How to Get Permanent Residency in Saudi Arabia: 5 Specialized Visa Pathways Explained

If you’ve been wondering how to get permanent residency in Saudi Arabia, you’re not alone. With Saudi Arabia opening up new doors for foreigners who want to live, work, or invest in the Kingdom, the landscape of residency options has changed dramatically. Gone are the days when your only options were employment visas or expensive one-time payments. Now, Saudi offers several specialized visas that can lead to long-term or even permanent residency—and they’re designed to attract investors, talented professionals, entrepreneurs, and more.

Let me walk you through the five main visa types you can pursue to make Saudi Arabia your home, whether you’re eyeing the business scene, the booming tech sector, or just want to retire in a place with rich culture and opportunity. This isn’t just a dry breakdown of visa rules—I’ll give you real insights, examples, and practical tips so you can figure out what fits your goals and how to start your journey.

Table of Contents

• Why Saudi Arabia Is Opening Up for Permanent Residency
• 1. Premium Residency Program: The Classic “Pay to Stay” Option
• 2. Special Talents Visa: For Doctors, Researchers, and Influencers
• 3. Gifted Visa: For Professional Athletes and Sportspeople
• 4. Entrepreneur Visa: For Business Owners with Existing Companies
• 5. Investor Visa: For Those Who Secure Investment in Saudi Companies
• Bonus: Real Estate Investment for Residency
• How to Navigate These Residency Options: Practical Tips
• Common Questions About Permanent Residency in Saudi Arabia
• Wrapping It Up: Your Roadmap to Permanent Residency in Saudi Arabia

Why Saudi Arabia Is Opening Up for Permanent Residency

First off, why all the fuss about residency in Saudi Arabia? The Kingdom has been historically conservative with its immigration policies, but that’s changing as it tries to compete with neighbors like the UAE. The UAE has long been the go-to destination for long-term residency and business-friendly policies, but Saudi Arabia is now stepping up with its own version of the “Golden Visa” called the Premium Residency Program.

The goal? To attract not just tourists or temporary workers but people who want to settle down, invest, and contribute to Saudi’s growing economy—especially in cutting-edge fields like AI, robotics, and research. At the same time, Saudi Arabia wants to keep some of its cultural values intact, so they’re balancing openness with selectivity.

If you’re serious about making the move, understanding these new visa options is key. Let’s dive into the five ways you can get permanent residency in Saudi Arabia.

1. Premium Residency Program: The Classic “Pay to Stay” Option

Let’s start with what many people think of first: the Premium Residency Program. This is Saudi Arabia’s version of the UAE’s Golden Visa, but with its own twist.

The old way: You pay a hefty one-time fee of 800,000 Saudi Riyals (roughly $200,000 or £160,000) and you get permanent residency. This gives you the right to live in Saudi Arabia indefinitely, buy property, start a business, and even enter through the special “Saudi” line at immigration checkpoints. The residency covers your entire immediate family—wives, children, and parents included.

The catch? It’s a big upfront cost, and the residency lasts as long as you’re alive, but there’s no refund or transfer if you leave or pass away. So it’s a serious commitment.

The new twist: Saudi Arabia now offers a yearly Premium Residency option where you pay 100,000 Riyals (about $25,000 or £16,000) per year. This fee decreases by 2% each year for up to five years, and after that, you can apply for permanent residency. This is a great way to “test the waters” without dropping all the cash upfront.

Who is this for? If you have solid financial resources and want the flexibility to live and work in Saudi Arabia without sponsorship or visa headaches, this is the most straightforward route. Plus, with family included, it can be cost-effective if you’re bringing multiple dependents.

Pros and Cons of Premium Residency Program

• Pros: Freedom to live, work, and invest in Saudi Arabia. Family included. No need for employer sponsorship.
• Cons: High upfront or annual fees. Residency linked to your lifetime or yearly payments. No refund if plans change.

