Saudi Premium Residency Update 2025
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken a historic step by launching the Saudi Premium Residency Update 2025, a program that allows foreigners to live, work, and invest in the country without a sponsor (Kafeel). This groundbreaking reform is part of Saudi Vision 2030, a national plan aimed at building a modern, diversified, and globally connected economy.
This new system opens doors for professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors who wish to make Saudi Arabia their long-term home. It marks a major shift from the traditional sponsorship model to a more open and investor-friendly environment.
What Is the Saudi Premium Residency Program 2025?
The Saudi Premium Residency Program is a government initiative designed to give qualified foreign residents the ability to live and work in the Kingdom independently. Under the update announced in October 2025, foreigners can now enjoy full residency rights without the need for a Saudi sponsor.
This change reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to attracting international talent and reducing dependence on oil revenues by promoting innovation, investment, and skilled labor through Vision 2030.
Two Types of Premium Residency Introduced
According to the Saudi Premium Residency Center (PRC), the updated program offers two categories of residency for foreigners:
- Permanent Residency:
- One-time fee of SAR 800,000 (approximately USD 213,000).
- Grants lifetime residency in Saudi Arabia.
- Renewable Residency:
- Annual fee of SAR 100,000 (approximately USD 26,700).
- Renewable every year.
Both types provide foreigners with legal residency status and access to a wide range of benefits. This flexibility makes it easier for skilled professionals and investors to choose an option that suits their financial and career goals.

Main Benefits of the Residency Program
The Premium Residency Program gives expatriates greater freedom and stability than ever before. Foreigners under this scheme can enjoy several privileges that were previously limited to citizens or residents with sponsors.
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Key Benefits Include:
- No need for a sponsor (Kafeel).
- Right to own property, except in Mecca, Medina, and border areas.
- Permission to start and own businesses in Saudi Arabia.
- Family sponsorship rights for dependents.
- Freedom to travel in and out of the country without visa restrictions.
- Access to education, healthcare, and banking services.
While the Premium Residency does not grant citizenship or voting rights, it still offers unmatched independence and security to foreigners living in the Kingdom.
This initiative is particularly beneficial for investors, skilled professionals, engineers, and doctors seeking long-term opportunities.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for the Premium Residency, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria set by the Saudi government.
Applicants must:
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Hold a valid passport.
- Have no criminal record.
- Be medically fit.
- Have entered Saudi Arabia legally.
- Show proof of stable income or financial resources.
These requirements ensure that applicants are qualified, law-abiding, and capable of contributing to Saudi Arabia’s economy and society.
Application Process – How to Apply
The entire application process for the Premium Residency is fully online, making it simple and transparent for applicants worldwide.
You can apply through the official Premium Residency Center (PRC) website: https://saprc.gov.sa
Steps to Apply:
- Register online and create an account on the PRC website
- Upload the required documents, including passport, financial statements, and medical report.
- Pay the application fee (SAR 800,000 for permanent or SAR 100,000 for renewable).
- Wait for document verification and approval.
- Once approved, receive your residency permit electronically.
The process is designed to be fast, fair, and free of intermediaries, ensuring complete transparency.
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Impact on the Saudi Economy
The Premium Residency scheme is expected to have a positive and lasting impact on Saudi Arabia’s economy. By removing the Kafeel system and allowing skilled foreigners to live and invest freely, the program encourages foreign direct investment (FDI) and boosts the non-oil sector.
The initiative will help:
- Attract global professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors.
- Create new jobs and strengthen local industries.
- Encourage real estate development and innovation.
- Support the Vision 2030 goal of building a diverse, sustainable economy.
Experts believe that this reform will enhance Saudi Arabia’s global competitiveness and make it a leading destination for skilled expatriates and international businesses.
Why It’s a Game-Changer for Foreigners
For the first time in Saudi history, foreigners can live, work, and invest without being dependent on a sponsor.
This is a revolutionary shift that gives expatriates full independence and freedom to manage their lives and businesses.
The end of the Kafeel system promotes:
- Transparency in labor relations.
- Equal opportunities for professionals.
- Confidence among international investors.
For those who wish to make Saudi Arabia their long-term home, this program offers a chance to settle, invest, and grow in one of the Middle East’s most promising economies.
Conclusion
The Saudi Premium Residency Update 2025 represents a historic change in the Kingdom’s immigration and investment policies. By ending the Kafeel system, Saudi Arabia is paving the way for a more open, fair, and modern society — one that welcomes skilled professionals and global investors to contribute to its growing economy.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, now is the perfect time to apply for the Premium Residency. This program offers a new era of freedom, opportunity, and stability for those who dream of living and working in Saudi Arabia without a sponsor.
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