Saudi Premium Residency

Saudi Premium Residency is a residence permit run by the Premium Residency Center. Normally a foreign worker in Saudi Arabia is sponsored by their employer. Premium Residency is different: you hold the permit yourself, which gives you more freedom to live, work and move.

Who it is for

This is not a first step for a new graduate. It is aimed at investors, entrepreneurs and highly qualified professionals. For an engineer from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria or Egypt, it is worth knowing about as a longer-term goal once you are established in a senior, well-paid role in the Kingdom. The Center has several products, including one called Special Talent for executives and specialists in fields such as healthcare, science and research.

What the law gives holders

The Premium Residency Law, published in English by the Center, lists the holder's rights. They include:

• Residence in the Kingdom with your family, and visit visas for relatives.
• Work in private sector establishments, with the right to change jobs within the private sector, except for professions limited to Saudi nationals. Your family members can work too.
• Exit and entry for you and your family without a visa.
• Ownership of real estate, outside Mecca, Medina and border areas, under the regulations.

The law says there are two types of permit, permanent and fixed-term, with products and fees approved by the government. Applicants must provide a valid passport, proof of financial solvency, a clear criminal record and a recent medical report, and must be legally resident if applying from inside the Kingdom. After approval you have 30 days to pay the fee and provide medical insurance.

Special Talent: what to check

Special Talent has its own conditions, which the Center sets and can change. They are tied to things like your employer, specialisation, salary, degree, experience and a points score. Read the current conditions on the Center's site or the government services portal my.gov.sa on the day you apply, rather than relying on figures from news articles or blogs.

Common mistakes and scams

• Paying an agent who guarantees approval. Approval is decided by the Center against published conditions. Apply through the official site.
• Confusing products. Each product has different conditions and fees. Make sure you are reading the right one.
• Forgetting the 30-day window. The law cancels an application if the fee and insurance are not sorted within 30 days of approval.
• Assuming it replaces a job offer. For most engineers, a Saudi job comes first and Premium Residency, if at all, comes later.

Where to go next on Sefism

• Plan the move step by step with the Tech jobs abroad roadmap and keep its cheat sheet open while you apply.
• Learn how work permits and contracts work on Qiwa.
• Read How to get a software job abroad from Pakistan.