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IMBS
July 4, 2026
Complete Guide for Investors, Entrepreneurs and Families
Saudi Premium Residency offers qualified foreign nationals a more independent and stable way to live, work, invest and build a future in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Unlike a conventional employment-based residence permit, Premium Residency is designed for eligible investors, entrepreneurs, executives, professionals, researchers, talented individuals and property owners who want a closer and more flexible relationship with Saudi Arabia.
The programme is sometimes informally called the Saudi Green Card, although its official name is Saudi Premium Residency.
The most important Saudi Premium Residency benefits can include the ability to reside in the Kingdom with eligible family members, move between private-sector employers, enter and leave Saudi Arabia without relying on traditional exit and re-entry procedures, own permitted property, invest in businesses and enjoy greater long-term stability.
However, Premium Residency is not one single product with identical conditions for everyone. Saudi Arabia offers several residency pathways, and eligibility, validity, costs and product-specific benefits differ.
This guide explains the major benefits, available residency products, business and family advantages, important limitations and how IMBS can help you assess the most suitable pathway.
Check your potential eligibility before applying: Use the free IMBS Saudi Premium Residency Advisor to receive an initial assessment in approximately two to three minutes.
Saudi Premium Residency is a legal residency status available to qualifying non-Saudi individuals.
It was developed to attract and retain investors, entrepreneurs, executives, exceptional professionals, researchers, talented individuals and property owners who can contribute to the Kingdom’s economy and development.
Depending on the selected product, a successful applicant may receive either:
Premium Residency is issued to the qualifying individual rather than being dependent only on sponsorship from an employer.
This distinction can provide greater personal, professional and financial flexibility for people who want to establish deeper roots in Saudi Arabia.
Potential benefits may include:
The exact rights available should always be confirmed against the selected Premium Residency product and current Saudi regulations.
One of the most important Premium Residency benefits is greater residency independence.
Most foreign employees in Saudi Arabia traditionally obtain residency through an employer. Their legal status may therefore be closely connected to their employment relationship.
Premium Residency is different because the qualifying individual holds the residency status directly under the Premium Residency framework.
This can give eligible residents greater flexibility when planning:
It may be particularly valuable for senior executives, investors and entrepreneurs who do not want their entire residency strategy to depend on one employer.
Premium Residency does not remove the need to comply with Saudi employment, commercial, licensing and investment regulations. It instead provides an alternative residency foundation for qualified applicants.
Premium Residency can allow the principal holder to reside in Saudi Arabia with eligible family members.
Depending on applicable definitions and current rules, the family may include:
This family inclusion is one of the programme’s strongest advantages for people planning a long-term future in the Kingdom.
Rather than viewing Saudi Arabia only as a temporary employment destination, eligible families can consider it a place to:
Applicants should verify family-member eligibility, age limits, documentation and any product-specific conditions before submitting an application.
Premium Residency holders and their eligible family members may benefit from greater freedom when travelling into and out of Saudi Arabia.
This can reduce reliance on the conventional exit and re-entry arrangements associated with standard employment-sponsored residency.
This benefit can be particularly valuable for:
Premium Residency holders may also be entitled to use lanes designated for Saudi citizens and Gulf Cooperation Council citizens at certain entry and exit points, subject to the applicable procedures.
Eligible Premium Residency holders and certain family members may work in the Saudi private sector in accordance with applicable labour rules.
They may also have greater flexibility to move between private-sector establishments.
This can benefit:
Employment remains subject to Saudi labour law, professional licensing requirements, regulated occupation rules and any positions reserved for Saudi citizens.
Premium Residency should not be interpreted as automatic authorization for every profession or role.
Saudi Premium Residency can be especially attractive to investors and entrepreneurs who want to participate in the Saudi economy.
Depending on the applicant’s product, business activity and regulatory route, a Premium Residency holder may be able to:
Business ownership remains subject to relevant regulations, activity classifications, investment-registration requirements and sector-specific approvals.
