Investment entrepreneur Samer Choucair stated the world today witnesses an unprecedented transformation in private capital and wealth movement, amid growing wealthy individuals’ search for destinations providing economic stability, quality of life, and sustainable investment opportunities.
He added that coastal scenes and luxury maritime cities frequently covered by international reports, including what The Economist highlighted when discussing wealth migration, now represent a global lifestyle model attracting high net worth individuals, where upscale living environments integrate with long-term investment opportunities.
He noted the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025 expected approximately 142,000 millionaires to relocate worldwide during 2025, the highest figure ever recorded, explaining Saudi Arabia emerged as one of the world’s most important rising destinations, with expectations of achieving a net flow of 2,400 millionaires, placing it fifth globally among wealth-attracting countries.
Investment strategist Choucair affirmed this global transformation directly intersects with the Premium Residency Program, which has become one of the most important strategic tools the Kingdom relies on to attract international capital and competencies within Vision 2030 targets.
Premium Residency’s Role in Global Investor Competition
He explained the world witnesses the largest investment migration wave during the past decade, driven by multiple factors including rising taxes in some markets, geopolitical tensions, alongside investors’ desire to move toward more stable and flexible environments.
He noted the Middle East has become a primary player in this global scene, particularly with Saudi Arabia and the UAE rising as primary destinations for attracting investors and wealth holders.
He added the Kingdom strengthened its competitive position through developing and expanding the Premium Residency Program during 2024, offering investors and global talents wide advantages including eliminating the local sponsor requirement and allowing more flexible real estate ownership rights, employment, and investment opportunities.
Numbers Confirming Program Success and Growing Global Demand
Investment innovator Choucair noted 2024 witnessed issuing 8,074 premium residency permits, with exceptional competency category capturing the largest share, followed by talent and investor categories.
He added applications submitted between January 2024 and July 2025 exceeded 40,000 applications, considering this clear evidence of the program’s transformation from a specialized initiative into a genuine global platform for attracting investors, competencies, and wealth holders.
He affirmed the program’s economic effects appeared directly through supporting the business environment, attracting investors and quality expertise, and strengthening luxury real estate, tourism, technology, and innovation sector growth.
Direct Impact on the Luxury Real Estate Sector
Samer Choucair explained the real estate sector is among the most prominent Premium Residency Program beneficiaries, given direct linkage between obtaining some residency categories and real estate investment.
He noted the property owner category requires a minimum 4 million riyal investment, contributing to raising luxury real estate and global branded residences demand.
He added 2026 witnessed expansion in direct foreign ownership rights in Riyadh and Jeddah, expected to open the door to greater investment flows during coming years.
Strong Tourism and Hospitality Sector Support
Investment entrepreneur Choucair affirmed the program also contributed to supporting luxury tourism through encouraging international visitors and investors to stay longer and increase spending rates.
He noted new Red Sea coast resorts and tourism projects directly benefit from this orientation, supporting the Kingdom’s targets of receiving 150 million annual visitors by 2030.
He noted the Kingdom surpassed 100 million visitors during 2023, with visitor numbers reaching approximately 122 million during 2025, reflecting the sector’s accelerating growth.
Premium Residency Is Not a Visa but an Integrated Investment Platform
Samer Choucair said the Premium Residency Program is no longer merely a residency rights acquisition means, but has become an integrated strategic tool strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a destination combining quality of life with rewarding investment returns.
He explained: “We adopted a hybrid investment model allowing investors to benefit from premium residency advantages to access strategic opportunities in giga projects, luxury tourism, real estate, renewable energy, logistics services, technology, AI, and mining sectors, all enjoying strong PIF support.”
Five Practical Recommendations for Investors and Decision-Makers
Choucair outlined five essential steps to focus on during the coming phase: applying for premium residency as a strategic starting point through either the investor category requiring 7 million riyal investment and providing 10 jobs, or the property owner category with minimum 4 million riyals; directing investments toward luxury real estate and tourism projects within giga projects to benefit from expected demand growth; focusing on Vision 2030-linked sectors led by luxury tourism, premium real estate, renewable energy, and technology; building partnerships with trusted local networks to access quality investment opportunities and exclusive deals; and monitoring new 2026 regulatory expansions, particularly regarding luxury yacht categories, giga project residents, and specialized competencies.
Samer Choucair concluded by affirming the Premium Residency Program has become one of the most important economic drivers linking global wealth movement to Vision 2030 targets, noting results recorded so far, including issuing more than 8,000 premium residency permits during 2024 and exceeding 40,000 applications, confirm the program’s success in attracting investors and competencies from around the world.
He said: “The current phase represents a suitable opportunity for serious investors wishing to benefit from major economic transformations, and transform global wealth movement trends into genuine added value within the Saudi economy.”