The Entrepreneur Residency Service (Second Category) is a premium residency category targeting innovative entrepreneurs seeking to establish or expand startups in Saudi Arabia. This track provides immediate permanent residency conditional on meeting operational milestones that support the national economy. It aims to strengthen Saudi entrepreneurship and promote sustainable ventures
General benefits:
1. Residence in Saudi Arabia with the family, including parents, spouses, and children under 25 years of age.
2. Freedom to move from one establishment to another.
3. Exemption from the financial fees imposed on expatriates and dependents.
4. The Premium Residency holder and their family members may leave and return to Saudi Arabia without the requirement of a visa.
5. Issuance of visit visas for relatives.
6. Use of dedicated lanes for citizens and GCC nationals at entry and exit points.
7. Employment in private sector establishments and movement between them for the husband, wife, and children.
8. Engaging in commercial activities in accordance with the Investment Law.
9. Ownership and use of real estate.
Special benefits:
Nominating two team members to obtain Exceptional Competence Residency with exemption from its criteria (for example: executives).
Exemption of the establishment from the Nitaqat program for the first 3 operational years.
For Category Two: direct eligibility for permanent Premium Residency.
Residency duration:
Immediate permanent residency subject to creating at least 10 jobs in the first year and at least 10 jobs in the second year.
Target Sector
General
Affiliated Authority
Premium accommodation
Estimated Duration90 days
Gov Approval Window1 working day
Service Pricing7500
Government Fee4000
Mandatory Conditions
✓Obtaining an entrepreneurial license from the Ministry of Investment.
✓Obtaining an investment round(s) from one of the investment entities approved by the Center worth 15 million riyals from the Ministry of Investment.
✓The applicant’s share in the startup company must not be less than 10%.
✓Create at least 10 jobs during the first year, and at least 10 additional jobs during the second year.
✓The transaction period in the system is 3 months, which can be increased according to each transaction.
✓All residencies and passports must be valid for 6 months at the time of application.
Required Documents
✓A valid entrepreneurial license from the Ministry of Investment.
✓A letter of recommendation from the investing party.
✓A copy of the residency permit. Only the Absher copy (in the new yellow form with the residency expiry date written) is added for each ID.