Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering an expansion of its Premium Residency programme to attract ultra-high-net-worth individuals and globally mobile capital, marking a potential shift in how Gulf states position themselves within the global investment migration landscape in 2026.
The development, reported in January 2026, aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the economy, deepen foreign investment, and attract long-term global residents rather than short-term capital inflows.
What the Latest January 2026 Reports Say
Saudi Arabia is considering enlarging the eligibility for its Premium Residency (sometimes described as a “Gulf green card”) to include:
- Ultra-wealthy individuals including those with net assets around $30 million, according to sources cited by Bloomberg and regional financial media.
- Owners of large luxury yachts and other high-value asset holders.
- High-achieving students and entrepreneurs in select cases.
These proposals are reportedly under consideration and not yet finalised, with Saudi authorities potentially announcing specific regulations later in 2026.
Why This Matters
Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency programme was launched in 2019 and allows qualifying foreign investors, professionals, and highly skilled individuals to live, work, and invest in the Kingdom without a local sponsor.
A possible expansion to include ultra-wealthy global residents would signal a shift toward competing more directly with established residency-by-investment jurisdictions for mobile capital, family offices, and globally active executives.
Strategic Goals of the Expanded Policy
If implemented, an expanded Premium Residency framework could aim to:
- Attract substantial foreign capital to Saudi Arabia’s economy, particularly into real estate, family office establishment, and strategic investments.
- Encourage long-term residency of wealthy individuals, not just short-term business or employment stays.
- Enhance Saudi Arabia’s appeal as a global hub for mobile wealth and executive talent across sectors such as finance, technology and innovation.
Context Within the Gulf Region
Saudi Arabia’s move reflects a wider Gulf trend: governments are refining residency frameworks to compete for mobile capital, skilled talent, and long-term residents, not just short-term business visitors.
- United Arab Emirates (UAE): The UAE’s Golden Visa is explicitly positioned as a long-term residence route for investors, entrepreneurs, and “talents,” with visa lengths commonly 5 or 10 years depending on category.
- Qatar: Qatar has been pushing a more structured property-linked residency model, including a lower investment tier (often reported around US$200,000) and a higher tier around QAR 3.65 million (about US$1 million) that links to stronger long-term residency status and benefits.
- Bahrain: Bahrain’s Golden Residency sets out multiple eligibility routes (including investment and professional pathways) as part of a long-term residency offer designed to retain and attract foreign residents.
- Oman: Oman has also built out longer-term residency options for investors, with widely reported 5-year and 10-year tracks tied to higher-value commitments.
Together, these programmes show the Gulf is moving toward more “portfolio-style” residency policy: separate tracks for investors, property owners, and high-achievement profiles, with clearer long-term status for those who meet the economic criteria.
