Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency - What Investors Need to Know
Saudi Arabia’s ambition to attract high-calibre global investors has accelerated significantly over the past year, nowhere more clearly than in the Kingdom’s Premium Residency Programme (PRP). Although the programme was originally launched in 2019, momentum has increased sharply across 2024 and 2025 as Saudi Arabia positions itself as the region’s most commercially dynamic emerging market.
One area drawing particularly strong attention is the Real Estate Owner Residency, designed specifically for property investors seeking long-term anchoring in the Kingdom. The programme provides residency for the whole family, freedom to operate businesses, visa-free travel, and the ability to own real estate, benefits that have strong appeal for internationally mobile high-net-worth individuals.
To qualify, applicants must invest at least SAR 4 million in a developed, mortgage-free residential property. Residency is directly tied to ownership or usufruct rights. While early uptake was slow due to the significant capital requirement, the market response has shifted. As residency-by-investment programmes mature across the Gulf, global investors have begun placing Saudi Arabia firmly on their radar. This year alone, we have observed a 266.67% increase in enquiries a clear signal that the Kingdom’s value proposition is resonating.
How the Residency Structure Works
The PRP offers flexible tiers based on investor goals.
Real Estate Residency
- Minimum SAR 4,000,000 in qualifying residential property
- Must be fully paid and mortgage-free
Annual Residency Tier
- SAR 100,000 per year
- Renewable for up to five years
Permanent Residency (Lifetime) Tier
- One-time payment of SAR 800,000
- Provides permanent residency status
These fees cover residency access alone and exclude additional costs such as health insurance, medical checks, document attestations, and family permits. Importantly, there are no hidden conditions, only proof of financial capability. The programme is intentionally exclusive, designed for serious investors with long-term strategic interest in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia vs. Dubai: Competition or Differentiation?
I’m often asked whether Saudi Arabia’s PRP competes directly with Dubai’s Golden Visa. The reality is that the two programmes speak to different investor priorities.
Dubai remains an attractive lifestyle destination with a well-established expatriate community. But investors who are commercially serious about participating in an emerging market, one undergoing one of the world’s most ambitious transformation plans, are increasingly looking toward Saudi Arabia. The PRP offers broader investment freedom, direct property ownership, and deeper access to the Kingdom’s fast-growing business ecosystem.
Interestingly, 62.5% of our leads come from individuals already living in Saudi Arabia, people who understand the pace of economic change and want to secure their long-term presence. The remainder spans the UAE, Nigeria, Turkey, India, and other key investor markets.
Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency Programme signals a shift in how the Kingdom engages with global capital. For investors aligned with the nation’s economic transformation, the PRP is more than a residency, it is a strategic foothold in a market reshaping the region’s investment landscape.
