Citizenship and Residency by Investment Programmes
See below a selection of countries offering residency and citizenship investment programmes.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, amidst its Vision 2030 reforms, is becoming increasingly attractive to high net worth immigrant investors. The kingdom is opening up its real estate sector, with luxury developments in Riyadh and Jeddah. Investments are diversifying beyond oil, focusing on sectors like tourism, entertainment, and technology. The business environment is improving, though some complexities remain. The country’s rich cultural heritage, strategic location, and significant government spending on infrastructure and social amenities enhance its appeal as a potential second home for investors seeking growth opportunities.
Saudi Arabia Golden Visa
Saudi Arabia does not currently offer a citizenship by investment programme similar to those offered by some other countries. Such programmes often allow individuals to obtain citizenship rights through substantial investment, typically in real estate, national development funds, or local businesses. However Saudi does now offer what could be classed as a golden visa whereby residency can be granted through investment into real estate. This is part of the Premium Residency suite of programmes launched by the government in January 2024.
Premium Residency Saudi Arabia
Also known as “Privileged Iqama” and somewhat equivalent to the US “Green Card” system, this allows eligible expatriates to obtain long-term residency in Saudi Arabia. While this program is not a citizenship by investment route, it offers extended residency privileges to foreign investors, professionals, and their families. This includes the right to work, the right to own property in all Saudi cities (except Makkah and Madinah), and the ability to undertake commercial activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia Passport Strength and Ranking
If Saudi Arabia were to offer a Citizenship by Investment programme, one of the concerns for applicants would be its passport. The Saudi Arabian passport offers visa-free access to around 92 countries worldwide. It is a weaker passport. In terms of access for business people, it offers visa-free access to 16.4% of the world’s wealth (as measured by GDP) and 29.2% of the global travel popularity. It ranks 116th overall in La Vida’s comprehensive Global Passport Ranking. This is a contributing factor to why Saudi nationals seek out a second citizenship in countries with stronger passports such as Antigua and Dominica.
