Saudi Arabia has announced fields required for its Special Talent Residency programme as the kingdom looks for avenues to diversify its economy, Gulf News reported.

Earlier this month, the government launched new residency programmes aimed at attracting skilled professionals and investment. The five new premium programs cater specifically to professionals in healthcare, sports and real estate, amongst others.

Eligible specialisations for the residency include healthcare and life sciences, digital technologies, financial services, advanced manufacturing, space and defence, energy, metals and mining, logistics and transport, tourism infrastructure, and food and agriculture technologies.

The initiative also caters to research areas in space and aviation, environment, energy, health, urban transformation, and digital technologies.

Under the residency programmes, the kingdom would offer holders opportunities to settle in the Gulf country, conduct business, own real estate and obtain work permits for holders and family members.

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Eligible applicants can sign up for the permit. The initiative would allow them to receive benefits such as exemption from paying expat and dependents fees. The residency permit costs a one-off fee of SR4,000 ($1,066).

They are allowed to own property, including residential, commercial and industrial in all areas of the country, but not in Makkah, Medina and the border regions.

The people having residency permits would also be able to obtain premium residency status for their family members.