Live and invest in Saudi Arabia with the right residency behind you.

Premium Residency gives you long-term presence, property rights and business access without a Saudi sponsor. Getting there requires the right structure, the right documentation and a team that knows which authority moves first.

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What is it

A long-term place in the Kingdom

Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency is not a visa. It is a long-term residency status.
It gives eligible investors, professionals and their families the ability to live in the Kingdom with greater independence — including the ability to own property and operate a business without a local sponsor.

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Property ownership

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Independent business operation

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No Saudi sponsor required

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Access to local banking

RESIDENCY, REDEFINED

A status, not a visa

A long-term place in the Kingdom, with greater independence for eligible residents and their families.

RESIDENCY, REDEFINED

A status, not a visa

A long-term place in the Kingdom, with greater independence for eligible residents and their families.

THE RIGHT PATHWAY FOR YOUR NEXT CHAPTER

Types of Premium Residency Visas

Seven distinct residency products, each designed around a different contribution, ambition or way of building a life in Saudi Arabia.

Healthcare professional in a clinical setting

01 / 07

EXCEPTIONAL PROFESSIONALS

Special Talent Residency

For exceptional professionals in scientific and healthcare fields, researchers and executives whose expertise can contribute to the Kingdom’s ambitions.

For expertise that moves industries forward.

Discuss this pathway ↗

Artisan objects and creative work arranged in a studio

02 / 07

CULTURE · SPORT · THE ARTS

Gifted Residency

Created for individuals with recognised distinction in cultural, artistic and sporting fields, bringing exceptional creative and athletic talent into the Kingdom.

For people whose talent reaches beyond borders.

Discuss this pathway ↗

Riyadh skyline and modern business district

03 / 07

LONG-TERM INVESTMENT

Investor Residency

A pathway for investors seeking to establish a meaningful presence in Saudi Arabia and participate in its expanding investment landscape.

For capital with a long-term perspective.

Discuss this pathway ↗

Founders working together in a contemporary office

04 / 07

FOUNDERS · INNOVATORS

Entrepreneur Residency

Designed for entrepreneurs and innovators building ventures in the Kingdom, with a route shaped around the growth and potential of their businesses.

For ideas ready to become lasting enterprises.

Discuss this pathway ↗

Traditional Saudi architecture with a warm evening atmosphere

05 / 07

QUALIFYING PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

Real Estate Owner Residency

For individuals who own or hold qualifying usufruct rights in real estate in Saudi Arabia, connecting property ownership with residency.

For those putting down roots through real assets.

Discuss this pathway ↗

Kingdom Centre tower in Riyadh at sunset

06 / 07

RENEWABLE LONG-TERM STAY

Limited Duration Premium Residency

A renewable, fixed-term residency product for people who want the flexibility of a defined period in the Kingdom, with the option to continue in line with the programme rules.

For a longer stay, with room to plan ahead.

Discuss this pathway ↗

Aerial view of modern Riyadh city buildings

07 / 07

PERMANENT RESIDENCY

Unlimited Duration Premium Residency

A permanent residency product for eligible applicants seeking a lasting home in Saudi Arabia and a long-term connection to the Kingdom.

For a future built around permanence.

Discuss this pathway ↗

These are products of Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency programme. Eligibility and detailed criteria are determined by the Premium Residency Center.

What it unlocks

Rights that a work visa does not give you.

The Premium Residency programme was created to attract qualified global talent and capital.

01Own freehold property

02Operate businesses

03No sponsor required

04Bring your family

05Access banking

06Renewable or permanent

Premium Residency Benefits

What the Premium Residency gives you

The programme grants exclusive rights to residents and their families, without a local sponsor.

01Residency for family membersSponsor your spouse, children under 25, and dependent parents to live in Saudi Arabia.

02Business ownershipEstablish and fully own companies in Saudi Arabia, with no Saudi partner or sponsor required.

03Exemption from expat feesNo monthly fees for you or your dependants, as an exemption from expat levies.

04Visa-free travelEnter and exit the Kingdom freely, without exit and re-entry visas.

05Free employer transfersMove between employers or legal entities without Kafala-based restrictions or additional fees, except for restricted professions.

06Host and invite relativesApply for visit visas for relatives outside your immediate dependants.

07Real estate ownership, 2026 updatePremium Residency holders may own real estate in Saudi Arabia. In Makkah and Madinah they may obtain usufruct rights of up to 99 years by notarial deed. From January 2026, designated zones in both cities open to Muslim expats, with full lifetime freehold expected, subject to future regulations.

Own and register vehicles, boats and aircraftHire domestic workers for personal or family needsPublic and private healthcare and educationCitizen-designated lanes at airports and land bordersEasier licences and permits for commercial activity

Benefits and rules are set by the Saudi authorities and may change. Confirm current terms with the Premium Residency Center or your advisor before applying.

How we work

Navigate Saudi runs the full application. You supply the documents.

Most applicants underestimate the complexity of the Premium Residency application. Document requirements vary by pathway, eligibility criteria are strict, and submission errors cause delays of months. We manage the entire process.

01Eligibility reviewWe assess your profile, pathway options and eligibility.

02Document preparationWe prepare, translate, attest and structure every document.

03Application submissionWe submit through the correct portal and manage authority queries.

04Approval managementWe track the application and keep you informed.

05Post-approvalWe coordinate the residency card, family additions, property or banking steps.

Residency through property

Property investment as a residency pathway.

Qualifying property investment in Saudi Arabia opens a direct route to Premium Residency. Navigate Saudi holds FAL licence 1200048021 from REGA and manages both the property acquisition and the residency application as a single coordinated engagement.

01Property acquisitionBuyer-side advisory, title verification, legal structuring and negotiation across Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah.

02Residency applicationFull application management once the qualifying investment is confirmed.

03One engagementProperty and residency handled by one team under one contract.

See our real estate advisory

Questions, answered plainly

What leadership asks first.

Full foreign ownership is available across many activities. Some sectors require a Saudi partner or a minimum Saudi shareholding. We confirm your activity’s requirements before any filing.

In some cases, yes. Under recent reform, financial-statement filing failures and certain labour violations carry personal liability on the named director. We flag and resolve these before they open.

Most setups complete in one to three months, depending on the licence type and how quickly documents are prepared and attested.

Formation is a one-time event. Operating is continuous. Most of the risk sits in the ongoing compliance cycle, not the initial filing.

Consequences range from fines to suspension or revocation of your licence and operating services. The platforms are linked, so one gap triggers others.

Corporate income tax is 20% on adjusted annual profit. VAT is 15% once taxable supplies exceed the threshold. Zakat applies to Saudi-owned share capital.

Not for most activities. Many industries allow a wholly foreign-owned company. We confirm your specific activity and recommend the right structure.

Navigate Saudi is a paid advisory. The advisory session fee is fixed and disclosed upfront. If your MISA licence is not approved, the fee is refunded in writing.