Hong Kong
Taiwan
VietnamCarefully selected qualifying assets
We shortlist properties, funds and investments against the official rules and our own criteria, so they qualify and also make sense as investments.
Saudi long-term and permanent residence
Saudi Arabia Premium Residency
Obtain long-term or permanent residence in Saudi Arabia through a one-time fee, property or investment — no local sponsor, and your parents can be included.
Reviewed by Fergus Wu · Updated October 2026
Programme overview
Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency (often called the “Saudi green card”) lets foreigners live in Saudi Arabia long term or permanently without depending on an employer or sponsor. By fee there are two types: Limited Duration residence at SAR 100,000 a year, and Unlimited Duration (permanent) residence for a one-time SAR 800,000. Since 2024 there are also Real Estate Owner, Investor, Entrepreneur, Special Talent and Gifted categories, and from January 2026 a new law opens up residential property purchases by foreigners (with restrictions remaining in areas such as Makkah and Madinah).
Not sure this programme is the best fit?
Dedicated professional team · Mandarin, Cantonese and English · Reply within one working day
InvestmentFrom SAR 100,000
Investment routesAnnual fee, one-time fee, property or investment
Property routeHomes from SAR 4,000,000
FamilySpouse, children under 25 and parents
Summary
Unlimited Duration (permanent) residence requires a one-time payment of SAR 800,000; Limited Duration residence costs SAR 100,000 a year and is renewable. Both require proof of financial capacity. The Real Estate Owner route requires completed residential property worth at least SAR 4,000,000, free of any mortgage and valued by an accredited valuer, and the residence remains valid only while you own the property. Premium Residency does not automatically lead to Saudi citizenship.
Key benefits of Saudi Premium Residency
- No employer or sponsorYou sponsor yourself, free of any single employer, and can live in Saudi Arabia long term or permanently.
- One payment, permanent residenceA one-time SAR 800,000 gives Unlimited Duration residence, with no annual renewal.
- Three generations togetherYour spouse, children under 25 and parents can live with you in Saudi Arabia.
- No expat or dependant feesHolders and their families are exempt from the fees charged on expatriates and their dependants.
- Free to come and goYou and your family can leave and re-enter Saudi Arabia without exit or re-entry visas.
- Own property and run a businessYou may own real estate (with restrictions in some areas) and do business under the Investment Law.
- Family can workYour spouse and children can work in the private sector and change employers.
- Change jobs freelyYou can move between private-sector employers without being tied to a sponsor.
- Citizen lanes and family visit visasUse the lanes reserved for citizens at the border and obtain visit visas for relatives.
Why Global Immigrate for Saudi Premium Residency
- with a one-time SAR 800,000
- Permanent
- spouse, children under 25 and parents
- 3 generations
- families helped by Global Immigrate across all programmes
- 500+
GI Group overseas property team
GI Group’s overseas property team helps you find, negotiate and buy — and later manage lettings.
Clear, transparent fees
All service fees and third-party costs are set out in writing before you sign — no hidden charges — and our refund terms are explained clearly.
Planning beyond immigration
GI Group’s teams can handle pre-immigration tax, asset allocation, your children’s education and overseas property at the same time, so the arrangements never conflict.
Requirements
Investment options
Choose one of the following options; the other requirements are listed below.
- LimitedSAR 100,000 a yearRenewed yearly
- EntrepreneurFrom SAR 400,0005-year residency
- SAR 15,000,000 for permanent residency
- UnlimitedSAR 800,000One-time fee
- Property ownerSAR 4,000,000Completed residential property
- Free of any mortgage
- InvestorSAR 7,000,000Investment
- Must create jobs
- Special talentNo investmentBy profession and monthly salary
- GiftedNo investmentCultural and sports talent
Applicants generally need to meet the following:
- A valid passport
- Proof of financial capacity
- No criminal record and a satisfactory medical examination
Investment rules
Investment requirements in detail
Premium Residency has fee-based and asset-based routes. Limited and Unlimited Duration residency are obtained by paying a government fee, with no asset to hold. The Real Estate Owner, Investor and Entrepreneur categories require specified assets or investment, and the residency depends on keeping them.
