Saudi Arabia situated in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, is one of the most popular choices amongst Indian professionals looking for well-paid, tax-free jobs.
The booming economy of this nation and mega projects such as Vision 2030 make Saudi Arabia an excellent hub for various growth opportunities in sectors like engineering, healthcare, and technology, to name a few. It also provides world-class healthcare and educational facilities which contributes to the quality of life in Saudi Arabia.
However, to work in Saudi Arabia, you are required to secure a Saudi work visa. In this blog, we have compiled everything you need to know regarding Saudi Arabia work visa, from the different kinds available to how to apply and more to help you navigate the process easily. Let’s jump right in!
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What is a Saudi Work Visa?
As the name suggests, a work visa is required if the candidate wishes to be employed in Saudi Arabia. Any Indian candidate who wishes to apply for a Saudi work visa needs to meet a set of criteria as specified by the concerned authorities of the country.
Some aspects of the eligibility criteria include being sponsored by the company offering employment, having a valid employment contract, invitation letter, medical screening, and educational certificates, among other requirements for a Saudi work visa.
Who Needs a Saudi Work Visa?
The Saudi work visa is primarily needed for securing employment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, it plays an important role in various other scenarios helping out the candidates. Some of the reasons why you may need a Saudi work visa are as follows;
- Long-term Stay in the Country – An employment visa grants a candidate the right to stay in Saudi Arabia for the entire duration of their employment contract. This duration is easily renewable depending on the needs of the employer.
- Easy Access to Benefits – Saudi work visa recipients will be recipients of benefits such as health insurance, accommodation, and other benefits that most employers offer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Dependent Visas – A Saudi work visa holder is allowed to bring their family members to reside with them within the Kingdom using a dependent visa. It is comparatively easy to attain a dependent visa for well-established candidates in Saudi Arabia.
- Legal Employment – A Saudi work visa opens up the window of legal employment in Saudi Arabia for the applicant, meaning a legal employee is fully compliant with all Saudi labour laws and regulations.
- Security and Stability – A valid work visa ensures job security and legal protection if a situation arises concerning disputes or contract issues.
Types of Work Visa in Saudi Arabia?
There are many types of visas issued by the concerned authorities in Saudi Arabia such as tourist visas, business visas, Hajj and Umrah visas, Work visas, dependant visas and so on. However, in this context, we will discuss only the various types of Saudi Work visas.
- Temporary Work Visa – As the name suggests, it is issued for a short duration allowing the candidates to live and work in Saudi Arabia temporarily. This visa allows the individual to live and work in Saudi Arabia for up to 90 days with a single entry which in turn can be extended for another 90 days, provided the candidates keep meeting the eligibility criteria.
- Permanent Work Visa – Also popularly known as the Employment Visa, it allows expats with valid employment contracts to work full-time and reside in Saudi Arabia enjoying all the benefits that any other citizen would be entitled to.
- Seasonal Work Visa – A seasonal work visa in Saudi Arabia allows foreign workers to be temporarily employed for specific seasonal events or to complete time-sensitive projects, such as those in agriculture, tourism, and other industries.
Eligibility Criteria of Saudi Work Visa for Indians
Indian citizens need to meet certain requirements to be eligible for a Saudi Arabia work visa. The requirements are as such;
- Your passport must have six months’ validity from the date of travel and two empty pages at least.
- You must be sponsored by a registered and MOFA-certified Saudi company or organization that has offered you employment.
- You will need an invitation letter from the Saudi organization. This invitation letter should be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia and should be written in Arabic.
- Your purpose for visiting should be to engage in the work specified. You cannot switch jobs, you cannot do any other work as your focus should be on the job for which you were issued a visa
- You must have a clean record in terms of criminal activity.
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Documents Required for a Saudi Work Visa for Indians
Candidates need to submit certain documents while applying for a Saudi work visa. The absence of these documents can lead to complications, delays, and even visa rejections.
Listed below are the documents compulsorily required for Saudi Arabia work visa for Indians;
- A valid passport for the entire duration of stay with a minimum of two blank pages for the visa stamps.
- Colour photographs size to that of the passport
- A receipt for online payment of the visa fee made on the Enjazit website.
- Completed visa application form.
- Three signed medical report copies from the licensed physician stating that you are free from contagious diseases.
- An employment letter from the sponsoring company in Saudi Arabia with a signed contract. Both the employment letter and the contract shall be legalised by both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.
- A business cover letter from your company must fit the needs of the Consulate office.
- A certified copy of your university degree, diploma, etc validated by the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission
- Copy of registration of the Saudi Company, in Arabic.
- Police report indicating no criminal record.
- Mandatory Insurance
- Proof of working experience, if needed.
The documents needed may vary based on the nature of the visa, employment contract, and the type of job. However, in general, the following documents will be required in the majority of cases.
Steps to Apply for a Saudi Arabia Work Visa
The process of acquiring a Saudi Work Visa for Indian citizens is a bit different from any other type of visa. The process must begin with the employer applying for a work visa on your behalf.