2. Special Talents Visa: For Doctors, Researchers, and Influencers

Saudi Arabia is aggressively trying to attract highly skilled professionals and talents who can contribute to its vision for the future. If you’re a specialist doctor, researcher, or someone with unique skills, this visa might be your golden ticket.

How it works: You apply online, pay a 4,000 Riyal fee, and if you qualify based on Saudi’s list of in-demand skills, you get premium residency. The list includes medical professionals, researchers, and even certain influencers with a strong public profile.

Important note: You must already be residing in Saudi Arabia to apply for this visa. That means you’ll likely need to come in on a different visa first (like employment) before upgrading to this premium residency.

Why is this cool? Once you get this visa, you’re not tied to your employer anymore. You can live and work freely in Saudi Arabia, which is a huge upgrade from traditional work visas.

Tips for Special Talents Visa Applicants

• Secure a job in Saudi Arabia in your specialized field first.
• Build a strong CV and professional network within the Kingdom.
• Keep an eye on updates to the official list of eligible talents.

3. Gifted Visa: For Professional Athletes and Sportspeople

Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in sports as part of its broader modernization and international image efforts. If you’re a professional athlete—think boxing, martial arts, football, or any recognized sport—you might qualify for the gifted visa.

Application process: Similar to the Special Talents visa, you pay a 4,000 Riyal fee and apply. The gifted visa might allow some flexibility about being inside Saudi Arabia at the time of application, especially if you’re a high-profile athlete.

This visa is part of Saudi’s “sports washing” push, aiming to bring top athletes to the Kingdom and boost its sports industry.

What You Need to Know About the Gifted Visa

• Proof of professional sports career is essential.
• Saudi Arabia is looking for athletes who can raise the profile of sports locally.
• Being inside Saudi Arabia might be required, but exceptions exist for top-tier athletes.

4. Entrepreneur Visa: For Business Owners with Existing Companies

If you’re an entrepreneur with a functioning business outside Saudi Arabia and want to expand into the Kingdom, this visa is designed for you.

Here’s the deal: You must already have a company operating outside Saudi Arabia. You apply for an entrepreneur license, explain your business plan (especially if it involves cutting-edge sectors like AI, robotics, or data analysis), and then open a branch of your company in Saudi Arabia.

Key point: You can’t just set up a brand-new company from scratch inside Saudi Arabia with this visa. Your business must have a proven track record outside the Kingdom first.

Once approved, you get premium residency and can even sponsor up to five employees under the “special talents” category. This is huge if you want to create a team locally and grow your footprint.

Why This Visa Makes Sense

• It prioritizes quality over quantity—Saudi wants serious businesses, not just anyone with an idea.
• Allows you to bring in key talent under your sponsorship.
• Supports strategic sectors that align with Saudi’s vision 2030.

5. Investor Visa: For Those Who Secure Investment in Saudi Companies

This visa is slightly different from the entrepreneur visa. Instead of you investing your own capital, it’s about securing investment from Saudi-approved companies into your business idea.

How it works: You present your business idea to a whitelist of Saudi investment bodies. If they like it, they invest money into your company. The amount of investment determines your residency duration:

• 400,000 Riyals investment = 5-year residency
• 2 million Riyals investment = permanent residency

This means you don’t have to put up all the money yourself; instead, you attract Saudi investors who buy shares in your company. As long as you retain at least 20% ownership, you qualify for the visa.

Investor Visa vs. Entrepreneur Visa

• Investor Visa: Involves third-party investment into your business idea.
• Entrepreneur Visa: You’re expanding an existing business you own into Saudi Arabia.

Both pathways require strong business plans and alignment with Saudi’s economic goals.

Bonus: Real Estate Investment for Residency

Last but not least, there’s the option to get residency by investing in real estate.

The requirement: You buy property in Saudi Arabia worth at least 4 million Riyals (about $1 million or £800,000). The property must be fully paid for and already built—not under construction.

This option is popular for retirees or those looking for a second home in Saudi Arabia. If you have property in your home country, you could sell that and use the funds to buy property in Saudi and gain residency.

