What Is Premium Residency and Why It Matters in 2025
Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency program—often referred to as the “Saudi Green Card”—is a long-term, sponsor-free residency framework introduced under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative. It enables qualified foreign nationals to reside, invest, and operate businesses in Saudi Arabia without the need for a local sponsor. This marks a major shift from traditional Gulf residency models and is designed to attract global expertise, capital, and innovation.
For clients of MHK Services, Premium Residency offers a legally sound and strategically valuable route to establishing long-term presence in one of the region’s most rapidly evolving markets.
Residency Options Available Under the Current Framework
As of 2025, the Saudi Premium Residency Center (SPRC) offers seven distinct residency categories, each tailored to different applicant profiles and strategic goals:
- Unlimited Duration Residency: Lifetime access with a one-time payment of SAR 800,000
- Limited Duration Residency: Renewable annually at SAR 100,000
- Investor Residency: Designed for individuals investing in Saudi-based enterprises
- Entrepreneur Residency: Targeted at startup founders and innovation-driven ventures
- Exceptional Competence Residency: Reserved for professionals in high-demand sectors such as medicine, law, and engineering
- Talent Residency: Open to creatives, academics, and niche specialists
- Real Estate Owner Residency: For foreign nationals acquiring property within the Kingdom
MHK Services provides tailored advisory support to help applicants identify the most suitable track and prepare documentation that meets SPRC’s compliance standards.
Strategic Advantages for Residency Holders
Premium Residency offers a range of benefits that go beyond conventional visa programs. These include:
- Full ownership of businesses and commercial entities
- Property acquisition rights across most regions (with long-term usufruct options in Mecca and Medina)
- Residency coverage for spouse, children under 25, and parents
- Visa-free travel in and out of the Kingdom
- Access to private healthcare and international education
- Exemption from expatriate levies and exit visa requirements
These features make the program especially attractive to MHK’s clientele—entrepreneurs, consultants, and investors seeking sponsor-free autonomy and regional mobility.
Eligibility Requirements and Application Process
While requirements vary by category, general eligibility includes:
- A valid passport
- Clean criminal record
- Recent medical clearance
- Demonstrated financial solvency
Additional documentation may be required depending on the chosen track, such as investment statements, business licenses, or professional endorsements. Applications are submitted through SPRC’s online portal and undergo a thorough review process.
MHK Services supports clients throughout this journey, offering strategic guidance, document preparation, and compliance checks to ensure successful outcomes.
Application Trends and Market Insights
Between January 2024 and July 2025, SPRC received over 40,000 applications. In 2024 alone, more than 8,000 permits were issued, with the majority granted under the Exceptional Competence and Entrepreneur categories. This surge reflects Saudi Arabia’s shift toward skill-based and innovation-led residency, aligning with its broader economic diversification goals.
MHK Services tracks these trends closely to help clients time their applications and align with priority sectors.
Real Estate Impact: Residency Driving Property Demand
Premium Residency has had a measurable impact on Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector. In Q1 2025, the Kingdom recorded SAR 109 billion in property transactions. Rental yields reached 9% in Riyadh and 4% in Jeddah, while residential prices rose by 6.6% year-on-year.
Foreign nationals acquiring long-term residential and commercial assets are contributing to this growth. MHK Services offers due diligence and acquisition support for clients entering the Saudi property market under the Premium Residency framework.
Financial Incentives and Tax Relief
Premium Residency holders benefit from a range of financial advantages:
- No personal income tax on salaries or wages
- Exemption from expatriate levies for both the holder and dependents
- No exit visa requirements
- Freedom to repatriate capital and profits
These incentives make the program particularly appealing to high-net-worth individuals and business owners seeking cost-effective relocation and operational flexibility.
Family Inclusion and Lifestyle Access
The program allows holders to include their spouse, children under 25, and parents under the same residency umbrella. Families can live, work, and study in Saudi Arabia without additional sponsorship. Access to international schools, private healthcare, and unrestricted travel enhances the lifestyle appeal for relocating families.
MHK Services ensures that family documentation is properly structured and aligned with SPRC requirements.
Comparing Premium Residency with Other Gulf Programs
Compared to the UAE’s Golden Visa or Qatar’s Permanent Residency, Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency offers sponsor-free access from the outset. There are no minimum stay requirements, and business ownership is unrestricted. While other Gulf programs may require local partnerships or sector-specific approvals, Saudi Arabia’s model is broader and more autonomous—especially for MHK clients seeking full control over their operations.
Challenges and How MHK Services Resolves Them
Applicants may face challenges such as:
- Navigating category-specific documentation
- Understanding property restrictions in religious zones
- Meeting solvency thresholds and sector-specific compliance
MHK Services mitigates these risks by offering tailored advisory support, ensuring applications are complete, compliant, and strategically aligned with SPRC expectations.
What’s Ahead: Future Enhancements to Premium Residency
Saudi Arabia is expected to expand the program further in 2026. Anticipated updates include:
- Launch of digital nomad residency pathways
- Fast-track approvals for strategic sectors such as AI, fintech, and biotech
- Enhanced integration with national platforms for taxation, healthcare, and education
- Broader outreach to South Asia, Europe, and the GCC
MHK Services continues to monitor these developments and will guide clients on emerging opportunities.
Conclusion: Premium Residency as a Strategic Platform for Growth
Premium Residency is no longer a niche offering—it’s a strategic gateway to long-term engagement with Saudi Arabia’s economy. For MHK Services clients, it enables sponsor-free autonomy, business ownership, family inclusion, and access to one of the region’s most promising markets.
Whether entering the Kingdom as an investor, entrepreneur, or skilled professional, Premium Residency provides a future-ready platform for growth, stability, and regional influence.