Unlimited Duration (permanent)
AmountSAR 800,000 (one-off)
Requirements
A government fee; no asset or investment to hold
Limited Duration
AmountSAR 100,000 a year
Requirements
An annual fee, paid on each yearly renewal; several years (up to five) can be prepaid
Real Estate Owner
AmountResidential property SAR 4,000,000
Requirements
Completed residential property, free of any mortgage or real-estate financing; valued by a Taqeem-accredited valuer; valid while the property is held; fee SAR 4,000
Investor
AmountSAR 7,000,000
Requirements
Investment licence; investment in Saudi economic activity, proven within two years, plus at least 10 jobs; permanent from the start, conditional for the first two years
Entrepreneur
AmountFunding of SAR 400,000 or SAR 15,000,000
Requirements
MISA entrepreneur licence; funding from a MISA-accredited entity; SAR 400,000 gives five years, SAR 15,000,000 gives permanent residency
Real Estate Owner: what counts and limits
- Ownership of, or usufruct over, completed residential property worth at least SAR 4,000,000
- Undeveloped or unimproved land does not count
- The property must be free of existing or future mortgages and not linked to real-estate financing
- It must be valued by a valuer accredited by Taqeem, the Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers
- The residency lasts only while ownership or usufruct is maintained
- The Real Estate Ownership by Non-Saudis Law took effect in January 2026, and its Implementing Regulations and designated zones for foreign ownership were approved by the Council of Ministers on 23 June 2026; in Makkah and Madinah individual ownership is limited to Muslims, and elsewhere the designated zones published by REGA apply
Investor: investing and maintaining
- An investment licence from the Ministry of Investment is required
- At least SAR 7,000,000 must be invested in Saudi economic activity, with the investment proven within the first two years
- At least 10 jobs must be created in Saudi Arabia
- Permanent residency is conditional for the first two years on meeting the investment and job targets
Entrepreneur: two levels
- Level one: at least SAR 400,000 in funding from a MISA-accredited entity, a shareholding of at least 20%, and a recommendation letter from the investor
- Level one is a five-year residency, renewable once if eligibility continues and the holder has lived in Saudi Arabia for 30 months within the five years
- Level two: at least SAR 15,000,000 in funding, a shareholding of at least 10%, and at least 10 jobs created in each of the first two years; permanent residency from the start
- The start-up is exempt from Saudisation quotas for up to three years
General financial and application requirements
- All categories require proof of sufficient financial means, a clean criminal record, medical fitness and valid health insurance
- Applicants already in Saudi Arabia must hold legal status and have settled obligations under any previous residence
- The government fee for the Real Estate Owner, Investor and Entrepreneur categories is a one-off SAR 4,000
Based on the Premium Residency Center's category criteria announced in January 2024 (as reported by Fragomen, Gulf News and others; the official site could not be accessed directly) and the Real Estate General Authority, as at November 2026; subject to change by the authorities.
Our three guarantees
Full service-fee refund if refused
Guaranteed in your service agreement: if your application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full — or you can switch to another suitable programme at no extra charge.
No extra charge for further documents or resubmission
If the authorities request further documents, or an application must be resubmitted, we handle it at no additional service fee.
Handled by professionals, fee fixed at signing
Every application is prepared and reviewed by our professional immigration team. Your service fee is fixed when you sign, with no additional charges afterwards.
Service fees exclude investment amounts, government fees and third-party costs. Refusals caused by false or incomplete information, or by the applicant not cooperating as required, are not eligible for a refund. Full terms are set out in the service agreement.
The main Premium Residency routes
| Route | Main requirement |
|---|---|
| Unlimited Duration (permanent) | One-time SAR 800,000 |
| Limited Duration | SAR 100,000 a year, renewable |
| Real Estate Owner | Completed home worth SAR 4,000,000 or more, free of mortgage (application fee SAR 4,000) |
| Investor | An investment of SAR 7,000,000, creating jobs |
| Entrepreneur | Funding of at least SAR 400,000 from an accredited entity |
| Special Talent | By profession and monthly salary |
| Gifted | Cultural and sports talent, with a recommendation or award from the relevant authority |
Durations differ by category: the Investor route (SAR 7,000,000 plus job creation) and the higher Entrepreneur tier (SAR 15,000,000) give permanent residence directly (subject to keeping the investment, jobs and other conditions); the Real Estate Owner route is valid while you own the property; Special Talent, Gifted and the first Entrepreneur tier are generally five-year terms (renewable once). Subject to the Premium Residency Center’s latest announcements.
