Work Visa for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has strict procedures with regards to work visas. Usually expatriates will not have to deal with these as their sponsor/employer usually takes care of the work visa for Saudi Arabia. Due to the ins and outs and strict requirements from the Saudi government, if you agree to a job in Saudi Arabia, you will inevitably wait anywhere from six to eight weeks for your application to be approved.

If you accept a job in Saudi Arabia, your employer will be responsible for handling the paperwork for you however they will send you your employment contract in both Arabic (the official contract) and English (the translation). Along with this you will receive information leaflets on how the visa application works and what you will be required to send to them in order for them to process the request for a work permit. 

See also: Single Women Working in Saudi Arabia

The employment pack from your employer should include the following items:

A form for Visa Application 
Information egarding police clearence requirements
A Medical Report for the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in your country.
The Embassy Authorization Memo
Statement of Religion Form

Your passport should be valid for more than six months, have two blank pages and be signed at the back. If it does not meet any of the requirements your visa will not be granted. Apply for a new passport to avoid waiting. Furthermore if you have any Isreali stamps in your passport you will not be granted a Saudi work visa.

Secondly go to your doctor with your Medical Report form. The doctor should carry out all the necessary tests and complete the form, which has to be verified by the College of Physicians and Surgeons or by the equivalent authorizing body in your region. 

You will have to send all your original certificates to your new employer for verification. We suggest that you make colour photcopies of the documents and have them verified and atteseted and keep the copies safe. If you have lost any of the certificates than you will need an official letter along with the original certificate that states all your details.

Documents enclosed should include:

Results of mandatory medical tests and if any of them are not ready confirm you will fax and post them on at a later date.
The stamped Medical Report completed by your doctor and stamped by the Physician and Surgeons in your region or whatever is their equivalent.
The Employment contract which you will have signed
The signed Saudi Arabia Embassy Authorization note
A name change document if required
Your Passport
A completed visa application form and if you have opted to convert to Islam the conversion certificate.
Six color passport photographs
A Police Clearance Certificate dated within three months of the current date.
A letter of No Objection, you will also require a letter of release if you have ever worked somewhere else in Saudi Arabia.
After this provided everything is in order it will normally then take approximately ten days for your visa to be issued.

Once your visa is ready your passport will be returned to you with the visa stamped inside. Your original documents will also be returned to you along with your ticket and you will be able to travel as soon as you possible can.

If you are seriously considering a job in Saudi Arabia it is always good to check the latest work permit requirements at the Saudi Embassy or Consulate in your city.