Saudi Arabia has broadened the availability of alcohol by permitting a specific group of foreigners to purchase it from a designated outlet, as reported by Semafor.
The Saudi government has granted permission to non-Muslim foreigners holding a ‘Premium Residency’ visa —often referred to as the ‘Saudi green card’— to buy alcohol from the Diplomatic Quarter outlet in Riyadh, which was previously exclusive to foreign diplomats.
In recent years, the Saudi government, caught between the need to attract foreign talent and tourists and adhering to Islam’s prohibition on alcohol, has progressively eased its alcohol regulations. This latest change has occurred without any formal announcement, coinciding with Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince and the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, aiming to establish tourism as a fundamental aspect of the kingdom’s economic diversification away from oil dependency.
Until now, only foreign diplomats were permitted to purchase alcohol from the designated outlet in Riyadh. Prior to this, diplomatic missions could import alcohol through diplomatic shipments, and anyone wishing to buy alcohol had to rely on diplomats willing to share their supplies.
What is Saudi Premium Residency?
Saudi Arabia’s ‘Premium Residency’ is a visa program known as the ‘Saudi green card’. It was initiated in 2019 to attract high-earning foreign workers and investors. This program is available to expatriates earning over $21,000 monthly or those employed in specific professions.
In recent years, MBS —the widely used abbreviation for the Saudi crown prince— has aimed to draw in foreigners with expertise in technology and finance to the kingdom, positioning Saudi Arabia as a regional economic center similar to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, the kingdom’s conservative culture has resulted in fewer professionals and tourists seeking opportunities there compared to the UAE over the years.
