RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency Center has approved 3,484 private companies whose employees can qualify for Special Talent Premium Residency as long as they meet the program’s eligibility requirements, Okaz newspaper reported.
Special Talent products target talented professionals in science, management and research fields whose skills and experience can strengthen local capacity and facilitate knowledge transfer.
Holders of Special Talent Premium Residency will enjoy a variety of general benefits, including the right to reside in Saudi Arabia with their families (including parents, spouse and children under 25 years), freedom of movement between employers, exemption from expatriate and dependent expenses, visa-free exit and re-entry, issuance of visit visas for relatives, and access to exclusive lanes for Saudi and GCC nationals at ports of entry.
Additional benefits include the ability for spouses and children to work in the private sector, move between employers, carry out commercial activities under investment law, and own real estate for profit.
Special benefits include eligibility for premium permanent residence if you meet the requirements and exemption from the Nitaqat program for primary residence holders.
Eligibility criteria apply to two main tracks: researchers and scientific or health personnel, and scientific or health professionals. For the Researcher and Scientific or Health Talent tracks, applicants must have an employment contract with a recognized organization in their preferred specialty, earn a minimum monthly salary of R14,000, hold at least a bachelor’s degree, have at least three years of relevant experience, meet minimum point criteria, provide a letter of recommendation from an employer, and have submitted three research papers in a relevant field.
For scientific and medical professions courses, requirements include an employment contract with a recognized organization in your preferred specialty, a minimum monthly salary of R35,000, a bachelor’s degree or higher, at least three years of relevant experience, meeting the minimum point criteria, and a letter of recommendation from your employer.


