Which Gulf Nation Offers the Best Residency in 2025? UAE Golden Visa vs Saudi Premium Residency – What You Need to Know!

Published on December 19, 2025

The Gulf region is fast becoming a hub for global talent and investment. With cities like Dubai and Riyadh leading the way, long-term residency options are now available for professionals, investors, and families from all over the world. The UAE Golden Visa and Saudi Premium Residency are two of the most popular residency schemes that promise greater freedom, long-term stability, and investment opportunities for expats. But which programme is right for you? Let’s break it down.

What is the UAE Golden Visa?

The UAE Golden Visa offers long-term residency to individuals who can contribute to the country’s economy, whether through investment, business, or professional expertise. Here’s what makes it stand out:

• Duration: 5 or 10 years of renewable residency, depending on eligibility.
• No Sponsor Needed: Unlike traditional work visas, the Golden Visa allows individuals to live and work without a local employer sponsor.
• Eligibility: It’s designed for:
  • Investors in the UAE economy (e.g., property investors, entrepreneurs).
  • Highly skilled professionals (doctors, engineers, scientists).
  • Outstanding students with high academic achievements.
  • Humanitarian workers and creative talents (artists, musicians, etc.).
• Family Inclusion: Holders can sponsor their families, ensuring long-term security for loved ones.
• Flexibility: You can live abroad for extended periods without losing the visa.

The UAE government’s official platform confirms that the goal of the Golden Visa is to attract international talent and investment to the country, allowing professionals to contribute to the economy while enjoying stability and freedom. This residency programme is seen as a crucial step in transforming the UAE into a global knowledge and business hub.

What is Saudi Premium Residency?

Launched in 2019, the Saudi Premium Residency (often referred to as the Saudi Green Card) is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy. The programme offers both permanent and annual residency options to eligible foreigners who want to live, work, and invest in Saudi Arabia. Here’s a look at the key features:

• Residency Types:
  • Permanent Residency: No renewal required, valid for a lifetime.
  • Annual Residency: Can be renewed annually.
• No Sponsor Needed: Much like the Golden Visa, the Premium Residency does not require a local sponsor.
• Eligibility: Open to:
  • Investors who meet financial thresholds.
  • Skilled professionals and entrepreneurs.
  • Property owners in Saudi Arabia.
• Privileges:
  • Ability to own property, run businesses, and recruit domestic staff.
  • Family inclusion with residency rights for spouses and children.
  • Unlimited exit and re-entry options to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has designed this residency scheme to attract international investors, entrepreneurs, and highly skilled individuals to support its vision for a diversified economy. The programme allows residents to enjoy the same rights as citizens in terms of employment and business opportunities.

Key Differences Between the UAE Golden Visa and Saudi Premium Residency

1. Duration and Flexibility

• UAE Golden Visa:
  • Available for 5 or 10 years depending on eligibility.
  • Renewable and does not require staying in the UAE year-round.
  • No strict minimum stay requirements.
• Saudi Premium Residency:
  • Permanent residency is available (lifetime) or an annual renewable option.
  • Annual holders need to renew their residency each year.
  • Limited absences for permanent residents may affect benefits.

2. Eligibility and Requirements

• UAE Golden Visa:
  • Open to investors, entrepreneurs, doctors, scientists, and students with excellent academic achievements.
  • Broad eligibility criteria across various sectors.
• Saudi Premium Residency:
  • Requires substantial investment or ownership in Saudi Arabia.
  • Priority for skilled professionals, investors, and property owners.

3. Investment Opportunities

• UAE Golden Visa:
  • Real estate investments of AED 2 million or more can qualify.
  • Entrepreneurs can qualify through business ventures in tech, healthcare, or other innovative sectors.
• Saudi Premium Residency:
  • Focuses on foreign investment in key sectors of Saudi Arabia’s economy.
  • Property ownership is a significant part of the eligibility criteria.

4. Family and Dependents

• UAE Golden Visa:
  • Residents can sponsor their families, ensuring they live and work together in the UAE.
• Saudi Premium Residency:
  • Includes spouses and children in the residency package.
  • Family sponsorship is a significant benefit of the programme.

How Do These Residency Programmes Benefit Expats and Investors?

Both the UAE Golden Visa and Saudi Premium Residency programmes provide numerous benefits for expats, professionals, and investors, such as:

• No need for a local sponsor or employer to secure residency.
• Family security and stability, allowing loved ones to stay long-term.
• Business opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors to own and run businesses without restrictions.
• Enhanced lifestyle options, with access to world-class facilities in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
• Access to healthcare, education, and other state-backed services that add value to long-term residence.

Which Programme is Right for You?

Choosing between the UAE Golden Visa and Saudi Premium Residency depends on your personal and professional goals:

• If you’re seeking flexibility and global mobility, the UAE Golden Visa offers a more relaxed residency option with minimal restrictions on travel and family rights.
• If you’re focused on long-term investment and permanent residency within Saudi Arabia, Saudi Premium Residency is ideal, especially if you plan to take part in Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s expanding opportunities in business and technology.

Conclusion: Gulf Residency Options for the Future

The UAE Golden Visa and Saudi Premium Residency offer unique advantages, allowing foreign nationals to secure long-term residence in two of the Gulf’s most dynamic cities, Dubai and Riyadh. Both programmes focus on attracting global talent and investment, while ensuring that expatriates can live, work, and invest with greater freedom. Whether you’re seeking flexibility, business opportunities, or permanent settlement, these residency options make the Gulf region a competitive and attractive choice for international professionals.

By providing long-term stability, family security, and the chance to contribute to two growing economies, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are setting the stage for a more globalised, diversified fu