Saudi Arabia Sets Salary Requirements for Residency Programme

Saudi Arabia has introduced monthly salary benchmarks for foreign professionals aiming for permanent residency through its Special Talent Residency programme. This initiative, still in effect in 2026, targets exceptional talent in executive leadership, healthcare, science, and research.

The programme's goal is to attract highly skilled professionals globally to bolster the country's development ambitions, stimulate innovation, and enhance human capital investment. To qualify, applicants must meet specific salary thresholds based on their professional category: researchers must earn at least SAR 14,000 (approximately ₦6.3 million), healthcare and scientific professionals must earn a minimum of SAR 35,000 (approximately ₦15.75 million), and executives in first or second-level positions must earn at least SAR 80,000 (approximately ₦36 million).

Additionally, applicants must hold employment contracts with entities on the government's approved whitelist and work within designated priority specialisations. The programme also exempts primary holders from the Nitaqat system, which regulates the hiring ratio of Saudi nationals to foreign workers.