Overall Rank: #53 out of 199 countries
Saudi Arabia ranks #53 out of 199 countries and territories in the Globevisa Passport Ranking, placing it in the mid-range category. Across the five core dimensions — Mobility (#111), Governance (#60), Security (#53), Education (#28), and Quality of Life (#23) — Saudi Arabia performs strongest in quality of life (#23), followed by education (#28). Its weakest dimension is mobility (#111).
Mobility: #111 (score 45/100), Governance: #60 (score 70/100), Security: #53 (score 74/100), Education: #28 (score 86/100), Quality of Life: #23 (score 89/100)
Saudi Arabia ranks #53 globally in the 2026 Globevisa Passport Ranking, which evaluates 199 countries and territories worldwide. Unlike traditional passport indices that focus solely on visa-free destination counts, the Globevisa Passport Ranking provides a comprehensive structural assessment across five core dimensions: Mobility, Governance, Security, Education, and Quality of Life. In terms of strengths, Saudi Arabia excels in Quality of Life (#23, score 89), Education (#28, score 86), Security (#53, score 74), Governance (#60, score 70).
Country Overview: Saudi Arabia is a resource-rich G20 emerging market offering structured, investment-driven residency pathways to support its Vision 2030 economic transformation. / Emerging regional hub with elite residency-by-investment pathways.
Identity Attributes: Long-term Residency
Global Taxation: No (Territorial or Limited Taxation)
Cost of Living: Medium
Culture & Adaptation: English-friendly in business and urban centers; moderate to high cultural adjustment required for Islamic customs and conservative social norms; best suited for skilled international professionals willing to respect local traditions
Employment & Development: Rapidly diversifying economy driven by Vision 2030 across tech, healthcare, and infrastructure; strong demand for highly skilled foreign professionals with competitive tax-free salaries; rising entry barriers due to Saudization policies and complex contract structures.
Saudi Arabian passport holders currently require a visa for the Schengen Area and the United States, though they benefit from an Electronic Travel Authorisation for the United Kingdom and a recently introduced five-year multiple-entry Schengen visa scheme. The passport is generally well-regarded internationally with a steadily improving global mobility ranking, reflecting the Kingdom's growing diplomatic and economic influence. While there is no immediate risk of access being suspended, future visa-free negotiations with the EU remain subject to ongoing security cooperation and regional geopolitical stability. As such, travelers should continue to monitor potential policy changes regarding international travel requirements and regional security assessments.
Saudi Arabia's immigration landscape is currently in an evolving state, characterized by the strategic expansion of the Premium Residency program to support the Kingdom's economic diversification goals. While the framework for high-net-worth investors has remained relatively stable since its inception, the broader regulatory environment may experience periodic restructuring or tightening of specific visa requirements to meet national labor and security objectives. Applicants could face increasing international compliance scrutiny in the future, particularly regarding financial transparency and anti-money laundering standards as the jurisdiction aligns more closely with global oversight. Therefore, candidates should prepare for a rigorous due diligence process and remain mindful that policies may be adjusted as part of the ongoing Vision 2030 reforms.
Saudi Arabia is characterized by high political stability and exceptionally low rates of violent and petty crime, providing a very secure environment for residents in major urban centers. While cities like Riyadh and Jeddah are safe, security risks increase significantly near the border with Yemen due to regional conflict, and some eastern regions may require increased caution. Personal and property security are strictly enforced through a robust national police force and a legal system based on Sharia law, which utilizes pervasive surveillance and harsh penalties as effective deterrents. Residents often enhance their security by living in gated expat compounds, though they must remain mindful of strict local regulations regarding public conduct and social media activity.