Saudi Arabia is one of the most compelling jurisdictions in the Middle East and globally for technology‑driven and innovation‑led businesses. Across software, AI, information technology, fintech, cybersecurity, industrial manufacturing, and advanced services, international companies are increasingly choosing the Kingdom as a core operational hub.

What’s consistent across successful market entries is practical alignment with regulatory clarity, scale of opportunity, speed of execution, and strong demand from both government and private-sector buyers.

Foreign investors can set up their business by first obtaining a Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia (MISA) investment license and then proceeding with full commercial registration from the Ministry of Commerce. MISA and the Ministry are very encouraging of international investors aligning their business activities with the digital economy, investing heavily in infrastructure to support digital transformation.

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Increasingly, individuals are looking beyond the UAE’s Golden Visa scheme. Those who can afford the Saudi Premium Residency long-term investment route are using it as a strategic entry into the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia is opening its doors wider than ever, welcoming global talent, investors, and innovators. As part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom has launched a suite of Premium Residency programmes designed to attract those who wish to live, invest, and grow in one of the world’s fastest-transforming economies. These programmes are more than visas: they represent a strategic initiative to position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for innovation, investment, and prosperity.

Real Estate Owner Residency

Created for property investors, this programme offers family residency, business rights, visa-free travel, and real estate ownership. Applicants must invest at least SAR 4 million in a developed, mortgage-free residential property, with residency tied to ownership or usufruct.

Special Talent Residency

Tailored for professionals in leadership, healthcare, science, and research, this option provides wide-ranging benefits, including family residency, Nitaqat exemption, and business rights. Applicants must meet qualification and salary requirements, hold contracts with approved entities, and receive employer recommendations.

Gifted Residency

Focused on exceptional individuals in sport, culture, and the arts, this pathway recognises global and regional achievers. Eligibility is based on ministry endorsement, awards, or significant achievements.

Investor Residency

Granting direct permanent residency, this programme supports investors who commit at least SAR 7 million, hold a valid investment license, and create a minimum of ten jobs within two years. Benefits include business rights, property ownership, and exemptions from certain fees.

Entrepreneur Residency

Designed for start-up founders and innovators, this residency has two categories:

• Investment of SAR 400,000 with a 20% ownership stake.
• Investment of SAR 15 million with a 10% ownership stake and the creation of twenty jobs within two years.

Entrepreneurs may also nominate key staff for the Special Talent Residency.

Limited and Unlimited Duration Premium Residencies

Offering maximum flexibility, these residencies are available to individuals able to demonstrate financial capability. Fees begin at SAR 100,000 per year (up to five years), while permanent residency can be secured with a one-time fee of SAR 800,000.

Collectively, these programmes are powerful instruments for building a knowledge based, globally competitive economy. Each is tailored to meet the needs of investors, professionals, entrepreneurs, and creative talents, offering not just a place to live, but a meaningful stake in the Kingdom’s future. Sovereign PPG are able to support you with an eligibility assessment and help you submit the visa application for your PRP. Get in touch with our team today.

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Saudi Arabia offers a range of visa categories to suit various employment needs:

• Employment Visa (Iqama): this is the primary visa required for long-term work in Saudi Arabia. It grants the right to live and work in the country for a period of one to two years, depending on the employment contract. Employer sponsorship is required, and the visa is renewed annually to match the terms of the employment contract.
• Business Visit Visa: this visa is suitable for short business trips, such as visits to attend meetings or conferences. It is valid for up to 90 days but does not permit full-time employment.
• Temporary Work Visa: this visa is suitable for short-term projects and permits multiple entries within a 12-month period. It is valid for up to 90 days and allows employers to sponsor foreign workers on a project basis.
• Premium Residency (Saudi Green Card): launched in 2019, the Saudi Premium Residency programme allows expatriates to live, work and own property in Saudi Arabia without a sponsor. It offers two distinct options – permanent residency for a one-time fee or renewable residency for an annual fee.

Who Is Eligible for a Saudi Work Visa and What Are the Requirements?

For companies looking to employ foreign professionals on a long-term basis, the Employment Visa (Iqama) is the primary route. It involves the following key requirements:

• Sponsorship – Only a registered Saudi employer can initiate the work visa application on behalf of the foreign employee.
• Employment Contract – a signed contract between the registered Saudi employer and the employee is required, setting out the terms of employment. This must be certified by relevant Saudi authorities.
• Educational and professional qualifications – certified copies of academic and professional credentials must be submitted and authenticated by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission.
• Medical examination – a licensed physician must provide a report confirming the absence of contagious diseases, necessary for visa approval.
• Police clearance – a recent police report certifying a clear criminal record.

How Do You Apply for a Saudi Work Visa?

The process involves collaboration between the employer and employee and the following steps:

1. Employer Registration – the first step is for the Saudi employer to register with the Ministry of Interior and open an immigration file. This step formally establishes the employer’s ability to sponsor foreign employees.
2. Applying for the Work Visa – once registration is complete, the employer must submit a Work Visa application to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD). This application should include all necessary supporting documents to ensure that the Ministry has everything needed for swift review.
3. Receiving Visa authorisation – When the HRSD approves the application, it will notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will issue a Visa Authorisation Number to allow the prospective employee to move forward with the application. This typically takes around two weeks.
4. Employee’s Application Submission – using the Visa Authorisation Number, the prospective employee is then required to submit a visa application to the Saudi embassy or consulate in their home country, together with any required documents to complete their file.
5. Issuance of the Work Visa – providing that all the required documentation is in order, the embassy will issue the visa, typically within one to three weeks. At this point, the employee is officially approved to enter Saudi Arabia and begin their work journey.
6. Entering and Applying for the Iqama – the final step is for the employer to apply for a residence permit (Iqama) within 90 days of the employee’s arrival in Saudi Arabia. The Iqama serves as the primary ID in Saudi Arabia and is essential for daily activities, from opening a bank account to verifying legal status.

