Saudi Arabia Premium Residency (Skilled Professional) for Pakistanis
Last verified: September 2, 2026
Quick facts
- Processing time
- 12–26 weeks
- Government fee
- about $27,000
- Start preparing
- about 10 months before your move
- Steps in the plan
- 8
- Need an apostille
- None
- Need a translation
- None
- Job offer
- Not required
“Start preparing” covers gathering documents, the 12–26 weeks decision wait and two weeks of slack. Add apostille and translation costs to the government fee.
Overview
Saudi Arabia's sponsor-free long-term residency, often called the Saudi Green Card. The skilled-professional track needs at least a bachelor's degree, three or more years of relevant experience, and a recommendation from an approved Saudi employer, and targets executive leadership, healthcare, science and research. Note the 2026 rule change: Premium Residency holders must now obtain a separate work permit before starting any employment. Temporary permits start around SAR 100,000; the permanent permit is SAR 800,000.
This page covers Pakistanis. For every nationality we track, see the Saudi Arabia Premium Residency overview.
Requirements for Pakistanis
| Minimum annual income | No requirement |
| Minimum savings | $215,000 |
| Job offer required | No |
| Degree required | Yes |
| Family can join | Yes |
| Path to permanent residency | Yes |
Processing time & costs
Typical processing takes 12–26 weeks after applying. The government fee is approximately $27,000. Difficulty: 5/5.
Documents you'll need
- Confirm you meet the skilled-professional criteriaBachelor's degree or higher, three or more years of experience, in a targeted field.
- Obtain an employer recommendation from an approved Saudi entityThe entity must be approved under the Premium Residency programme.
- Attest degree, licence to practise and experience lettersFollows the HEC, MOFA and Saudi Embassy chain; healthcare applicants add their practice licence.
- Assemble financial-standing evidenceProof of funds for the fee tier: SAR 100,000 for temporary or SAR 800,000 for permanent.
- Submit the application on the Premium Residency Centre portalFiled at premiumresidency.sa with attested documents; applications are assessed, not automatic.
- Pay the residency fee once approvedSAR 100,000 for temporary (renewable annually) or SAR 800,000 one-off for permanent.
- Apply for a separate work permit before starting workSince the 2026 policy change, Premium Residency alone does not authorise employment.
- Sponsor family membersImmediate family can join without a local sponsor.
The full ordered checklist — with timing, dependencies, apostille and translation flags, and personalized due dates — is part of the paid plan.
Not moving yet?
The Premium Residency (Skilled Professional) takes about 10 months from first document to moving day. Tell us when you plan to move and we’ll email you once, on the day you should start.
Is the Premium Residency (Skilled Professional) right for you?
Answer 6 questions and see every visa you qualify for — free.
Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- How long does the Saudi Arabia Premium Residency (Skilled Professional) take for Pakistanis?
- Typical processing time is 12–26 weeks after applying, plus the time needed to gather documents.
- What does the Premium Residency (Skilled Professional) cost?
- The government fee is approximately $27,000. Additional costs (translations, apostilles, insurance) vary by case.
- Do Pakistanis need a job offer for the Premium Residency (Skilled Professional)?
- No. The Premium Residency (Skilled Professional) does not require a job offer from a Saudi Arabia employer.
- Can I bring my family on the Premium Residency (Skilled Professional)?
- Yes — this visa allows accompanying family members, with additional documentation.
Other Saudi Arabia visas for Pakistanis
Other destinations for Pakistanis
Saudi Arabia visas for other nationalities
Always confirm requirements with the official government source. This guide is general information, not legal advice.