Saudi Arabia is offering foreign property owners a route to long-term residency, a policy that has taken on fresh relevance now that the Kingdom’s long-anticipated foreign property ownership law has come into effect this month.
While the premium residency programme itself has existed for several years, interest in the property-linked pathway is rising as non-Saudis will, for the first time, be able to buy property in designated areas under a unified national framework from January 21 onwards. Together, the two policies reflect a shift in how Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a place to both invest and settle.
The Real Estate Owner Residency is administered by the Saudi Premium Residency Centre and is aimed at foreigners who own qualifying residential property in the Kingdom, according to official programme criteria.
To qualify, applicants must own or hold usufruct rights to residential property in Saudi Arabia with a minimum value of SAR4 million (US$1.07 million). The property must be developed, used for residential purposes and free from any existing or future mortgages. Undeveloped or vacant land does not qualify.
The property must also be valued by an appraiser accredited by the Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers, known as Taqeem, to confirm it meets the minimum value requirement.
Residency under this route is tied directly to ownership or usufruct of the qualifying property. Applicants are required to pay a one-time fee of SAR4,000 (US$1,067). Residency remains valid as long as the property continues to meet the eligibility criteria.
What premium residency allows
Premium residency provides a level of flexibility that goes beyond traditional residency arrangements in Saudi Arabia.
Holders may live in the Kingdom with their family members, including parents, spouses and children under the age of 25. They can leave and re-enter Saudi Arabia freely without the need for additional visas and are exempt from the fees normally imposed on expatriates and their dependents.
Premium residents are permitted to work in the private sector and move between employers without requiring sponsorship. The same applies to eligible family members. Holders are also allowed to conduct business activities in line with Saudi Arabia’s Investment Law and can apply for visit visas for relatives.
Other benefits include access to dedicated airport tracks normally reserved for Saudi citizens, reflecting the programme’s focus on long-term residency rather than short-term stay.
Residency remains linked to continued ownership of the qualifying property. If the property is sold or no longer meets the programme’s requirements, residency status may be affected.
The property-linked residency option is drawing renewed attention following the introduction of Saudi Arabia’s new foreign property ownership law, which came into effect this month.
Under the law, non-Saudis can now buy residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural property in designated zones across the Kingdom. While the zones are yet to be fully defined, the reform marks a major shift from the more restrictive system that had been in place since 2000.
Applications are submitted through the Saudi Premium Residency Centre’s official platform. Eligibility conditions are subject to change and applicants are advised to ensure that property ownership, valuation and documentation meet current requirements at the time of application.
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