Saudi Work Permit Visa: A Comprehensive Guide

Types of Work Visa in Saudi Arabia and Work Permits

The Kafala System lays the foundation of employment and Saudi Arabia work permit visa. It requires local employers to sponsor foreign workers and take responsibility for their visa and work permit process. 

Depending on the nature of employment, here are the types of work visa in Saudi Arabia: 

Saudi Arabia work visa types

1. Employment Visa: This is the most common visa option for foreigners with a job offer in Saudi Arabia. The minimum age for a work visa in Saudi Arabia is 18 years (24 years for certain occupations) and is valid for one year. The maximum age limit for a work visa in Saudi Arabia is 60 years. 
2. Business Visit Visa: This visa is for short-term (two months) business purposes like meetings or conferences. You cannot use this visa option to employ someone.

Saudi Arabia work permit types

1. Work Permit (Iqama): The Iqama is a residency permit required for anyone working or living long-term in Saudi Arabia. As an employer, you must have a work permit in Saudi Arabia arranged on behalf of your employee.‍
2. Premium Residency Visa: Saudi Arabia presents options for high-value residents to live and work without a sponsor or work permit.

Requirements for Saudi Work Visa and Permits 

A work visa in Saudi Arabia restricts working only for sponsored employers and in the specific profession listed on the visa. However, these restrictions may not hold while onboarding remote employees.

Let’s look at some specific Saudi work permit visa requirements: 

Saudi Arabia work visa requirements

For employment & business work visa in Saudi Arabia, you are required to gather the following documents: 

• Passport: Valid for at least six months with two blank pages.
• Employment Contract: Copy signed by both employee and employer and certified by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• Sponsorship Documents: Original letter from sponsoring Saudi company, certified by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This letter should include:
  • Block visa number
  • Date
  • Job position
  • Job holder name

The below-listed documents are necessary to secure an employment visa and are not required to obtain a Saudi work permit visa for business: 

• Educational Credentials: Certified and notarized copy of university degree/diploma authenticated by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission.
• Medical Report: Certified by a licensed physician within three months of issuance.
• Police Report: Issued within six months of application with detailed criminal history information (if any).

Saudi Arabia work permit requirements

• Within 90 days of employee arrival, you must apply for their Iqama (residence permit). 
• This residence permit is a work permit and your employee’s official ID in Saudi Arabia.

How to Apply for Saudi Arabia Work Visa and Permits

Saudi Arabia is also a popular destination for digital nomads. You can follow the below steps to apply for work visa and permits:  

Work visa in Saudi Arabia 

1. Submit a work visa application on the official website (Enjazit website). 
2. Choose the "single entry" option.
3. Give the applicant a digital power of attorney and a visa referral note from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. Pay the visa fee in Saudi Riyals. 
5. The cost of a work visa in Saudi Arabia depends on the number of Saudi nationals in your workforce. Companies employing more than 50% Saudi nationals may bear the following costs: 

• Iqama: SAR 750 
• Saudi Arabia work permit visa: SAR 6,000 
• Insurance: SAR 450

Application processing time

The application processing time for a Saudi work permit visa is based on individual cases but usually varies between 3 weeks to two months. 

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We navigate the complexities of work visa applications and residency permits and ensure compliance with local regulations. This frees you to focus on what truly matters: building a world-class, global team. 

Book a demo with Skuad and unlock the potential of a global workforce. 

FAQs

Q1. How can I get a Saudi work permit?

A1. Saudi work permit involves the Kafala sponsorship system, where a local employer is your sponsor and handles most of the paperwork. Once approved, you can enter the country, and your employer will apply for your Iqama (residence and work permit combined) within 90 days. 

Q2. How much is a work permit in Saudi Arabia?

A2. The employee doesn't directly pay for a Saudi work permit. Instead, employers typically cover the fees associated with obtaining an Iqama, which acts as both your residence permit and work permit. These fees can vary depending on the company's Saudization rate (percentage of Saudi employees) but generally range from SAR 7,200 (around USD 1,900) to SAR 9,600 (around USD 2,500) for a one-year permit. 

Q3. Can a US citizen work in Saudi Arabia?

A3. Yes, US citizens can work in Saudi Arabia, but a work visa must be obtained through the Kafala sponsorship system. Once you have a job offer, your employer will initiate the work visa application. You can enter the country upon approval, and your employer will apply for your Iqama (combined residence and work permit). 

Q4. How much is a 2-year visa for Saudi Arabia?

A4. There isn't a direct cost for a 2-year work visa in Saudi Arabia. Instead, the fees are associated with obtaining an Iqama (residence permit with work permit included) and a Saudization rate (percentage of Saudi employees). 

Q5. How long does a Saudi work permit take?

A5. There isn’t a single processing time for a Saudi work permit, but it involves two steps:

• Step 1: Initiated by the employer, this can take three weeks to 2 months, depending on individual cases.
• Step 2: Once an employee enters Saudi Arabia, their employer applies for Iqama (residence) within 90 days. Processing for this typically takes less time than a work visa.