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Saudi Work visa

Foreign nationals flock to Saudi Arabia for the employment opportunities and benefits that often include tax-free salaries and accommodation packages. Add the healthy and safe environment for both families and individuals, and Saudi Arabia becomes a very attractive place to work and live. For these reasons, Saudi Arabia hosts thousands of foreign workers per year and aims to attract even more global talents and skills to Saudi Arabia.

To this end, Saudi Arabia offers the Saudi job visa to any eligible foreign national, who wishes to work and live in Saudi Arabia. 

The Saudi work visa is a visit visa that allows a 90-day stay in Saudi Arabia, during which time the Saudi job visa holder can apply for a Saudi residence visa, which along with the Saudi work permit, or Iqama, allows the foreign employee to engage in more long-term work and living activities in Saudi Arabia.

It is important to note that foreign nationals wishing to engage in short-term commercial activities with a Saudi company or entity, such as meetings, negotiations, or corporate events, should hold a Saudi business visit visa. The Saudi business visit visa is applied for by a Saudi host company or entity on the foreign national’s behalf. The Saudi business visit visa is issued as a single-entry visit visa valid for 3 months, allowing a 60-day stay (extendable), or as a multiple-entry visit visa valid for 6 months or 1 year, allowing a 90-day stay each visit (non-extendable).

Table of contents

Eligibility

All foreign citizens from all nationalities are eligible to apply for a Saudi work visa, provided they have received a valid job offer and a signed employment contract from a Saudi employer. Foreign applicants will also be asked to provide personal information and undergo medical screening, among other requirements.

Saudi Work visa requirements

To apply for a Saudi work visa, applicants must meet the following Saudi work visa requirements:

Employment visa

Saudi employer applies for the Saudi employment visa, with the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Labor, on applicant’s behalf. If the Saudi work permit is approved, the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will issue a visa authorization number

Sponsorship letter

Applicant must have an invitation letter by a Saudi Arabian organization or company that is certified by MOFA and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce. The sponsorship letter must indicate applicant’s name, position, block visa number, and date.

Visa referral note

A visa referral note must be issued by Saudi MOFA that states Saudi work visa number and date.

Employment contract

An employment contract that is signed by both applicant and Saudi employer and certified by MOFA and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.

Diploma

To apply for a Saudi work visa, foreign nationals are required to provide a certified and notarized copy of their university degree or training/technical diploma. The diploma needs to be recognized and authenticated by the relevant authorities in the applicant's country of origin or by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission and the Saudi Arabian embassy in the respective country.

Health report

Applicant must submit 3 copies of a recent medical report, issued within the last 3 months by a licensed physician, bearing the doctor’s license number and address, complete with lab results that prove the applicant is disease-free.

Police report

Applicant must submit a recent police report, issued at least 6 months before applying for the Saudi work visa, that details applicant’s criminal record or lack thereof.

Medical Insurance

Applicant should purchase health insurance from Saudi Arabia.

Passport

Applicant must hold a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia or that meets the rules of reciprocity.

Personal photos

Applicant are required to submit one recent color photo; against a white background; 2x2 inches; 5 to 100 KB natural facial expressions; 80% face; no eyeglasses; no head wear, except for religious reasons.

Application

Applicant should apply for their Saudi work visa by filling out the Saudi work visa application form on the Saudi MOFA portal and then submit the application and required documents by mail or in person at their nearest Saudi embassy or representation office abroad.

Once the Saudi employment visa has been approved, applicant can then travel to Saudi Arabia and stay for up to 90 days. During that time, the foreign worker should convert their Saudi work visa into a Saudi residence permit, allowing the foreign employee to stay in Saudi Arabia and engage in long-term employment and living activities.

Applying for a Saudi working visa

To apply for a Saudi working visa, applicants should follow these steps:

Apply for work visa

- Saudi employer applies to MOFA for a Saudi work visa on the applicant’s behalf.
- Foreign worker completes the Saudi work visa application on the Saudi MOFA portal, complete with personal data and other requested information. Print the Saudi work visa application form, sign it where necessary, and affix your personal photos.
- Pay the Saudi work visa fees online on the Saudi MOFA portal, using a valid credit or debit card.

Submit work visa

Submit your Saudi job visa application and required documents by mailing them or visiting your nearest Saudi Arabia embassy or representation office abroad

Receive work visa

- If approved, your Saudi work visa can be retrieved from the Saudi Arabia embassy or representation office where you applied.
- Check that all the visa information is correct and matches the information on your passport.

Apply for residence permit

While traveling to Saudi Arabia, during the 90-day permitted stay, the foreign worker should apply for a Saudi residence permit with the Saudi Ministry of Labor.

The Saudi residence permit will allow the foreign worker to work and live in Saudi Arabia for 1-year, or as long as foreign worker maintains the same job, under the same Saudi employer.

Processing time

Saudi work visas are usually processed between 3 weeks to 2 months, depending on the individual case. It is always advised to start your Saudi job application process early, so as to avoid possible delays.

Saudi work visa extension

Saudi job visas can be extended for an additional 90 days, allowing the visitor to stay for a total of 180 days in Saudi Arabia. It is advised to apply for a Saudi work visa extension as early as possible, in order to avoid overstays if your current Saudi work visa expires.

Validity

The Saudi work visa is a visit visa, permitting its holder to stay in Saudi Arabia for a maximum of 90 days. During the time traveling to Saudi Arabia, the foreign employee should apply for a Saudi residence permit with the Saudi Ministry of Labor, which along with their Saudi work permit, or Iqama, allows the foreign employee to work and live in Saudi Arabia for up to 1 year, extendable based on the continuity of the same employment.

Saudi visa FAQ

Yes, Saudi Arabia is currently issuing Saudi job visas to any eligible foreign national who meets the list of Saudi work visa requirements listed above.
The validity of the Saudi job visa is normally one year, but as each Saudi work visa application is processed on an individual basis, a Saudi job visa may be issued with a 3-month validity period. Saudi work visas allow for a 90-day maximum stay in Saudi Arabia, extendable for another 90 days.

Saudi work visas are usually processed between 3 weeks to 2 months, depending on the individual case. We recommend you start your Saudi job visa application process as early as possible, as unforeseen delays may occur.

An Iqama is a work permit that allows a foreign national to engage in long-term employment activities, while a visa is a visitor’s pass that allows a foreign national to visit another country for a short, specified period of time.