Saudi Arabia Issues Record 8,074 Premium Residency Permits in 2024

Saudi Arabia issued a record 8,074 Premium Residency permits in 2024, the highest number since the programme’s launch in 2019. According to the Premium Residency Center, 5,578 permits were awarded under the "Competence" category, 348 under "Talents," and 2,148 to other eligible applicants.

The Premium Residency initiative, part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 framework and overseen by the National Transformation Program, is designed to attract skilled professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs to the Kingdom. Applications were assessed to ensure they met the programme’s rigorous criteria, focusing on global expertise, specialised skills, and investment potential.

Both residents and foreign nationals were among the successful applicants. Officials stated that the initiative aims not only to bring global talent into Saudi Arabia, but also to boost the competitiveness of the domestic market, enhance human capital development, and create knowledge transfer opportunities for the local workforce.

Since its launch, the Premium Residency programme has become a key tool in Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification efforts, supporting the Kingdom’s ambition to establish itself as a major destination for international talent and investment.