You’ll need a strong workforce if you want to expand your business into Saudi Arabia Visa. If you intend to relocate current team members or recruit new staff abroad, you will need to know how to obtain work visas and residency permits for everyone who will be making the trip with you.
Visa Requirements for Employment in Saudi Arabia
Workers require a Saudi Arabian sponsor in order to apply for and receive a work visa. While the onus of application is on the sponsoring company, the prospective employee is responsible for supplying all the required paperwork.
In order to get a work visa, you’ll need to present the following materials:
- Validity of Passport for the Time of Employment
- An in-color photo, passport-size
- Documentation demonstrating that the visa cost has been paid online using the Enjazit platform.
- Submission of a Full Visa Application
- A signed medical report, in triplicate
- The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce must certify the employment offer letter from the sponsoring employer.
- A copy of the employment agreement that has been signed
- University degree verification by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission on the applicant’s behalf.
- A copy of your criminal record from the police
- Pre-paid and pre-addressed envelope
Application Process
Work visa applications must be initiated by the employer. Procedures for acquiring a visa and residence permit in Saudi Arabia are as follows:
- In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Interior requires the supporting employer to register.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will initiate an immigration file for all of the company’s foreign personnel.
- The company will apply for a work visa at the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Labor.
- The Ministry of Labor will inform the Ministry of Foreign Affairs once the application has been granted. An official Visa Authorization Number should be issued by the Foreign Ministry within two weeks.
- The above items will be submitted by the employee together with their employment visa application to the appropriate Saudi Arabian embassy.
- In one to three weeks, the employee will receive the visa from the embassy and be able to fly to Saudi Arabia.
- An Iqama, or Saudi residency permit, can be applied for through the Ministry of Labor.
- In the event that your application is granted, the Ministry of Labor will transmit your information to the Ministry of Interior’s Directorate General for Passports to issue your Iqama.
- Every legal resident and worker in Saudi Arabia is required to carry their Iqama at all times.
- During their time working for the company, employees in Saudi Arabia will need to apply for an Exit/Re-Entry Permit from the Ministry of Interior in order to leave and return to the country. In most cases, you may expect to receive this permit within a week.
In addition, there are a few other factors to think about.
Workers should be aware that the Saudi Arabian government is extremely stringent. A person’s admittance into the country can be denied or they can be deported if their behaviour or appearance is deemed unsuitable. Public shows of affection, men wearing shorts, and women wearing clothing that is excessively tight or thin, baring their hair, or using makeup are all examples of behaviour that are not acceptable in public.
Islam is the only religion permitted in public celebrations in Saudi Arabia, thus all guests should be familiar with its tenets and philosophies. The Saudi religious police, known as Mutawwa’in, will vigorously enforce these regulations across the kingdom.
Family visit visas are required for any employees who wish to bring their spouses or children to Saudi Arabia.
