With effect from May 26, 2025, foreign individuals can apply for a work visa in Saudi Arabia without requiring a sponsor, increasing the accessibility of new job opportunities.
This latest move is part of Vision 2030, which aims to bolster the labor market and attract top talent from around the world. There have been other significant changes in recent years, such as the introduction of the Saudi Premium Residency and the facilitation of freelance and investment visas.
The foreign investment visa enables applicants to launch a private business under their own name, while the freelance visa, launched by the Ministry of Human Resources, targets professionals in the technology, marketing, and design fields.
There’s also the self-sponsorship transfer program where foreign individuals can become their own sponsor upon fulfilling a list of requirements.
Under the previous system, foreigners could not work without having a sponsor, which could be an entity or a person. There were also several restrictions, as work visa holders had to obtain approval from their sponsor to move between jobs.
With the removal of the need for a sponsor, foreign individuals can apply for jobs in different sectors, increasing their professional opportunities. They enjoy more freedom as they no longer have to transfer sponsorship when switching jobs.
Other advantages include the possibility of pioneering private projects, gaining permanent or long-term residence, accessing banking and investment facilities, and bringing their family members to Saudi Arabia to live with them and enjoy the same rights and privileges as them.
Foreign entrepreneurs and investors can take advantage of the government facilities that support investment in various sectors, such as real estate, technology, and renewable energy.
Even though there are many benefits to the new work visa, there are some limitations, such as the high visa fees and demand for specific skill sets and qualifications.
There are comprehensive eligibility criteria to ensure that only the top talent secures the work visas. Some of the requirements include proving a steady income exceeding 10,000 SAR each month, possessing a recognized university degree, and having a minimum of five years of practical experience for some visa types.
Interested individuals can apply online by choosing the appropriate visa type, uploading the relevant documents, and paying the visa fees. The processing time typically spans between two weeks to a month.