Saudi Arabia has announced new updates to its Premium Residency (Iqama) program for October 2025, allowing foreign nationals to live, work, and invest in the Kingdom without the need for a sponsor (kafeel).
The program offers two types of residency:
- Permanent Residency, with a one-time fee of SAR 800,000 (approximately USD 213,000)
- Renewable Residency, with an annual fee of SAR 100,000 (around USD 26,700)
Under this scheme, eligible residents can own property, run businesses, take up employment, sponsor family members, and access banking, education, and healthcare services. They are also permitted to transfer funds abroad. However, Saudi citizenship and voting rights are not included in the program.
To qualify, applicants must be at least 21 years old, possess a valid passport, have no criminal record, be medically fit, and have legal entry into Saudi Arabia. Applications can be submitted through the official government website, and decisions are typically made within one to three months.
According to Saudi authorities, the Premium Residency initiative aims to diversify the national economy, attract global investors, and create new opportunities for skilled professionals as part of the Kingdom’s broader Vision 2030 strategy.
