Saudi Arabia · Permanent Residence
Permanent Residency in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia offers permanent residence through Premium Residency. Investors can obtain conditional permanent residency directly, founders can earn it by creating jobs, and an Unlimited Duration product exists for applicants who pay for indefinite status.
- Startup route
- Entrepreneur Residency (Premium Residency)
- Minimum capital
- Product-specific; confirm with Premium Residency Center
- Permanent residence
- Conditional PR via job targets or Investor product
- Citizenship
- 10 consecutive years' residence; discretionary
Investor Residency
The Investor Residency was launched in January 2024 for investors seeking to put capital to work across the Saudi economy. Its defining benefit, according to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, is that holders directly obtain conditional permanent residency. The holder also receives the general Premium Residency rights: family residence, property ownership outside restricted areas, freedom to work and change employers, travel without visas and exemption from expatriate fees. The investment threshold and fee for this product are set by the authorities and published by the Premium Residency Center, which applicants consult for current figures before planning an investment.
- Status granted
- Conditional permanent residency, directly
- Launched
- 10 January 2024
- Minimum investment
- Varies; confirm with the Premium Residency Center
- Family
- Spouses, children and parents, per the regulations
- Business
- Register investments with the Ministry of Investment
Requirements
- A valid passport, proof of financial solvency and a clean criminal record certificate.
- A recent health report and lawful status if already in Saudi Arabia.
- An investment meeting the Investor product's current criteria.
- Payment of the fee and medical insurance within 30 days of approval.
How to apply
- Review the Investor Residency criteria on the Premium Residency Center portal.
- Apply online with identity, solvency, criminal record and health documents.
- Pay the fee and submit insurance within 30 days of approval.
- Register the investment activity with the Ministry of Investment.
Unlimited Duration Premium Residency
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology describes the Unlimited Duration product, together with the Limited Duration product, as catering to people who want to live in Saudi Arabia for an unlimited or a limited period. Unlike the Investor and Entrepreneur products, its official description sets no investment or job-creation milestone, and it predates the five products added in January 2024. Holders receive the same rights as other Premium Residency holders, and the status can still be cancelled for serious criminal convictions, deportation orders, false information in the application or failure to respect Saudi law. The fee is set by the authorities and should be confirmed with the Premium Residency Center.
- Duration
- Indefinite
- Qualifying basis
- General Premium Residency conditions and fee
- Government fee
- Varies; confirm with the Premium Residency Center
- Cancellation
- Serious conviction, deportation or false information
Requirements
- A valid passport and proof of financial solvency.
- A clean criminal record certificate and a health report under six months old.
- Lawful residence when applying from inside Saudi Arabia.
- Payment of the product fee and medical insurance within 30 days of approval.
How to apply
- Select the Unlimited Duration product on the Premium Residency Center portal.
- Submit the application and supporting documents.
- Pay the fee and provide insurance within 30 days of approval.
Conditional permanent residency through job creation
Entrepreneur Residency holders do not start with permanent status. They reach conditional permanent residency directly once their company creates 10 jobs in its first year and 10 more in its second, according to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The word conditional matters: permanent status under Premium Residency can still be cancelled under the law's grounds, such as a conviction carrying at least 60 days in prison or a fine of SAR 100,000 or more. Permanent Premium Residency also remains a residence status, and naturalization is decided separately under the Law of Saudi Arabian Nationality.
Questions and answers
Can a foreign investor get permanent residency in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. The Investor Residency, launched in January 2024, lets holders directly obtain conditional permanent residency. The current investment criteria and fees are published by the Premium Residency Center, and the investment itself is registered with the Ministry of Investment under the Investment Law.
How does a startup founder reach permanent residency in Saudi Arabia?
Through the Entrepreneur Residency's job milestones. Once the company creates 10 jobs in its first year and another 10 in its second, the founder can directly obtain conditional permanent residency. Until then the founder holds the Entrepreneur Residency with the standard Premium Residency rights.
Does Saudi permanent residency lead to citizenship?
Not automatically. Premium Residency is a residence status, and Saudi nationality is governed by a separate law that requires at least ten consecutive years of residence, fluent Arabic and other conditions. Naturalization is granted at the discretion of the government, and the Minister of Interior may refuse a proposal without giving reasons.
Official sources
- Premium Residency - Ministry of Communications and Information Technologymcit.gov.sa
- Investor Residency - Premium Residency Centerpr.gov.sa
- Limited and Unlimited Duration Residency - Premium Residency Centerpr.gov.sa
- Privileged Residency Permit Law - Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministerslaws.boe.gov.sa
- Saudi Premium Residency Center Launches Five New Products - SPAwww.spa.gov.sa
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Saudi Arabia.
Startup visa
Entrepreneur Residency from the Premium Residency Center for tech startups
02Temporary residence
Premium Residency for a set term, with family, property and business rights
03Permanent residence
Conditional PR through 20 jobs in two years, or the Investor product
04Citizenship
Discretionary naturalization after 10 years; fluent Arabic required