TL; Dr:
- From January 2024 to July 2025, Saudi Arabia received 40,163 applications for its revived premium residence, a clear indication of growing global interest.
- In 2024 alone, 8,074 permits were awarded under the leadership of the “extraordinary capacity” category, followed by talent, investor, entrepreneur and allotment under the real estate owner track.
- Premium provides resident visa-Phri entry, work and property rights, family access, and citizenship such as flexibility, foreign investment and talent were aligned with a push of Vision 2030.
More than 40,000 applicants from around the world have applied for the premium residence of Saudi Arabia from the beginning of 2024, which reflects the state’s long-term visa incentives, economic diversification, and investor-in-law reforms attracted by the high-net-world individuals and professionals attracted by the investor-untouchable reforms. The program, which expands the ability to live, work and invest in Saudi Arabia without sponsors, has become a central column in the target of drawing global talent in Vision 2030 and the capital pulling the capital into the state.
Beyond data: what is Saudi premium residence ,
Launched in 2019, Saudi Arabia’s premium residency, often dubbed “green card”, is an further -thinking residency plan, allowing migrants to live, work, invest and carry out their own assets without the need of local sponsors. It gives equality to permanent residence in other countries and was introduced as a major pillar of Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy. In January 2024, the program expanded considerably – from just two ways to seven sewn categories:
Extraordinary capacity - Talent
- Investor
- entrepreneur
- Real estate owner
- limited period
- Unlimited period premium residence
As a premium residency holder, you achieve complete access to the modern features of Saudi Arabia and the growing network of infrastructure. You can live in safe gaped communities, luxury residences, or city centers, which have legal rights for self or usufruct property. International school with globally recognized courses complete families, while advanced public and private healthcare facilities offer affordable, high quality medical services.Major cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam have global retail outlets, fine dining and comprehensive transport networks. Residents benefit from special airport streets, visa-free re-entry and streamlined mobility within the state. For holidays, the country hosts mass programs such as Riyadh season and Jeddah.
What is the steam going on in applications?
High-value benefits continue to attract global applicants:
- Residence for self and family with visa-free entry and exit
- Permission to work independently, switch employers and keep business licenses
- Rights to recruit their property, vehicle, and domestic workers
- Reach the streets of special airport, extended migration in holy cities, and family tour visa powers
Applicants are inspired by Saudi’s rapidly growing real estate and entrepreneurship environment, which lead to initiatives such as NOM and major urban development projects, which create attractive possibilities.
Who is getting approved and how many?
Among 40,163 applicants in 18 months window:
- 8,074 permits were issued in 2024 alone
- Most approval, 5,578 permits went into the extraordinary capacity category, demonstrating the demand for world class talent
- Other permit talent, investors, entrepreneurs and real estates were followed by ownership categories
why it matters
Saudi Arabia’s premium residence reflects a new era of openness and competition:
- It is a strategic tool to diversify the economy and strengthen the state’s reputation as a global investment center.
- The flexibility and freedom of the program empower migrants to deepen economic relations for a long time.
- Signs of increasing global confidence in the Kingdom’s reform agenda and increasing the quality of life’s offerings increase.
The increase in 40,000 applications within only 18 months is more than a statistical, it is a marker of growing global belief in Saudi Arabia’s improvement vision for the future. Along with a clear route for investors, professionals, entrepreneurs and families, the Premium Residency program stands as a major initiative in the Parivartan Yatra of Vision 2030.
Fasting
- What is Saudi Premium Residency?
Saudi Premium Residency is a long -term residence scheme that allows eligible foreigners to live in Saudi Arabia without the need of local sponsors. - When was the premium residency program launched?
The initiative was launched under Vision 2030 in 2019, with new variants and reforms to increase their appeal for investors and skilled professionals in 2022-2023. - How many people have applied for this so far?
According to the Saudi Gazette, more than 40,000 people have applied for the resident program between 2024 and Middle -2025. - Are the types of premium residence available?
There are many categories including investor, entrepreneur, real estate owner, skilled professional and extraordinary talent residence. Each has specific requirements and benefits. - What are the major benefits of premium residence?
Residents can sponsor their family, get their own real estate (except Mecca and Medina), get work permits, proceed independently in the Gulf, and are exempted from sponsorship (Kafala) system.