Holding Premium Residency does not automatically replace:
Investors planning to establish a company can review the IMBS business setup services in Saudi Arabia or learn more about MISA company formation and foreign investment registration.
The Entrepreneur Residency product is designed for qualifying founders and innovators who are developing startups in Saudi Arabia.
For eligible entrepreneurs, the programme may offer a more stable base from which to:
The official pathway may require investment or funding from approved entities and evidence that the applicant is a genuine founder or qualifying participant in the startup.
Entrepreneurs should prepare:
The precise criteria depend on the entrepreneur category and current programme rules.
The Business Investor Residency product is intended for qualifying individuals investing in eligible Saudi economic activities.
This pathway may be attractive to investors seeking to:
Investment alone does not automatically guarantee approval.
Applicants may need to demonstrate:
A coordinated review of the residency and company-formation requirements can prevent conflicts between the applicant’s residency plan, ownership structure and commercial registration.
Another significant Saudi Premium Residency benefit is the potential ability to own permitted residential, commercial and industrial property in Saudi Arabia.
This may allow eligible holders to acquire property for:
Property ownership remains subject to Saudi real estate regulations, geographical restrictions and product-specific conditions.
Certain locations may have separate rules, particularly areas of religious importance. In some cases, alternative rights such as usufruct may apply rather than unrestricted ownership.
Applicants should complete legal and property due diligence before making a purchase or relying on property ownership as the basis of a residency application.
The Real Estate Owner Residency product is intended for qualifying individuals who own or hold usufruct rights over eligible residential property in Saudi Arabia.
This pathway can appeal to people who want to combine:
Applicants should confirm:
The residency may remain connected to continued satisfaction of the property-related conditions.
Premium Residency holders may be permitted to request visit visas for eligible relatives according to applicable regulations.
This can make it easier for extended family members to visit the Kingdom for:
The specific relatives who qualify, documentation requirements and permitted visit duration depend on the relevant immigration procedures.
Eligible Premium Residency holders may recruit and employ domestic workers in accordance with Saudi regulations.
This can support households that require:
Recruitment, employment contracts, wages, insurance, accommodation and worker rights remain governed by Saudi labour and domestic-worker regulations.
Official Premium Residency product information lists exemption from certain financial charges imposed on expatriates and their dependants among the general benefits.
The exact scope of any exemption should be checked carefully based on:
Applicants should not assume that every government, immigration, labour, insurance or service fee is removed.
Premium Residency can make long-term planning more practical for qualified foreign residents.
It may provide a stronger foundation for decisions involving:
Unlimited-duration Premium Residency can be particularly relevant to individuals seeking permanent stability, while limited-duration products may suit applicants who prefer a renewable arrangement.
Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in economic diversification through Vision 2030.
Growth opportunities continue to emerge across:
Premium Residency can help qualifying global talent and capital participate more deeply in this transformation.
However, residency approval does not guarantee investment returns or business success. Every investment should be supported by commercial, legal, financial and regulatory due diligence.
Saudi Arabia currently provides multiple Premium Residency products.
This product targets qualifying professionals with distinguished expertise in priority scientific, healthcare, research, administrative and executive fields.
It may suit:
Applicants may need to satisfy salary, employment, recommendation, experience or points-based requirements.
The Gifted Residency product targets individuals with significant achievements in fields such as:
Applicants are generally expected to demonstrate a strong record of recognized achievements and may need recommendations or endorsements from approved organizations.
This pathway is designed for qualifying investors who make an eligible investment in Saudi Arabia.
It may offer significant advantages to individuals seeking to combine residency with substantial commercial participation.
This product supports qualifying founders and innovators developing startups in the Kingdom.
The programme may contain different categories based on the applicant’s ownership, funding and investment position.
This option is intended for qualifying owners or beneficiaries of eligible Saudi residential property.
Its duration may be associated with continued ownership or usufruct of the qualifying property.
Limited-duration Premium Residency generally provides a renewable residency arrangement for applicants who meet the general requirements and pay the applicable annual fee.
It may suit people who want flexibility without immediately choosing an unlimited-duration product.
