Saudi Premium Residency update: Over 40,000 applications filed between Jan 2024–Jul 2025

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Over 40,000 applicants have applied for Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency/Image: File

TL;DR:

From January 2024 to July 2025, Saudi Arabia received 40,163 applications for its revamped Premium Residency, a clear signal of growing global interest.
In 2024 alone, 8,074 permits were granted, led by the “Exceptional Competence” category, followed by allocations under talent, investor, entrepreneur, and real estate owner tracks.
Premium Residency offers visa-free entry, work and property rights, family access, and citizenship-like flexibility, aligned with Vision 2030’s push for foreign investment and talent.

As a Premium Residency holder, you gain full access to Saudi Arabia's growing network of modern amenities and infrastructure. You can live in secure gated communities, luxury residences, or city-center apartments, with the legal right to own or usufruct property.

International schools with globally recognized curricula cater to families, while advanced public and private healthcare facilities offer affordable, high-quality medical services.Major cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam feature global retail outlets, fine dining, and comprehensive transport networks. Residents benefit from exclusive airport lanes, visa-free re-entry, and streamlined mobility within the Kingdom.

For leisure, the country hosts large-scale events like Riyadh Season and Jeddah.

What’s driving the steam in applications?

High-value benefits continue to attract global applicants:

Applicants are motivated by Saudi’s booming real estate and entrepreneurial environment, with initiatives like NEOM and major urban development projects creating lucrative possibilities.

Who’s getting approved and how many?

Out of 40,163 applicants in the 18-month window:

8,074 permits were issued in 2024 alone
The majority of approvals, 5,578 permits went to the Exceptional Competence category, showcasing demand for world-class talent
Other permits followed across talent, investor, entrepreneur, and real estate ownership categories

Why it matters

Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency reflects a new era of openness and competitiveness:

It's a strategic tool to diversify the economy and solidify the Kingdom's reputation as a global investment hub.
The program’s flexibility and independence empower expatriates to plan long-term, deepening economic ties.
Growing uptake hints at increasing global confidence in the Kingdom’s reform agenda and quality of life offerings.

The surge toward 40,000 applications within just 18 months is more than a statistic, it’s a marker of growing global belief in Saudi Arabia's reformed vision for the future. With clear pathways for investors, professionals, entrepreneurs, and families, the Premium Residency program stands as a flagship initiative in Vision 2030’s transformation journey.

FAQs:

What is Saudi Premium Residency?
Saudi Premium Residency is a long-term residency scheme that allows eligible foreigners to live, work, own property, and run businesses in Saudi Arabia without needing a local sponsor.
When was the Premium Residency program launched?
The initiative was launched in 2019 under Vision 2030, with new variants and reforms introduced in 2022–2023 to increase its appeal to investors and skilled professionals.
How many people have applied for it so far?
More than 40,000 people have applied for the residency program between early 2024 and mid-2025, according to Saudi Gazette.
What are the types of Premium Residency available?
There are multiple categories, including investor, entrepreneur, real estate owner, skilled professional, and exceptional talent residencies. Each has specific requirements and benefits.
What are the key benefits of Premium Residency?
Residents can sponsor their family, own real estate (except in Mecca and Medina), obtain work permits, move freely across the Gulf, and are exempt from the sponsorship (kafala) system.