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Residency guide

Saudi residency, made simple

There are three ways foreigners live in or own property in Saudi Arabia. Here is what each one gives you and which one fits.

5 min readLast reviewed:

The three routes at a glance

Normal Iqama

Residency tied to your reason for living here, usually your job or a family sponsor.

Gives residency
Yes
Best for
Employees and dependents already living in Saudi Arabia

Ownership digital ID

Lets eligible foreigners buy property online without living in Saudi Arabia.

Gives residency
No
Best for
Buyers abroad who want property but not residency

Premium Residency

Independent, long-term residency with no employer sponsor. One route is owning property worth SAR 4M or more.

Gives residency
Yes
Best for
Expats who want independence for themselves and their family

Find your route

I already work in Saudi Arabia

Your employment Iqama may be all you need. For more independence, check whether you qualify for Premium Residency.

Talk to an advisor

I live abroad and want to buy

Use the ownership digital ID to buy online, within the permitted zones. You do not need residency.

Send us your brief

I want property and residency

A qualifying property worth SAR 4M or more can lead to Real Estate Owner Premium Residency.

See properties

I want to invest SAR 7M or more in a business

Look at Investor Premium Residency, which has its own investment and hiring rules.

Talk to an advisor

Normal Iqama

Standard residency is linked to why you are here. It is not a standalone product you can apply for.

  • Employment

    You work for a Saudi employer

    Keep in mind: Your residency depends on that employer

  • Dependent

    You are the spouse or child of a resident

    Keep in mind: Working needs separate authorization

  • Domestic worker

    You work for a private household

    Keep in mind: Tied to the sponsoring employer

  • Student and special cases

    You study or belong to another approved category

    Keep in mind: Your rights depend on that category

Buying property from abroad

Since the Non-Saudi Real Estate Ownership System came into force on 22 January 2026, eligible foreigners, including people who do not live in Saudi Arabia, can buy qualifying property in permitted zones. The process runs online in four steps.

  1. Get a digital identity

    Apply through Saudi Properties, the official REGA platform.

  2. Open a Saudi bank account

    In your own name. Required for non-residents before buying.

  3. Register a Saudi mobile number

    In your own name and linked to your digital identity.

  4. Buy and register the title

    Complete the purchase online. The title deed is issued through the Real Estate Registry.

This is not a residency permit

The digital ID only lets you complete the purchase. It does not give you the right to enter, live in or reside in Saudi Arabia.

Premium Residency

Residency without an employer sponsor, with permanent and fixed-term options. There are seven products.

Unlimited Duration

FeeSAR 800,000

Term Permanent

General eligibility and financial solvency

Limited Duration

FeeSAR 100,000 / year

Term 1 year, renewable up to 5 years

General eligibility and financial solvency

Special Talent

FeeSAR 4,000

Term 5 years, path to permanent

Qualifying researchers, scientific and health specialists, executives

Gifted

FeeSAR 4,000

Term 5 years, path to permanent

Exceptional sporting, cultural or artistic talent

Investor

FeeSAR 4,000

Term Permanent, conditional at first

Investment of at least SAR 7M, plus hiring conditions

Entrepreneur

FeeSAR 4,000

Term 5 years or conditional permanent

Qualifying venture investment or job creation

Real Estate Owner

FeeSAR 4,000

Term As long as you own the property

Saudi property or usufruct worth at least SAR 4M

Property owner route

The property owner route

Real Estate Owner Premium Residency links your residency to a property you own. It lasts for the ownership or usufruct period.

Minimum property valueSAR 4,000,000

Ready property
Completed, residential and not mortgaged
Off-plan property
One unit worth SAR 4M or more from an approved developer, with at least SAR 1M or 10% paid, whichever is higher
Government fee
SAR 4,000

What you get

  • Your family can live with you
  • Move between private-sector employers
  • Run a business, subject to investment rules
  • Own property or usufruct
  • Exit and re-enter without a visa, with your family
See propertiesMortgage calculator

Who your Premium Residency covers

Once you hold Premium Residency, your family can live in Saudi Arabia with you.

  • Spouse or spousesCovered
  • Children under 25Until they turn 25Covered
  • ParentsIf they do not work in Saudi ArabiaCovered
  • Children with special needsCan stay linked to your recordSpecial case
  • Unmarried daughters over 25Can stay linked while unmarriedSpecial case
  • Other children over 25Family cards end at 25Not covered

A SAR 4M property does not give your family Iqamas by itself. You must first qualify for and receive Premium Residency. Your family is then linked to your record.

Side-by-side comparison

Normal IqamaOwnership digital IDPremium Residency
Gives residencyYesNoYes
Employer sponsor neededUsually, for workNoNo
Can you live abroad?NoYesYes, if eligible
Family residencyAs dependentsNoYes
Change employer freelyNoNot applicableYes
Exit and re-entry without a visaDepends on your statusNoYes
Government feeVaries by categoryNo Premium feeSAR 4,000 to 800,000

Please read

This guide is general information, not legal advice. PrimeSpace is a real estate brokerage. Rules change often, so confirm everything with REGA, the Ministry of Interior and the Saudi Properties portal before you decide.

Read the full disclaimer

This guide covers residency categories, ownership rights, digital identity requirements and related rules for general information only. It reflects our understanding of the applicable regulations at the time of writing, based on the public sources listed on this page.

PrimeSpace is a real estate brokerage. We are not a legal authority, a regulator, a law firm or an accredited adviser on immigration, residency or property law. Nothing on this page is legal advice, regulatory guidance or a definitive statement of the law.

Saudi Arabia’s real estate, residency and foreign ownership rules are changing quickly. Eligibility criteria, designated zones, fees and procedures can change, sometimes with little notice. Our reading may be incomplete, may not reflect the latest amendments, or may not apply to your situation.

Please verify everything directly with the official sources, including the Real Estate General Authority (REGA) at rega.gov.sa, the Ministry of Interior and the Saudi Properties portal at saudiproperties.rega.gov.sa, and where appropriate a qualified Saudi legal adviser, before you make any decision or commitment.

We accept no liability for any action taken, or not taken, on the basis of this information.

Official sources

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