An investor visa in Saudi Arabia grants permanent residency once you meet the SAR 7 million investment and 10-job requirement within two years. It removes sponsor control and gives full business ownership. It provides long-term legal stability.
However, capital alone does not guarantee approval. What does it take to qualify? How do you stay compliant? How do you protect your investment? This guide explains every rule, cost, and risk in clear, practical steps.
Official Premium Residency Fees (2026)
- Investor Residency fee SAR 4,000
- Unlimited Premium Residency SAR 800,000 one-time
- Annual Premium Residency SAR 100,000 per year
Investor Residency fee is SAR 4,000. The SAR 800,000 and SAR 100,000 fees apply to other Premium Residency options.
What Is the Investor Visa in Saudi Arabia?
The Investor Visa in Saudi Arabia is a Premium Residency program that grants permanent residency to foreign investors who meet the approved capital threshold and create ten full-time jobs. It removes local sponsorship and allows full business ownership under Saudi investment regulations.
Who Qualifies for the Investor Visa in Saudi Arabia?
To qualify for the Investor Visa, applicants must invest the required capital amount in a Saudi company, create at least ten full-time jobs within two years, maintain active registration, and prove a lawful source of funds.
They must also keep an active commercial registration. So, the program favors serious business operators, not passive investors.
To qualify, you must
- Be at least 21 years old
- Provide a clean criminal record
- Submit a valid medical report
- Prove a lawful source of funds
- Maintain an active business presence
Complete documents help avoid delays.
For official eligibility criteria, check Premium Residency requirements and confirm registration and required approvals before portal submission.
These authorities define the legal framework, capital conditions, and compliance standards for residency approval.
Investor vs Entrepreneur Residency: Key Differences
The investor route requires SAR 7,000,000.
The entrepreneur route starts from SAR 400,000.
Each program fits a different stage.
Established operators choose the investor route.
Early-stage founders prefer the entrepreneur track.
Complete 2026 Comparison Table
| Factor | Investor Route | Entrepreneur Route |
| Minimum Capital | SAR 7,000,000 | Category 1: From SAR 400,000 approved funding.
Category 2: High-growth startup meeting Premium Residency criteria |
| Job Requirement | 10 full-time jobs within 2 years | Category 2: 10 jobs in year one and 10 jobs in year two |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership | Category 1: Minimum 20% founder stake
Category 2: Minimum 10% founder stake |
| Business Stage | Operating company | Startup or innovation project |
| Residency Outcome | Permanent residency after compliance | Category 1: 5-year renewable residency.
Category 2: Possible pathway to permanent residency |
| Risk Level | Lower operational risk | Higher early-stage risk |
Established operators choose the investor route.
Early-stage founders prefer the entrepreneur track.
How Much Investment Does the Visa Require?
It requires a minimum capital commitment of SAR 7 million invested in a licensed Saudi entity. To maintain eligibility, investors must also meet the workforce requirement within two years.
The capital must:
- Move through a licensed Saudi bank
- Appear in company records
- Fund active business work
- Stay in the company during residency
Officials confirm compliance each year. However, clear records protect your status.
How Long Does Approval Take?
Approval for Saudi investor residency usually takes 60 to 90 days after complete submission and verified capital transfer through a licensed Saudi bank. Clear documentation and an active company registration speed up the review.
Authorities examine capital proof, workforce compliance, and legal records before granting residency approval. Missing documents or inconsistencies can delay the process.
Submit your application through the Premium Residency portal with:
- Confirmed bank transfer of the required capital
- Valid police clearance certificate
- Recent medical report
- Active commercial registration
Accurate and consistent records shorten review time and protect your approval timeline.
What Rights Does Permanent Residency Provide?
Permanent residency under the Investor Visa in Saudi Arabia grants sponsor-free living, full company ownership, family sponsorship rights, and approved property ownership. It provides long-term legal and operational security.
You may:
- Own 100% of your company
- Sponsor your spouse
- Sponsor children under 25
- Travel without exit permits
- Open personal and business bank accounts
- Register the property in your name
As a result, you gain long-term security and full operational independence. It offers permanent residency for qualified foreign investors.
Can Investors Own Property in the Kingdom?
Yes. The investor visa in Saudi Arabia allows ownership of residential and commercial real estate in approved areas.
You may buy homes, offices, and industrial units in most cities. However, special limits apply near holy sites.
