Eligible expats can now apply for Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency Visa in three simple steps through its newly announced Unified National Platform for Visas.
Chaired by the kingdom’s Prime Minister King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Saudi Cabinet revealed a slew of new regulations on Tuesday, May 17, including the organisation of a Premium Residency Centre and the Unified National Platform for Visas, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The platforms will be responsible for all submitted work visa applications,” the state-run Saudi Press Agency confirmed in a statement.
The official website of the Premium Residency Centre allows expats to apply for either a limited Premium Residency visa that is renewable on a yearly basis under the SP2 category, or a permanent residency that permits foreigners to reside in the country indefinitely under the SP1 category.
“The SP1 qualifies the applicant for permanent residency in Saudi Arabia in accordance with the premium residency Saudi Law, after satisfying the required conditions and paying a one-time fee of SAR 800,000,” the government stated.
However, unlike the one-time fee for the permanent residency, the SP2 qualifies the applicant on payment of an annual fee of SAR 100,000, and after satisfying the required conditions.
Required conditions to apply for the Premium Residency
In order to apply for the permanent residency or limited-term residency without a sponsor in Saudi Arabia through the Premium Residency programme, expats will need to:
- Present a valid passport
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Submit proof of a clean criminal record with no precedents
- Provide proof of financial solvency
- Submit an updated health report of being free from contagious diseases
- Proof of legal current residency status, if applying from within the kingdom
Benefits of the Saudi Premium Residency Visa
In addition to being permitted to live in Saudi Arabia indefinitely under the permanent residency SP1 scheme, holders of the Saudi Premium Residency visa under both the SP1 and SP2 schemes will also enjoy a host of benefits, including:
- Use of airport lanes that are dedicated to Saudi nationals
- Ability to conduct businesses under the foreign investment regulations
- Freedom to exit and return to the kingdom at any time, unlike the current need for an exit-reentry permit for expats working in Saudi Arabia
- Ability to apply for visitors visas for relatives
- Ability to employ domestic workers such as housemaids
- Ability to buy and own real estate in the kingdom
- Ability to work in the private sector, and switch jobs within the private sector
- Ability to buy and own private transport
Under Unified National Platform for Visas’ Premium Residency Centre, expats can apply for the visa in three simple steps, which include filling out a form, request processing of the visa, and receiving the issued residency visa.
Follow us on
