Saudi Arabia Work Visa Requirements

A work visa by definition is where an individual is given authorisation to engage in full time employment in a country where they would not normally be eligible to work in. The authorisation must come from the relevant authority in the country he/she intends to work in (typically the Governmental immigration department of the Ministry of Labour and Social affairs). A work visa will be in the form a standard document or a stamp in your passport. It must be noted that depending on the country you seek employment and residency in; some individuals are not required to obtain a work visa. Generally all jurisdictions with reciprocal treaty agreements do not stipulate that an individual must obtain a work visa for undertaking employment in those countries. Generally each jurisdiction will lay down conditions which need to be satisfied in order to be approved a work visa.

Who requires a Saudi Arabia Work Visa?

A work visa is necessary for all applicants who intend to take up an employment contract in Saudi Arabia. If you are a national from any country out side the Gulf cooperation Countries then you will be required to obtain the relevant work permit to be eligible to reside and work in Saudi Arabia.

Application of a Saudi Arabia Work Visa

All work visas are approved and issued by the Labour and Social Affairs Ministry of Saudi Arabia and are applied for by the sponsor (employer) on behalf of the foreign national employee. The applicant of a Saudi Arabia work visa must be between the ages of 16 and 60 years of age and the official retirement age in Saudi Arabia is 60 years old. The average length of time for a Saudi Arabia work visa is between 6 – 8 weeks long.

Required documents for a Saudi Arabia Visa

- Completed ‘white visa’ application form

- Valid passport with a minimum of 6 months remaining

- 2 x recent passport photos

- Certified copy of your highest educational and professional qualifications

- Copy of the employment contract to be signed by both the sponsor and the applicant

- Original letter from the sponsor company stating their sponsorship of the applicant, this letter must be certified by the Saudi Chamber of commerce.

- A police clearing report

- Medical report evidencing the applicants good health accompanied by 3 photos of the applicant

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