Over 40,000 apply for Saudi Premium Residency as kingdom expands scheme

Dubai: More than 40,000 people have applied for the Saudi Premium Residency, which allows talented individuals, investors, entrepreneurs and high-value workers to work and live in the Kingdom without the need for a local sponsor.

According to Saudi Gazette, the Premium Residency platform received 40,163 applications from both local and international applicants between January 2024 and July 2025, signalling a surge in demand for the scheme designed to attract global talent and investors.

Launched to boost the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 agenda, 8,074 Premium Residency permits were issued in 2024 alone. The largest portion went to the “exceptional competence” category with 5,578 permits, followed by “talent” with 348 permits, and other categories including real estate ownership, entrepreneurship, and investment.

In early 2024, the Kingdom expanded the Premium Residency programme from two to seven categories spanning exceptional competence, talent, investor, entrepreneur, real estate owner, and both limited and unlimited duration premium residency.

Holders of the premium residency visa are entitled to extensive benefits—from permanent or time-limited residency for themselves and their families and property ownership to visa-free travel and exemption from expat levies. The rise in applications underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing global appeal as a destination for innovation, talent, and capital.

Notably, the programme allows residents to obtain usufruct rights to properties in Mecca and Medina for up to 99 years and use citizen-designated airport lanes. The Premium Residency scheme is considered a key pillar in the Kingdom’s strategy to enhance its global competitiveness by creating a more attractive living and business environment.