Saudi Arabia requires all visitors, except citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, to obtain a visa before entering the country. There are various types of visas available, including employment visas, business visit visas, and family visit or residence visas. This guide will focus on the process of obtaining an employment visa, which is essential for individuals planning to work and stay in Saudi Arabia long term.
Work Visa Requirements
To obtain a work visa in Saudi Arabia, individuals must have a sponsor in the country. The sponsoring employer takes responsibility for most of the application process, but the prospective employee must provide all the necessary documents. Additionally, Saudi Arabia has implemented the Professional Verification Scheme, requiring foreign nationals in specific technical fields to pass an exam to prove their qualifications before receiving a visa.
Documents Required
Some of the documents needed to obtain an employment visa include a valid passport, a passport-sized photograph, proof of online payment of the visa fee, a completed visa application, a signed medical report, a letter of employment from the sponsoring company, a certified copy of the applicant’s university diploma, and a police report of any criminal record.
Step-by-Step Procedure for Obtaining a Work Visa
- Employer Registration: The sponsoring employer must register with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior.
- Immigration File Opening: The Ministry of Interior will open an immigration file containing information about all expatriate employees.
- Work Visa Application: The employer submits a work visa application to the Ministry of Labor.
- Visa Authorization Number: Once approved, the Ministry of Labor notifies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which issues a Visa Authorization Number within two weeks.
- Employee Application: The employee submits their employment visa application to the relevant Saudi embassy along with the required documents.
- Visa Issuance: The embassy issues the visa within one to three weeks, allowing the employee to travel to Saudi Arabia.
- Residency Permit Application: In Saudi Arabia, the employee applies for a residency permit, or iqama, through the Ministry of Labor.
- Iqama Issuance: The Ministry of Labor forwards the approved application to the Ministry of Interior, where the iqama is issued through the Directorate General for Passports.
Other Considerations and Important Information
Employees must carry their iqama at all times to prove their legal status in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, they need to adhere to the country’s rules and regulations, and only Islam is publicly celebrated in Saudi Arabia. If employees plan to bring family members to the country, they must apply for family visit visas.
By following this step-by-step guide and meeting all requirements, individuals can successfully apply for a work visa in Saudi Arabia and pursue their employment opportunities in the country.
