Saudi Arabia Work Visa 2024: Visa Types, Eligibility, and Application Guide

Eric Nkom May 28, 2024

0 2 6 minutes read

Saudi Arabia Work Visa 2024: Visa Types, Eligibility, and Application Guide

Saudi Arabia is a popular destination for workers from around the world because of its burgeoning economy and rich cultural legacy. Knowing the Saudi Arabia Work Visa Process 2024 is crucial as the nation welcomes foreign professionals. This blog offers a thorough explanation of the many kinds of work visas that are offered in Saudi Arabia, along with step-by-step guidance for applying for them.

Types of Work Visas in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia provides a variety of work visas, each suited to a particular occupational category and necessity for employment. Applicants need to comprehend the differences between these visas to select the right one for their situation.

1. Employment Visa

The most popular kind of visa for foreigners looking for steady work in Saudi Arabia is the employment visa. Typically, a Saudi employer who has extended a job offer to the candidate sponsors this visa.

Qualifications:

A legitimate employment offer from a Saudi company.
Appropriate education and experience for the position.

Important Points:

It is usually good for one to two years, though it can be extended.
Requires the employer to act as a sponsor for the majority of the application process.
The candidate needs to go through a medical evaluation.

2. Temporary Work Visa

Professionals who must spend a brief time working in Saudi Arabia are the target market for the Temporary Work Visa. Project-based assignments, consultants, and temporary contract workers are the perfect candidates for this visa.

Qualifications:

A brief project or employment agreement from a Saudi business.

Important Points:

Valid for a maximum of ninety days, extendable if needed.
Needs a sponsor, who is typically the business employing the temporary employee.
With a shorter validity period, the application process is comparable to that of the Employment Visa.

3. Seasonal Work Visa

The Seasonal Work Visa is granted during particular times of peak demand in industries such as construction, hotels, and agriculture. Generally speaking, this visa is granted during periods of high demand when there is a labor shortage.

Qualifications:

Work in an industry with cyclical demand.
An employer in Saudi Arabia that sponsors.

Important Points:

Valid for approximately six months.
Requires an employer’s sponsorship and a medical examination.
Perfect for employees in sectors with seasonal highs and lows.

4. Internship Visa

Students and recent graduates who want to work in Saudi Arabia can apply for an internship visa. Young professionals can intern with Saudi businesses with this visa.

Qualifications:

Enrollment in a learning environment or a recent graduate.
An offer of internship from a Saudi business.

Important Points:

Valid for the whole internship period, which is often between six months and a year.
Needs to be sponsored by the organization hosting it.
Intended to give exposure to the Saudi workplace and real-world work experience.

5. Business Visit Visa

Professionals attending meetings, conferences, or short-term training in Saudi Arabia frequently use the Business Visit Visa, which is not precisely a work visa.

Qualifications:

Invitation from a company in Saudi Arabia.
The visit’s objective must be business-related.

Important Points:

Expires in 90 days at most.
Does not allow for long-term work.
Ideal for business travelers who have brief professional obligations to attend.

Application Process for Saudi Arabia Work Visas

The Saudi Arabia Work Visa Process 2024 entails several processes and meticulous paperwork preparation. Below is a comprehensive guide that walks you through the process of applying for a Saudi Arabian work visa for 2024.

1. Offer of Employment and Sponsorship

Getting a work offer from a Saudi business is the first stage in the Saudi Arabia Work Visa Process 2024. The employer is in charge of starting the visa application procedure and serves as the sponsor.

Important Steps:

Obtain a formal job offer in writing from a Saudi business.
To hire a foreign worker, the company needs permission from the Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development.

2. Preparing Documentation

Several crucial documents that are needed for the visa application must be gathered and prepared by the applicant. Usually, these consist of:

Valid Passport
Employment Contract
Passport-size Pictures
Police Clearance Certificate
Educational and Professional Certificates
Medical Report

3. Visa Application Submission

The employer submits the visa application for initial processing to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The employment offer and the applicant’s data must be provided by the employer.

Important Steps:

The MOFA portal is used by the employer to electronically submit the visa application.
The necessary paperwork must be included with the application.

4. Visa Approval and Issuance of Visa Authorization

An authorization number for the visa is provided once the MOFA has approved the application. The applicant cannot proceed with the visa stamping process at the Saudi embassy or consulate in their home country without this authorization.

Important Steps:

The employer obtains the number for the Visa Authorization.
Notification is sent to the applicant along with the authorization data.

5. Stamping visas at the Saudi consulate or embassy

To get their visa stamped, applicants must go to the Saudi embassy or consulate that is closest to them. This entails providing the Visa Authorization number and the necessary paperwork.

Essential Records:

Application for a visa (filled out and signed).
A valid passport
Number of Visa Authorization
Certificate of police clearance and medical report
Contract of employment
Passport-sized photos
Receipt of payment for the visa fee

6. Medical Examination

Every applicant for a work visa must undergo a medical examination. A medical establishment authorized by the Saudi embassy or consulate must do this evaluation.

Important Steps:

Take the necessary medical exams.
Get a health certificate attesting to your suitability for employment.

7. Travel to Saudi Arabia

The applicant can enter Saudi Arabia once the visa is stamped and the medical exam is cleared. They have to finish some more paperwork when they get there to confirm their work visa status.

Important Steps:

Obtain a Saudi government-issued Iqama or residency permission.
Fulfill any last-minute administrative tasks that the employer requires.

Post-Arrival Formalities

To guarantee that the work visa is properly activated and the worker is officially registered in Saudi Arabia, several procedures need to be followed after arrival.

1. Getting a residence permit or Iqama.

The Iqama is a crucial certificate that permits foreign workers to live and work in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Interior issues it, and employees are required to carry it with them at all times.

Important Steps:

Apply for an Iqama by going via your employer.
Present your biometric information (photos and fingerprints) at the appointed location.
Acquire the Iqama card, which needs to be renewed every one to two years.

2. Health Insurance

Medical insurance is mandatory for all foreign employees working in Saudi Arabia. Typically, employers include this insurance in the benefits package.

Important Steps:

Verify that the employer offers and activates health insurance.
Acquire a health insurance card.

3. Establishing a Bank Account

It is common for foreign employees to have to open a local bank account to handle their finances, including getting paid.

Important Steps:

Select a nearby bank and present the necessary paperwork (work contract, Iqama, and passport).
Get the bank account data after completing the account opening process.

Conclusion

In 2024, obtaining a work visa for Saudi Arabia would necessitate meticulous planning and adherence to particular regulations. Foreign nationals can effectively navigate the procedure by being aware of the many work visa options and adhering to the comprehensive application process.

The first stage is to obtain a job offer and sponsorship from a Saudi company. Then comes paperwork, medical testing, and post-arrival procedures. Working in Saudi Arabia can be fulfilling and enlightening if you have the proper attitude.