government fee of SAR 4,000 each, but each requires meeting a specific investment, salary, funding, job-creation, or property threshold rather than simply paying for access. Applicants should confirm which product fits their profile before proceeding, since the right route affects both cost and the underlying eligibility test.
All products bestow upon holders and their qualifying family members the right to live, invest, and work in private establishments in Saudi Arabia, with the freedom to switch jobs within the private sector. Holders also enjoy a host of benefits available only to Premium Residency cardholders.
Application Process
Applications for the premium residency visa should be submitted to the Premium Residency Center, a dedicated government agency. This agency, operating independently both financially and administratively, is tasked with streamlining the residency acquisition process in collaboration with various government entities.
Processing time depends on the product and the completeness of the file. The Saudi National Platform currently lists a service duration of around 90 working days for Unlimited Duration Premium Residency; other guides report a general range of roughly 30 to 90 business days across products. Applicants should treat these as indicative timelines rather than guarantees, since the Center may request additional documents or conduct further review.
Family Members Eligibility
Saudi Premium Residency's statutory family definition covers the applicant's spouse, children under 25, and parents. This applies across the program generally, subject to the specific conditions of each product and to health insurance and proof-of-relationship requirements. Unmarried daughters over 25 and children with special needs, regardless of age, may also qualify.
Benefits of Holding Saudi Premium Residency
Holders of the Saudi Premium Residency and their eligible family members enjoy numerous rights and privileges:
- Residence in Saudi Arabia, and the ability to conduct business subject to Saudi investment and licensing laws.
- Ownership of residential, commercial, and industrial real estate (with restrictions in Mecca, Medina, and certain border areas).
- Ownership and licensing of private vehicles.
- Issuance of visit visas for a wide range of relatives.
- Ability to invest and conduct business subject to Saudi investment, capital-market, and sector-specific regulations.
- Recruitment of foreign domestic workers.
- Exit and re-entry to Saudi Arabia without requiring a separate re-entry visa, for the holder and included family members, subject to applicable law.
- Exemption from the fees normally imposed on expatriates and their dependents.
- Access to airport lanes designated for Saudi and GCC nationals.
- The right to work in private-sector establishments and move between employers applies to the holder, spouse, and dependent children; this does not automatically extend to dependent parents.
- Retention of residency rights for the spouse and children under 25 in case of the primary holder's demise.
Not Sure Which Premium Residency Option Fits You?
Our legal team will review your circumstances and confirm which product applies, at no obligation.
Get in Touch Call Us: +90 532 132 92 33Who Should Consider the Limited Duration Route
The one-year renewable option (see table above for the fee) is ideal for investors, executives, and business owners engaged in fixed-term projects, or exploring the Kingdom's residency and investment opportunities before committing to the permanent option.
Family Inclusion Under the Permanent Route
The permanent option, officially named Unlimited Duration Premium Residency (see table above for the fee), grants indefinite Premium Residency benefits. Family members within the statutory definition, spouse, children under 25, and parents, can generally be included without a separate government fee, subject to health insurance and proof-of-relationship requirements.
Processing Fee and General Application Requirements
In addition to the product fee shown in the table above, a separate application processing fee of USD 170 is charged during the initial assessment stage, across all products.
Requirements for Application
- Valid passport, generally with at least 180 days of remaining validity.
- Applicant must be at least 21 years old.
- Clean criminal record.
- Proof of financial solvency.
- Recent medical report certifying freedom from communicable diseases, generally issued within the preceding 6 months.
- Valid health insurance for the holder and included family members, maintained throughout the residency period.
- Legal residency for applicants within Saudi Arabia, generally with at least 90 days of remaining validity at the time of application.
Advantages of Residency in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is a G20 economy with large-scale investment programmes under Vision 2030, offering sectors such as tourism and hospitality, technology, logistics, renewable energy, and advanced industry. With a blend of modern infrastructure and diverse communities, Saudi Arabia presents a broad range of living and investment options for Premium Residency holders.
Required Documents
General documents apply across products; product-specific documents depend on the route chosen.
General Documents
- Scanned passport copies for all family members included in the application.
- Recent personal photos.
- Proof of residence.
- Recent bank statements or other documents accepted by the Center as evidence of financial solvency.
- Approved medical reports.
- Proof of health insurance for the holder and included family members.
Product-Specific Documents
- Certified academic or professional qualifications (Exceptional Competence and Talent products).
- Investment or business licences and commercial registration (Business Investor and Entrepreneur products).
- Proof of capital injection, funding, or job creation (Business Investor and Entrepreneur products).
- Property title deed and accredited valuation (Real Estate Owner product).
All documents must be in Arabic or English, or officially translated into one of these languages.
Does Saudi Premium Residency Lead to Citizenship?
No. Premium Residency is a long-term or permanent residence status, not a path to Saudi citizenship. It does not create an automatic or contractual route to naturalisation. Saudi nationality follows a separate and considerably more restrictive process, and Premium Residency holders remain foreign nationals for legal purposes.
Tax Treatment of Premium Residency Holders
Premium Residency does not itself create a special personal tax regime. Saudi Arabia does not levy personal income tax on employment income generally, but tax consequences still depend on an individual's residence status, source of income, business activity, and ownership structures, and are governed by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA). Applicants with cross-border income or business interests should take separate Saudi and home-country tax advice before applying.
Conclusion
The Saudi Premium Residency Program offers a unique opportunity for foreigners to reside, work, and invest in Saudi Arabia, contributing to the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
Please reach us for further consultation on the Saudi Premium Residency application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
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This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Fees, eligibility criteria, and available Premium Residency products are set by the Premium Residency Center and are subject to change. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact our legal team directly.