🇸🇦 Saudi residency: iqama vs Premium

Two paths to living in Riyadh — the employer-tied iqama, or self-sponsored Premium Residency that frees you from a kafeel. Tap to compare.

✓ 2026 · Premium Residency Center / Vision 2030

Premium Residency option

Fee

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Validity

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💡 Why Premium beats a standard iqama: no kafeel (sponsor). Start a business, sponsor family, own residential property, and enter/exit freely — no exit/re-entry permits.

The standard route: iqama

Most expats live on an employer-sponsored iqama — your company handles renewals and government fees. It ties your status to your job, which Premium Residency removes. Either way, Saudi has no personal income tax.

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