Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing a significant expansion of its Premium Residency Program, potentially opening the door to ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) with a net worth of $30 million or more, as well as superyacht owners, according to sources familiar with the discussions cited by Bloomberg.

If implemented, the move would represent one of the most ambitious residency-by-wealth initiatives in the Gulf region, positioning Saudi Arabia alongside — and potentially in competition with — established residency and “golden visa” programs in the UAE and Europe.

Possible Announcement Timeline and Eligibility Scope

People familiar with the matter told Bloomberg that the proposed changes could be announced as early as April, although they emphasized that no final decision has been made and the framework remains under review.

Under the reported proposal:

  • High-net-worth individuals with a net worth of approximately $30 million

  • Superyacht owners

  • High-achieving students

  • A broader group of entrepreneurs

could become eligible for Saudi premium residency under new or expanded tracks.

Applicants in the ultra-wealth and superyacht categories would likely need formal recommendations from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment, indicating a nomination-based approach rather than a purely financial threshold system.

Superyacht Residency Pathway May Mirror Abu Dhabi’s Golden Quay Program

Saudi Arabia’s reported interest in attracting superyacht owners closely resembles Abu Dhabi’s Golden Quay initiative, launched in late 2024.

Under the UAE’s Golden Visa framework, the Golden Quay pathway provides:

  • 10-year renewable residency

  • Eligibility for superyacht owners with vessels measuring 40 meters or longer

  • Mandatory official nomination to qualify

The Abu Dhabi program targets two primary groups:

  1. Private superyacht owners

  2. Key maritime industry leaders, including CEOs, founders, and major shareholders of yacht-building companies, yacht agencies, service providers, and marine insurance firms

While it remains unclear whether Saudi Arabia will adopt the same eligibility structure, the nomination-based approach under discussion suggests a similarly selective model.

Expansion Signals Strategic Shift Beyond Traditional Investor Visas

Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency Program currently focuses on:

  • Senior executives

  • Entrepreneurs

  • Real estate investors

  • Researchers and highly skilled professionals

An expansion to include UHNWIs and superyacht owners would mark a strategic shift toward lifestyle-driven and asset-based residency pathways, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s broader economic diversification goals under Vision 2030.

The move would also align with recent reforms designed to attract global capital and talent, including:

  • Opening equity and real estate markets to foreign investors

  • Allowing alcohol sales in controlled environments for high-income expatriates

  • Liberalizing foreign ownership rules in key sectors

Why Saudi Premium Residency Is Attractive to Global Investors

Saudi premium residency offers a level of stability uncommon in traditional Gulf work visa systems. Key benefits include:

  • Freedom to enter and exit Saudi Arabia without sponsor approval

  • Ability to change employers freely

  • Residency coverage for immediate family members

  • Long-term or permanent residency options depending on the investment track

These advantages are particularly valuable in the GCC, where residency is typically tied to employer sponsorship.

Strong Uptake Following 2024 Program Overhaul

Saudi Arabia overhauled its Premium Residency Program in early 2024, introducing seven distinct residency tracks.

Since then:

  • 8,074 premium residency permits were issued during 2024

  • More than 40,000 applications were submitted between January 2024 and July 2025

The figures suggest growing international interest, particularly among investors seeking long-term Middle East exposure without citizenship commitments.

Current Premium Residency Investment Requirements

Under the existing framework, Saudi Arabia offers several investment-based residency pathways:

Real Estate Investment Residency

Applicants must:

  • Purchase residential property worth at least 4 million SAR (approximately $1.1 million)

  • Own the property free of any mortgage

  • Buy completed property (off-plan developments are not eligible)

  • Obtain a valuation from Saudi-accredited appraisers

Residency remains valid as long as the property is retained.

Business Investment Residency

Business investors must:

  • Hold a valid investment license

  • Invest at least 7 million SAR (approximately $1.9 million) within two years

  • Employ a minimum of 10 Saudi nationals

Qualified business investors are eligible for immediate permanent residency, making this one of the most competitive programs in the region.

Exceptional Competence Residency

This category targets:

  • Researchers

  • Scientists

  • Medical professionals

  • Senior executives

Minimum salary thresholds range from:

  • Approximately $4,000 per month for researchers

  • Up to $21,000 per month for top-tier executives

Foreign Population and Market Potential

Foreign nationals account for:

  • Over 40% of Saudi Arabia’s total population

  • More than 75% of its workforce

This demographic reality underscores the long-term importance of residency stability for the Kingdom’s economic model.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s recent decision to fully open its residential property market to foreigners, which took effect last week, is expected to further increase demand for premium residency among international investors and expatriates.

What This Means for Global Citizenship Planning

If confirmed, the inclusion of $30 million net worth individuals and superyacht owners would position Saudi Arabia as a serious player in the global residency-by-investment and elite residency market.

For globally mobile investors, family offices, and yacht owners seeking Middle East exposure without citizenship renunciation, Saudi premium residency could soon become a compelling alternative to UAE, European, and Caribbean residency programs.

At Become Global Citizenship, we continue to monitor developments closely and will provide updates as official announcements are made.