No sponsor
Your residence does not depend on an employer or a company. You can move between private-sector jobs freely, except roles reserved for Saudi nationals.
Premium residency in Saudi Arabia: products, fees, requirements and your company
Saudi premium residency (الإقامة المميزة) is a sponsor-free residence permit issued by the Premium Residency Center. There are seven products, from SAR 4,000 for the investor, entrepreneur and talent routes to SAR 800,000 for permanent residency with no other criteria. This page sets out the official requirements, the benefits, the application process and how premium residency fits with setting up a company.
- Fee for the 5 criteria-based products
- SAR 4,0002
- Permanent residency, no activity criteria
- SAR 800,0004
- Official processing time
- 90 working days8
Information verified in September 2026 · Notes and sources
In brief
- Saudi premium residency is a residence permit issued by the Premium Residency Center (pr.gov.sa). Holders live in Saudi Arabia without a sponsor (kafeel), with their family, and may conduct business under the Investment Law.
- There are seven products: unlimited duration (SAR 800,000, one-off), limited duration renewable yearly (SAR 100,000 per year), and five criteria-based products at SAR 4,000: special talent, gifted, investor, entrepreneur and real estate owner (fees checked on pr.gov.sa in September 2026).
- The investor product requires a stake of at least SAR 7 million in a company registered with the Ministry of Investment (MISA), a commercial registration and 10 employees on GOSI; it grants permanent residency directly, conditional on keeping those criteria for two years.
- The Premium Residency Center commits to 90 working days for processing. After approval the fee must be paid within 30 days together with health insurance, and the card is issued within 15 working days.
- General requirements include a passport valid for at least 180 days, a clean criminal record, a medical report under six months old and proof of financial solvency. Fees are non-refundable.
The 7 premium residency products and their fees
Fees and criteria published by the Premium Residency Center on pr.gov.sa, checked on 23 September 2026. The Center states that all conditions are subject to change.
Table 1
| Product | For | Main requirement | Duration | Official fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited duration | Anyone | Proof of financial capability | Permanent | SAR 800,000, one-off |
| Limited duration | Anyone aged 21 or over | Proof of financial capability | One year, renewable (up to 5 years per application) | SAR 100,000 per year |
| Investor | Investors | Stake of at least SAR 7m (MISA registration, CR, capital injected) and 10 employees on GOSI | Permanent, conditional for 2 years | SAR 4,000 |
| Entrepreneur | Start-up founders | MISA entrepreneur licence; at least SAR 400,000 raised from an accredited investor and a 20% stake (category 1), or SAR 15m, 10% and 10 + 10 jobs (category 2) | 5 years (cat. 1); permanent, conditional for 2 years (cat. 2) | SAR 4,000 |
| Special talent | Executives, healthcare, science, research | Contract with an approved entity; monthly salary of at least SAR 80,000 (executives), SAR 35,000 (healthcare, science) or SAR 14,000 (researchers), plus a minimum points score | 5 years, renewable once; permanent possible | SAR 4,000 |
| Gifted | Sport, culture, arts | Recommendation from the Ministry of Culture or Sports and financial solvency | 5 years; permanent possible | SAR 4,000 |
| Real estate owner | Home buyers | Completed residential property worth at least SAR 4m, not mortgaged; or off-plan purchase of at least SAR 4m with SAR 1m or 10% paid, from an approved developer | As long as the property is held | SAR 4,000 |
Premium residency benefits in Saudi Arabia
Benefits shared by all products, as listed by the Premium Residency Center.
Family included
Spouse, children under 25 and parents who do not work in the Kingdom. Holder and family are exempt from the monthly fee charged on expatriates' dependants.
Business activity
You may conduct business under the Investment Law. A company is still set up under the rules for foreign investors.
Property
Ownership of residential, commercial and industrial property outside Makkah, Madinah and border areas; in Makkah and Madinah, usufruct limited to the permit's term.
Travel
Exit and re-entry without a visa for the holder and family, citizens' lanes at border points, and visit visas for relatives.
Nitaqat
The special talent and gifted products exempt the holder from the Nitaqat Saudisation programme; the entrepreneur product exempts the company for its first three operating years.
Premium residency or a GM iqama: which route when you set up a company?
Most founders first get residence through their own company. Premium residency becomes relevant later, or straight away for larger investments.
Table 2
| Point | GM iqama through the company | Investor premium residency | Limited-duration premium residency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who decides | Ministry of Human Resources, Jawazat (passports directorate) | Premium Residency Center | Premium Residency Center |
| Requirement | Company formed (MISA, CR), work visa and GM contract | SAR 7m invested, 10 employees, operating company | Financial capability, aged 21+ |
| Official permit fees | Visa, iqama and work permit fees (vary) | SAR 4,000, one-off | SAR 100,000 per year |
| Tie to the company | Residence depends on the company as sponsor | Residence depends on keeping the criteria for 2 years, then permanent | None |
| Family | Possible, with a monthly dependant fee | Included, no dependant fee | Included, no dependant fee |
| Suits | Most SME founders | Established investors | Directors who want residence separate from the company |
Premium residency requirements and documents
General requirements for every product; each product adds its own evidence.