Ownership allows you to:
- Lease assets
- Sell assets
- Use assets as bank collateral
- Develop commercial projects
As a result, real estate adds capital stability and long-term investment security.
What Documents Must Investors Submit?
Investors must submit verified financial, legal, and medical documents to complete the application.
You must provide:
- Valid passport copy
- Proof of MISA registration and licensed investment status
- Active commercial registration
- Bank proof of capital transfer
- Audited financial statements
- Police clearance certificate
- Recent medical report
What Happens If Investment Conditions Change?
Residency remains valid only while the capital and jobs stay compliant.
A drop in capital may trigger a review.
Fewer employees can also prompt a review.
However, you may adjust your company structure.
You must still meet the minimum rules.
To stay compliant:
- Keep commercial registration active and keep your approved business activity valid
- Maintain required capital
- Employ at least ten staff
- File clear financial reports
- Respond to official notices
Strong compliance protects your status.
How Does This Visa Support Vision 2030?
This route supports non-oil growth.
Saudi Arabia seeks foreign investment and private jobs.
As a result, it attracts serious investors.
It supports:
- Foreign capital growth
- Local job creation
- New business sectors
- Regional headquarters expansion
This alignment increases policy stability.
What Is the Application Process for the Investor Visa in Saudi Arabia 2026?
The Saudi investor residency program follows five clear stages. You must secure the investment license, register the company, transfer the required capital, meet the workforce requirement, and submit the application through the official Premium Residency portal.
Authorities review capital strength, active business operations, and employment compliance before granting residency approval.
Step 1: Obtain the Investment License
- Secure official authorization from the Ministry of Investment.
- This confirms your approved business activity and legal right to operate in the Kingdom.
Your license must match the planned SAR 7 million capital structure.
Step 2: Incorporate and Activate the Company
- Register your Saudi entity.
- Activate the commercial registration.
- Ensure the company documents reflect the declared investment value.
Authorities verify that the business structure aligns with residency requirements.
Step 3: Transfer and Record Capital
- Deposit SAR 7 million through a licensed Saudi bank.
- Record the transaction in the official company accounts.
- Maintain certified banking proof and updated financial statements.
Funds must support active business operations.
Idle capital may trigger a review.
Step 4: Meet the Employment Requirement
- Hire at least ten full-time employees within two years.
- Register workers under approved labor systems.
- Maintain payroll transfers and social insurance enrollment.
Workforce compliance remains essential for final approval and ongoing validity.
Step 5: Submit the Residency Application
Apply online through the Premium Residency portal.
Upload:
- Capital transfer confirmation
- Active commercial registration
- Audited financial statements
- Police clearance certificate
- Valid medical report
Ensure all uploaded records match official filings.
Regulators conduct financial and operational verification before issuing a decision.
What Determines Approval Speed?
Processing time depends on file accuracy and compliance strength.
Approval moves faster when:
- Capital deposit appears clearly in the bank records
- Company registration remains active
- Employee records meet required thresholds
- Documentation aligns across all government systems
Clean submissions reduce review cycles.
How to Avoid Delays or Rejection
Most delays result from documentation gaps or workforce shortfalls.
To protect approval:
- Keep financial statements updated
- Maintain required staffing levels
- Respond quickly to official notices
- Preserve consistent business activity
Structured preparation increases approval certainty.
Follow these five steps with precision. Accurate capital proof and stable operations protect your path to permanent residency in Saudi Arabia.
What Taxes Apply?
Saudi Arabia taxes companies, not personal salaries.
You do not pay tax on salary income.
However, companies pay tax based on their structure.
Main taxes include
- 20% corporate tax on foreign share
- 15% VAT on goods and services
- Withholding tax rates vary by payment type and treaty position.
- Zakat for Saudi or GCC owners
Good planning reduces tax pressure.
Corporate tax and Zakat obligations fall under the supervision of the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA).
Investors should review the latest corporate tax guidance issued by ZATCA to confirm filing requirements and applicable rates based on ownership structure.
How Does Banking Work?
Residency allows full banking access.
You may open personal accounts.
You may also open company accounts.
Banks require
- Residency ID
- Commercial registration
- Capital proof
Clear records speed approval.
How Do Authorities Check Compliance?
Regulators review capital and workforce levels during compliance checks.
They confirm the business remains active.