Free Saudi Premium Residency brochure
Covers the requirements, process and timeline, a fee overview and FAQs. Leave your details and we’ll send it to you.
Thank you — the brochure is on its way to your inbox
If you can’t see it, please check your spam folder. A consultant may also contact you to answer any questions about the programme.
Application process
- Assessment and choice of route2–4 weeksWe compare the routes against your funds, property and background and confirm the right category.
- Documents1–2 monthsPrepare your passport, proof of finances and property or investment documents.
- Online applicationDepends on processingApply and pay the fees through the Premium Residency Center’s platform.
- Residence and family registrationAfter approvalReceive your residence and register your spouse, children and parents.
Pathway to PR and citizenship
- Premium ResidencyDepends on processing (no official processing time published)
Indefinite (permanent) or renewable long-term residence, with the right to own property and run a business, and family can live with you. It does not automatically lead to Saudi nationality.
Keeping permanent statusIndefinite residence generally has no minimum stay; the property route requires keeping the property
General information only; requirements follow each country’s latest rules and can vary with your circumstances.
Saudi Premium Residency client stories
Client storyThree generations together under Saudi Premium Residency
Mr Tsai’s Saudi Premium Residency experience. He wanted three generations to live together while he worked in Saudi Arabia.
Read the full storyClient storyComparing annual fees with a one-time payment, and choosing Saudi permanent residenceMr Chau’s Saudi Premium Residency experience. He wanted long-term residence in Saudi Arabia.
Read the full storyClient storyConfirming the property must be mortgage-free, and the Property Owner routeMs Cheung’s Saudi Premium Residency experience. She wanted Saudi residence through property.
Read the full storyCompared with other options: Middle East
See the Middle East overview| Programme | Investment | Status | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE Golden Visa | Property from AED 2,000,000 (entrepreneur and talent routes also available) | 10-year residence, renewable | Usually about 2–3 weeks once documents are complete | Long-term residence through property, living in Dubai or Abu Dhabi |
| Saudi Arabia Premium ResidencyThis programme | One-time SAR 800,000, or a home worth SAR 4,000,000 | Permanent or long-term residence | Depends on processing | Permanent residence in one step, or three generations together |
Saudi Premium Residency FAQ
Does Premium Residency lead to citizenship?
It does not automatically lead to Saudi citizenship; Premium Residency is long-term or permanent residence.
What is the difference between SAR 800,000 and SAR 4,000,000?
SAR 800,000 is a one-time fee for permanent residence. SAR 4,000,000 is the property value threshold for the Real Estate Owner route, where the application fee is SAR 4,000 and the residence lasts as long as you own the property.
Can mortgaged property be used for the property route?
No. It must be completed residential property, free of any mortgage, and valued by an accredited valuer.
Can my family apply with me?
Yes — your spouse, children under 25 and parents can be included.
Can foreigners buy property in Saudi Arabia?
From January 2026 a new law opens up residential property purchases by foreigners; Makkah and Madinah remain restricted, and some other areas also have limits, subject to the latest official rules.
Sources
- Saudi Premium Residency Center
- Saudi Premium Residency Center
- Fragomen (law firm): Five new Premium Residency categories introduced (January 2024)
- Gulf News: Saudi Arabia's five new Premium Residency options and eligibility
- Argaam: REGA says Non-Saudi Real Estate Ownership Law in force
- Greenberg Traurig (law firm): Saudi Arabia publishes Implementing Regulations to the Foreign Ownership of Real Estate Law (July 2026)
- Mondaq / Sovereign Group: Saudi Arabia's Premium Residency programmes, a complete guide (December 2025)
GI GroupAfter your new status: tax, succession, education and overseas property
Explore group services
Your tax residency, asset structure and succession arrangements matter most before you move. GI Group can handle tax planning, asset management and wealth succession, your children’s education overseas, and buying a home or investment property in your new country.
Book a consultation
One of our professional consultants will contact you — free and confidential.
Thank you — we have received your request
A consultant will contact you within one working day.