To ensure a smooth process, employers should keep thorough up-to-date records of all visa-related documents and monitor visa and Iqama expiration dates to avoid costly lapses. For employees who need to travel outside Saudi Arabia, securing an Exit/Re-Entry Permit from the Ministry of Interior in advance –typically a one-week process – is essential for avoiding any disruptions.

How Much Does a Saudi Work Visa Cost?

The cost of a Saudi work visa can vary based on several factors, including the type of employment, the length of stay and the employee’s nationality. In general, Saudi employers are expected to cover the costs associated with their employees’ work visas and residence permits.

The fees vary depending on the company’s national workforce percentage:

• Companies employing 50% or more Saudi nationals – the total cost of a Work Visa and Residence Permit will be around SAR7,200 (c. USD2,000), which includes:
  • Iqama (Residence Permit) SAR750
  • Work Permit SAR6,000
  • Medical Insurance SAR 450
• Companies employing 50% or more non-Saudi nationals – the total cost of a Work Visa and Residence Permit will be around SAR8,400 because the Work Visa fee increases to SAR7,200, while Iqama and medical insurance fees remain the same.

How can Sovereign PPG help?

With extensive knowledge of the Saudi market and strong connections with local authorities, Sovereign PPG can streamline the Work Visa and Iqama application process, ensuring compliance with all labour and immigration requirements. Whether you need assistance with obtaining Work Visas, managing employee sponsorship or handling immigration approvals for your team in Saudi Arabia, we are here to help.

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In January 2021, Saudi Arabia implemented a significant new programme for multinational companies (MNCs) in the Kingdom, announcing that any MNC looking to win contracts with Saudi government entities would have first to establish a regional headquarters (RHQ) in the country.

The move was part of Saudi’s broader Vision 2030 plan, a long-term strategy to bolster the country’s fiscal position and diversify its economy away from dependence on oil. The strategy provides international firms with the opportunity to invest in the country, particularly in its non-oil sectors.

In 2024, the RHQ mandate is now in full effect. As of 1 January, MNCs without an RHQ in Saudi Arabia are no longer eligible to bid in government tenders above SAR1 million (USD266,000).

Over 350 MNCs have obtained RHQ licences, with most choosing Riyadh as their base of operations. The capital city is already an economic business hub and is fast becoming a regional headquarters destination for international companies, with big names like Amazon, Google, Microsoft and PepsiCo already having a presence there.

RHQs are not permitted to engage in commercial activities directly, so their focus has to be on regional management and support functions to serve their operations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

There are several regulatory requirements that companies seeking an RHQ in Saudi Arabia must meet. These include obtaining an RHQ licence from MISA, hiring at least 15 full-time employees within a year of getting the licence, having key personnel, including C-level executives, based in the Kingdom, and ensuring that all entities within the MENA region report to the Saudi RHQ.

For a company to qualify as a MNC and apply for the RHQ programme, it must have a presence in at least two countries outside of its headquarters jurisdiction and KSA, be active in the MENA region, and engage in strategic direction, management functions, or support functions through its branches, subsidiaries, or affiliates within the MENA region.

These rules may deter some companies from expanding into the region, given the cost and logistical challenges involved. Setting up a new office, navigating local regulations and hiring qualified staff are all factors to be considered against the benefits.

However, the Saudi government has introduced several incentives to make the RHQ programme more attractive to MNCs. One of the biggest is a 30-year exemption from corporate income tax (CIT) and withholding taxes on eligible RHQ activities. Companies that establish an RHQ can also enjoy other non-tax benefits, including:

• 10-year exemption from ‘Saudization’ requirements.
• Unlimited numbers of visas for employees.
• Dependents of RHQ employees can seek employment opportunities in the KSA.
• Employees of RHQs holding valid professional accreditations in their home countries are exempt from the need to acquire additional local accreditations.

These benefits, as well as the opportunity to bid on government contracts worth over SAR1 million, make the Kingdom an attractive destination for companies looking to expand their regional presence. With Riyadh at the centre of this transformation, the city is fast becoming a business hub not only for Saudi but for the GCC and MENA regions.

The RHQ programme in Saudi Arabia is gaining momentum in 2024. According to recent data from the Ministry of Investment in Saudi Arabia (MISA), over 125 new RHQs were set up in the first quarter alone, a 477% increase year on year that demonstrates the confidence that global companies have in Saudi Arabia’s long-term economy.

To address this influx, the Saudi government has provided more clarity on eligibility and compliance to the RHQ programme, and more resources to help MNCs to set up. This is expected to continue to attract more international companies in the coming months and years.

It is worth noting that RHQs must be established either as a registered branch or as a subsidiary. It is not permitted to conduct RHQ functions from an existing operational entity in KSA. To fulfil the RHQ requirements, MNCs that are already operating in the Kingdom through another entity must either incorporate a branch or a new legal entity.

For MNCs, the decision to have an RHQ in Saudi Arabia is a strategic one. The benefits of government contracts, tax exemptions and a favourable regulatory environment have to be carefully weighed against the costs of relocating, hiring and complying with local regulations. But as Saudi Arabia implements Vision 2030 initiatives, companies that are part of the economic transformation will reap the biggest rewards.

Sovereign Saudi Arabia has extensive experience navigating the Kingdom’s regulatory landscape and enjoys strong relationships with key government agencies. We can streamline the process of establishing your RHQ, handling everything from licensing to visas and employment matters efficiently.

If you need assistance with setting up an RHQ in Saudi Arabia, contact James Elliot-Square, Regional Business Development Manager at Sovereign, below.

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