Records must stay accurate.
Review areas include:
- Commercial registration status
- MISA registration and activity approvals status
- Payroll records
- Tax filings
- Saudization levels
- Bank activity
Accurate bookkeeping prevents issues.
Why Do Applications Get Rejected?
Applications under the Saudi Premium Residency investor track are rejected when applicants fail to prove the required investment level, maintain workforce compliance, or submit complete documentation.
Common problems
- No audited statements
- Inactive commercial registration or expired activity approvals
- Fewer than ten workers
- Missing clearance certificate
Preparation speeds approval.
Applicants must complete MISA investor registration and all approvals before they submit the residency request through the Premium Residency portal.
Official portals provide updated submission rules, processing standards, and digital application instructions.
How Does Employment Affect Residency?
Investors maintain at least ten employees.
Officials verify this rule regularly.
A drop in staff may trigger a review.
You must:
- Register workers legally
- Pay wages through approved systems
- Keep work permits valid
- Maintain social insurance
Stable staffing protects residency.
What Proof Confirms Capital and Job Compliance?
Clear financial and employment records confirm eligibility.
To prove the SAR 7 million investment, provide:
- Bank transfer confirmation
- Updated commercial registration reflecting capital
- Audited financial statements
- Balance sheet showing active business use
Funds must support real operations, not sit unused.
To confirm the ten-job rule, maintain:
- Registered labor contracts
- Social insurance enrollment
- Approved payroll transfers
- Valid employee work permits
If staffing drops briefly, restore the required headcount quickly. Short gaps may trigger review, while consistent compliance protects residency status.
Can You Sell the Business?
Yes, but capital rules must stay intact.
You may transfer shares.
However, the required capital must remain.
Before selling
- Confirm new capital structure
- Inform authorities
- Keep staff numbers stable
- Maintain compliance records
Planning protects your status.
Does Residency Support Regional Headquarters?
Yes, you may establish a regional headquarters.
Many global firms choose Riyadh.
The location supports Gulf operations.
Benefits include:
- Large domestic market
- Strong infrastructure
- Government project access
- Central geographic position
This strengthens expansion plans.
What Strategic Advantages Exist?
The route grants full business control.
Investors operate without a sponsor.
Travel remains unrestricted.
Advantages include:
- Permanent legal status
- Full company ownership
- Family sponsorship rights
- Access to major projects
This supports long-term planning.
How Does It Compare Globally?
Saudi Arabia sets higher capital requirements than many countries.
However, it offers access to a large market.
It also has no personal income tax.
Key strengths
- Direct ownership
- Large consumer base
- Infrastructure growth
- Mega-project access
Strategic value exceeds entry cost.
What Risks Should Investors Know?
Compliance risk exists in every country.
Saudi Arabia enforces business rules strictly.
Therefore, organization matters.
Risk areas include:
- Labor policy updates
- Tax changes
- Licensing adjustments
- Sector restrictions
Active management reduces risk.
2026 Compliance Checklist
Review your company every quarter.
Regular checks prevent problems.
Checklist
- Confirm the capital level
- Verify the 10 full-time employee count
- File taxes on time
- Renew commercial registration and investment license
- Maintain payroll records
- Update Premium Residency details in the portal
Routine review protects permanent status.
The investor visa in Saudi Arabia grants qualified investors permanent residency, full ownership, and sponsor-free control in the Kingdom. Capital alone does not guarantee approval. Structured compliance and accurate documentation determine success. Serious investors secure regulatory alignment before transferring capital. Business Link KSA manages licensing, registration, and residency submission with precision. Secure your position in Saudi Arabia’s expanding market. Call +966115120997 or WhatsApp +966544240444. Email connect@businesslink.sa.
FAQ’s
How long does approval take?
Approval usually takes 60 to 90 days after complete submission.
Is personal income taxed?
No. Saudi Arabia does not tax salary income.
Can residency be revoked?
Yes. Residency may end if capital or job requirements fall below the required level.
Is Arabic required?
No. There is no language requirement.
Can I sponsor my family?
Yes. You may sponsor your spouse and children under 25.
Does this visa lead to citizenship?
No. The program does not grant citizenship.
Must I live in Saudi Arabia full-time?
You must maintain an active business presence, but full-time residence is not mandatory.
Can I own 100% of my company?
Yes. Foreign investors may hold full ownership without a local partner.