General requirements
- Passports for the applicant and family valid for at least 180 days, with no return restrictions
- Clean criminal record for the applicant and family
- Medical report under six months old showing no communicable disease
- Proof of financial solvency (recent bank statement or other document requested)
- If applying from inside Saudi Arabia: a residence permit valid for at least 90 more days
- Minimum age of 21 (stated by the Center)
Investor product
- Valid MISA investment registration
- Commercial registration and articles showing a stake of at least SAR 7m
- Proof of capital injection (audited financial statements, capital injection certificate)
- GOSI certificate showing 10 employees
Entrepreneur product
- MISA entrepreneur licence
- Proof of funding from an investor accredited by the Center
- Reference letter from the investor on the Center's form
- Cap table showing your stake (20% or 10% depending on category)
How to apply for Saudi premium residency: steps and timeline
Everything is done online at pr.gov.sa, in Arabic or English. An agent can file for you under a formal power of attorney.
- 1
Choose the product
Check each product's criteria against your situation (investment, company, salary, property) and plan the timing if the company is not yet formed.
- Qui
- You, with Tasis Partners
- Durée
- 1 to 2 weeks
- 2
Build the file
Criminal record, medical report, bank statements, company documents; translations into Arabic or English where needed.
- Qui
- You, Tasis Partners
- Durée
- 2 to 6 weeks
- 3
Apply online
Create an account on pr.gov.sa, choose the product, complete the form and upload the documents.
- Qui
- You or your agent
- Durée
- 1 day
- 4
Review by an account manager
An account manager checks the requirements and may ask for more information. If you do not respond within 60 days of a clarification request, the Center may reject the application.
- Qui
- Premium Residency Center
- Durée
- Up to 90 working days
- 5
Approval, payment and insurance
Pay the product fee and provide health insurance for yourself and your family within 30 days of the approval notice, or the application is cancelled.
- Qui
- You
- Durée
- 30 days maximum
- 6
Cards issued
Premium residency cards for the holder and family are issued from the date of payment.
- Qui
- Premium Residency Center
- Durée
- 15 working days
What makes a premium residency application fail, or a permit lapse
What Tasis Partners does, and what is not up to us
Frequently asked questions
How much does premium residency in Saudi Arabia cost?
Official fees are SAR 800,000 one-off for permanent residency, SAR 100,000 per year for limited-duration residency, and SAR 4,000 one-off for the investor, entrepreneur, special talent, gifted and real estate owner products (pr.gov.sa, September 2026). Health insurance and file preparation come on top.
What are the requirements for Saudi premium residency?
Every product requires a passport valid for at least 180 days, a clean criminal record, a medical report under six months old and proof of financial solvency. Each product adds its own criteria: SAR 7m invested for investors, a SAR 4m property for owners, an approved employer and minimum salary for special talent.
Can I own a business in Saudi Arabia with premium residency?
Yes. Holders may conduct business under the Investment Law. The company is still formed under the rules for foreign investors (MISA registration, commercial registration), but your residence no longer depends on it. See our company formation guide.
What is the difference between premium residency and a GM iqama?
A GM iqama is tied to your company, which sponsors you; if the company closes, the permit goes with it. Premium residency is a personal, sponsor-free permit that covers your family without dependant fees. For most founders the GM iqama comes first and premium residency later.
How long does premium residency take?
The Premium Residency Center commits to up to 90 working days for processing, excluding time spent answering requests for information or waiting on other agencies. After approval you have 30 days to pay and provide health insurance, then cards are issued within 15 working days.
Does premium residency cover my family?
Yes: spouse, children under 25 and parents who do not work in the Kingdom. They can work in the private sector, travel in and out without a visa and are exempt from the fee charged on expatriates' dependants.
Can a premium residency holder buy property in Makkah or Madinah?
Not as full ownership: property ownership is open outside Makkah, Madinah and border areas. In those two cities, holders can obtain usufruct rights for a period no longer than their permit.
Notes and sources
- 1.Premium Residency Center: portal and product list
- 2.Premium Residency Center: investor residency (SAR 7m, SAR 4,000)
- 3.Premium Residency Center: entrepreneur residency
- 4.Premium Residency Center: limited and unlimited duration (SAR 100,000 / 800,000)
- 5.Premium Residency Center: real estate owner residency
- 6.Premium Residency Center: special talent residency
- 7.Premium Residency Center: detailed conditions and criteria by product
- 8.Premium Residency Center: service level agreement (90 working days)
Information verified in September 2026. Amounts and timelines are observed ranges provided for information only. Government fees are set by Saudi authorities and may change: we confirm them in writing before you commit to anything.
See also
GM iqama or premium residency: pick the right route
In a free 30-minute call we look at your company plans, your family and your budget, and tell you which residence route works now and which to aim for next. Written proposal, official fees recharged at cost, final decision with the Premium Residency Center.
- Free 30-minute first call
- Reply within one business day
- No commitment