Unlimited-duration Premium Residency is designed for applicants who want to settle in Saudi Arabia permanently and meet its requirements.
It generally involves a one-time product fee in addition to the application process and other applicable costs.
| Applicant type | Potentially valuable benefits |
|---|---|
| Foreign investor | Business participation, long-term residency, family inclusion and investment stability |
| Entrepreneur | Startup development, employment flexibility and access to the Saudi innovation ecosystem |
| Executive | Independent residency foundation, career mobility and family stability |
| Exceptional professional | Long-term career opportunities and access to priority Saudi sectors |
| Property owner | Residency connected to qualifying property ownership and family relocation |
| Talented individual | Opportunity to develop a career in Saudi culture, sport or creative industries |
| Family | Shared residence, travel flexibility and long-term planning |
| Retiree or financially independent person | Stable residence through an appropriate limited or unlimited product |
Premium Residency offers valuable rights, but applicants should understand its limits.
It does not automatically provide:
A Premium Residency holder must continue complying with Saudi laws, regulations and product conditions.
No.
Premium Residency is a residency status. It does not automatically grant Saudi nationality, citizenship rights or a Saudi passport.
The holder remains a foreign national while receiving the rights and benefits attached to the approved residency product.
This distinction should be clearly understood before applying.
Some products can provide permanent or unlimited-duration status, while others are:
Applicants should select the pathway that best matches their qualifications, objectives and long-term plans.
Requirements vary by product, but general application considerations may include:
Additional requirements may include:
Applicants should use current official requirements rather than relying on outdated articles or informal social-media advice.
A typical application journey may include:
Review your:
An initial eligibility assessment can identify:
Use the free Saudi Premium Residency Advisor from IMBS for an initial assessment.
Prepare current, accurate and consistent records.
Documents not issued in Arabic may require translation, legalization or authentication depending on their type and country of origin.
Applications are submitted through the official Premium Residency Center platform.
Applicants must provide truthful and complete information.
The authority may request:
Successful applicants may need to complete fee payment, insurance, documentation or other final requirements before residency is issued.
IMBS helps individuals and families understand and prepare for the Saudi Premium Residency process.
Our support may include:
Investors planning to establish a company can also use IMBS for:
The main potential benefits include residency with eligible family members, greater independence from employer sponsorship, private-sector employment mobility, travel flexibility, relative visit visas, business and investment opportunities and permitted property ownership.
Eligible holders may reside with qualifying family members, subject to current definitions, age requirements and documentation rules.
A holder may establish or invest in a business subject to Saudi company, investment, licensing, tax, labour and sector regulations.
Premium Residency does not automatically replace company registration or required licenses.
Eligible holders may own permitted property subject to Saudi real estate laws, geographical restrictions and product-specific conditions.
Premium Residency provides a more independent residency status. Eligible holders and qualifying family members may work in permitted private-sector roles, subject to labour and professional regulations.
Official general benefits include the ability of holders and eligible family members to leave and return to Saudi Arabia without the conventional exit and re-entry visa requirement.
Saudi Arabia offers unlimited-duration Premium Residency as well as limited and qualification-based products. Some pathways may offer permanent status after the applicant meets defined conditions.
No. Premium Residency does not automatically provide Saudi citizenship, nationality or a Saudi passport.
A qualifying business investor may consider Business Investor Residency. Entrepreneurs may be more suited to Entrepreneur Residency, while property investors may qualify under Real Estate Owner Residency.
The best option depends on the applicant’s investment, ownership, funding, property and personal circumstances.
Complete the free IMBS Saudi Premium Residency Advisor for an initial assessment, or contact IMBS for a personalized application review.
Saudi Premium Residency can provide eligible investors, entrepreneurs, professionals, property owners and families with greater freedom, stability and access to opportunities in the Kingdom.
The right pathway depends on your:
Do not begin with an application form alone. Begin by selecting the correct product and confirming that your supporting evidence meets the relevant criteria.
IMBS delivers end-to-end business setup in Saudi Arabia, specializing in company formation, PRO services, and local licensing
