Merit-based residency for individuals with outstanding achievements in sports, culture, or the arts. There is no salary or income threshold — eligibility rests on recognised exceptional talent and a mandatory endorsement letter from the Ministry of Culture or Ministry of Sports.
Endorsement (recommendation letter) from the Ministry of Culture or Ministry of Sports is mandatory
Category 1: nominated for or recipient of an exceptional award approved by the Ministry of Culture or Ministry of Sports
Category 2: national or regional achievements and recognition within the applicant's professional community, per ministry-defined criteria
Qualifying sporting fields include Olympic disciplines such as football, handball, basketball, volleyball, swimming, combat sports, and athletics
Qualifying cultural and artistic fields include music, writing (literature), design, theatre, and cinema
Proof of financial capacity to cover living costs in Saudi Arabia (12 months of bank statements)
⏱️ Duration
Granted for 5 years and renewable once for a further 5-year term. After at least 30 months of physical presence in Saudi Arabia, holders may apply to convert to permanent Premium Residency.
👪 Dependants
Yes
Spouse, unmarried children under 25, special-needs children of any age, unmarried daughters over 25, and the holder's parents may all be included under the single SAR 4,000 application fee with no per-person charge. Family members are exempt from expatriate and dependent fees, may work in the private sector, and travel freely without exit-reentry visas.
🛂 Citizenship Path
Yes
The 2024 amendment to the Premium Residency Law removed the former prohibition on Premium Residency holders pursuing Saudi citizenship. Holders may first convert to permanent Premium Residency after 30 months of physical presence within a 5-year period, opening an eventual pathway toward naturalisation.
The Gifted Premium Residency (الإقامة المميزة — الموهبة) is a fixed-term residency product under Saudi Arabia's Premium Residency system, designed for individuals with outstanding achievements in sports, culture, and the arts. Introduced in January 2024 as one of five new category-based Premium Residency products, it lets eligible foreign nationals live in Saudi Arabia without a local sponsor or employment contract — based purely on recognised talent and an endorsement from the Ministry of Culture or Ministry of Sports. The program reflects Saudi Vision 2030's ambition to make the Kingdom a global centre of cultural and sporting excellence.
Requirements
Applicants must fall into one of two categories:
Category 1: recipients of, or nominees for, an exceptional award approved by the Ministry of Culture or Ministry of Sports.
Category 2: individuals meeting ministry-defined criteria, including national or regional achievements and recognition within their professional community.
Qualifying fields span Olympic sports (football, handball, basketball, volleyball, swimming, combat sports, athletics, and others) and cultural or artistic disciplines (music, writing, design, theatre, cinema, and others). A recommendation letter from the relevant ministry is mandatory. There is no salary threshold, but applicants must show financial capacity to cover living costs in Saudi Arabia, evidenced by 12 months of bank statements. The application fee is SAR 4,000 (about USD 1,067) covering the main applicant and all family members, plus a non-refundable processing fee of roughly USD 170.
Required Documents
Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity) for the applicant and all dependants
12 months of bank statements demonstrating financial capacity
Criminal record certificate from the home country
Medical report (within 6 months) confirming absence of contagious diseases
Recommendation letter from the Ministry of Culture or Ministry of Sports
Evidence of exceptional awards, nominations, or professional achievements, plus supporting media coverage
All non-Arabic documents require certified translation and attestation, and cooperative health insurance is mandatory for the holder and all family members.
Duration & Renewal
The residency is granted for 5 years and is renewable once for an additional 5-year term, provided the holder still meets all eligibility criteria and has resided in Saudi Arabia for at least 30 months during the initial period (consecutive or non-consecutive). After meeting that 30-month presence requirement, holders may apply to convert to permanent Premium Residency with endorsement from the relevant ministry.
Family Members
Spouse, unmarried children under 25, special-needs children of any age, unmarried daughters over 25, and the holder's parents may all be included under the same application at no extra cost. Family members enjoy equivalent residency rights, including the ability to work in the private sector, own property, and travel freely without exit-reentry visas, and are exempt from expatriate and dependent fees.
Tax Implications
Saudi Arabia does not levy personal income tax on salaries or wages. Premium Residency holders and their family members are also exempt from expatriate fees (رسوم الوافدين) and dependent fees (رسوم المرافقين). Holders remain subject to other applicable taxes, including VAT (15%) and real estate transaction taxes.
Gifted Premium Residency holders are not counted against the Saudisation (Nitaqat) quota system, giving cultural and sporting institutions extra flexibility to retain non-Saudi talent. However, as announced in June 2026 by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) via the Qiwa platform, holders who take up employment must obtain a separate Qiwa work permit for SAR 100. This work permit is distinct from the residency permit and does not reinstate the expatriate or dependent levies from which Premium Residency holders remain exempt.
Application Process
Apply online through the Premium Residency Center portal: create an account, complete the application form, and upload all required documents.
Ministry coordination — the Premium Residency Center liaises directly with the Ministry of Culture or Ministry of Sports to obtain the required recommendation letter on the applicant's behalf.
Pay fees — SAR 4,000 for the main applicant plus all family members combined, alongside the processing fee.
Biometrics and approval — a biometric appointment may be required after submission. Once approved, payment must be completed within 30 days, after which the holder receives their Premium Residency permit.
Processing typically takes 30–90 days for a complete application. Holders and their families may enter and exit Saudi Arabia freely without exit-reentry visas and may use dedicated lanes for Saudi nationals at ports of entry.