Important Details About Real Estate Residency

• Property must be fully owned—mortgages or payment plans don’t qualify.
• The property must exist (no off-plan purchases).
• Residency is linked to property ownership and allows you to live in Saudi Arabia.

How to Navigate These Residency Options: Practical Tips

So, you’re pumped about these options but wondering where to start? Here are some straightforward steps:

1. Set your goals: Are you coming for work, business, investment, or retirement? Your approach depends on your end game.
2. Visit Saudi Arabia first: Use a tourist visa or e-visa waiver to explore cities, neighborhoods, and business hubs. Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, and Medina offer very different vibes and opportunities.
3. Understand the market: Riyadh is the new hotspot for investment and innovation, while Jeddah remains a commercial and cultural hub close to religious sites.
4. Build your network: Whether you want to apply as a special talent, entrepreneur, or investor, connections matter. Attend local business events, connect with recruiters, and get referrals.
5. Prepare your documentation: This includes a polished CV (with a photo—yes, it’s expected in Saudi Arabia), business plans, proof of investments, and any professional licenses or certifications.
6. Be patient and persistent: Visa processes can take time, and requirements may shift as Saudi Arabia evolves its policies.

Common Questions About Permanent Residency in Saudi Arabia

Q: Can I apply for permanent residency from outside Saudi Arabia?

A: It depends on the visa type. Investor and entrepreneur visas can be applied for from abroad as long as you have the necessary business setup. However, special talents and gifted visas generally require you to already be residing in Saudi Arabia.

Q: Does the premium residency cover my entire family?

A: Yes. Premium residency typically covers your spouse, children, and parents, giving your whole family the right to live in Saudi Arabia.

Q: Is the Premium Residency Program the same as the UAE Golden Visa?

A: They’re similar in concept—both offer long-term or permanent residency without employer sponsorship—but Saudi Arabia’s program has higher financial thresholds and some unique conditions, like fully paid property for real estate residency.

Q: What sectors are prioritized for the entrepreneur and investor visas?

A: Saudi Arabia focuses on tech-driven fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, data analytics, healthcare innovation, and other knowledge-based industries aligned with Vision 2030.

Q: What happens if my business fails after I get residency?

A: Good news—you don’t have to leave immediately. Your premium residency remains valid until its expiration, even if your company doesn’t succeed.

Q: Can I work freely with these visas?

A: Yes. Unlike traditional employment visas tied to a specific employer, premium residency allows you to work, start businesses, and live without sponsorship restrictions.

Wrapping It Up: Your Roadmap to Permanent Residency in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s evolving residency options open exciting doors for people worldwide. Whether you’re a well-funded investor, a skilled professional, an ambitious entrepreneur, or a retiree looking for a change, there’s a pathway tailored for you.

Here’s the bottom line on how to get permanent residency in Saudi Arabia:

• Assess your resources and goals. Do you have capital to invest? Do you bring unique skills? Are you ready to start or expand a business?
• Choose the right visa category. Premium Residency for cash buyers, Special Talents or Gifted for professionals and athletes, Entrepreneur or Investor for business owners, Real Estate for property investors.
• Prepare your application carefully. Gather documents, build networks, and understand Saudi’s priorities.
• Consider visiting first. Spend time in different cities to find the right fit culturally and professionally.
• Stay updated. Saudi Arabia’s policies are shifting as they open up; keep an eye on official announcements and consult experts if needed.

Moving to Saudi Arabia can be a game-changer. With the right plan and persistence, permanent residency isn’t just a dream—it’s an achievable goal. And once you have it, you’ll enjoy the freedom to live, work, and invest in one of the Middle East’s most dynamic countries.

If you’re ready to take the next step, start by exploring which visa fits your profile best and reach out to local consultants or legal experts to navigate the process smoothly.

Remember, permanent residency in Saudi Arabia isn’t just about a visa—it’s about unlocking new opportunities, embracing a vibrant culture, and building a future where you and your family can thrive.