Here are the necessary steps to obtain a visa and residency permit in Saudi Arabia for candidates with valid employment contracts;
- Applying for a work visa – The Saudi Arabian employer must start the visa application process on the candidate’s behalf with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior.
- Obtain the Visa Authorisation Number – Once the employer starts the procedure, the Ministry then prepares an immigration file for all the employer’s expat employees. The employer will then apply for a work visa with the Labour Ministry. Upon approval, it will notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that in turn shall issue within two weeks a Visa Authorisation Number.
- Submitting the Visa Application – Candidates need to submit an employment visa application of their own to the relevant Saudi Arabian Embassy. All the aforementioned documents must also be attached to the application without fail.
- Visa Issuance – Wait for the ministry to authorise the Saudi work visa application. Once authenticated, the Embassy will issue a visa to the applicant within 1-3 weeks.
- Apply for a Residence Permit – In Saudi Arabia, candidates must have a residence permit also known as an Iqama. Candidates can apply for an Iqama through the Ministry of Labour. The approved application will be sent to the Ministry of Interior, which will issue the iqama through the Directorate General for Passports.
Note: Employees must carry their iqama at all times to prove that they are legally allowed to live and work in Saudi Arabia.
Is Documents Attestation Required for Saudi Work Visa
Yes, a document attestation is one of the essential procedures to get a work visa in Saudi.
A step in the Saudi work visa application process is to submit a visa application once a visa authorisation number is generated. Along with that application the candidates need to attach certain documents.
The educational, personal and commercial (if applicable) documents must be attested and apostilled by the concerned authorities making them eligible for use in Saudi Arabia.
For Educational Documents such as degrees, diplomas and mark sheets the following steps need to be followed;
- Notary Public (India)
- State HRD attestation
- Apostille by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India
- Apostille from the Saudi Embassy or Consulate in India
Police Clearance Certificates issued by the local police station must be apostilled by the concerned authorities to them eligible for use in Saudi Arabia. As it falls under the personal document category, the following steps are followed for its apostille attestation;
- Notary Public (India)
- State Home Department Attestation
- Apostille by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India
- Apostille from the Saudi Embassy or Consulate in India
For all your apostille needs regarding the Saudi work visa application, you can head to Superb Enterprises – An MEA-authorised agency with well over a decade of experience in the field.
Medical Test Requirements for Saudi Arabia Work Visa
A Saudi work visa candidate needs to undergo several medical tests to rule out the presence of infectious and communicable diseases. Generally, the following tests combined form the Saudi work visa medical test requirements;
- General Medical Examinations – A basic general check-up including height, weight, and blood pressure.
- Blood Test – It is to rule out HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B & C, Syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases. A blood test also proves useful for a complete blood count and overall health status.
- Urine and Stool Analysis – Samples of urine and stool may be tested to confirm whether there are infections or diseases.
- Chest X-ray – This is to rule out the presence of Tuberculosis.
- Vaccination Status – Vaccination status will include polio, Meningitis, and other vaccinations.
- Other Tests – Depending on your line of work, you can expect extra tests such as drug screening or special evaluations.
Any report received must be from government-approved medical centres, and the results should be attested by the rules and regulations of the Saudi consulate.
Saudi Work Visa Processing Time
The Saudi work visa is generally processed faster than other types of visas. However, it may take anywhere between 3 weeks to months depending on the variables of every individual case.
The visa processing time may increase due to factors such as – increased workload on the issuing authority, time taken for document verification, and multiple entry visas also take longer time to process.
How to Check Saudi Work Visa Status
One can look up the status of a Saudi work visa online through the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website as follows:
Visit the MOFA Website – Open your browser and go to the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia.
Go to Visa Application Tab – After clicking on the page, you need to find the “Visa Application” tab. Typically, this tab can be found in the main navigation menu.
Fill in Information – In the provided fields, you are supposed to enter your passport and visa application number. Make sure to enter the correct information so that you get the right status.
Complete the Captcha Verification – Enter the captcha as seen on the screen to initiate the search process.
Click Search – You can click “Search” to initiate the process of retrieving your visa application status.
Validity Period of Saudi Work Visa
The validity of your Saudi work visa will most likely vary depending on visa type. For example;
Temporary Work Visa—This type is valid for entering and working in Saudi Arabia for 90 days, which can typically be extended for another 90 days, totalling 180 days (6 months).
Seasonal Work Visa – Issued to workers during specific seasons of events, these types of visas are typically valid for 3-6 months.
Permanent Work Visa – It is the most sought-after visa usually issued to employees who have secured a long-term employment contract from Saudi Employers. It is generally valid for the duration of the employment contract which can be extended if all parties agree and the candidate continues to meet the required specifications.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a Saudi Work Visa
Avoid Insufficient Documentation – Make sure to have all the required documents ready including an employment contract, passport, medical reports, and the application form for the visa. Also, ensure the documents are presented correctly and up-to-date in all regards.
Missing Attestations – Obtain correct attestation of your educational and personal documents before you present them to the concerned authorities.
Stay clear of Unverified agencies – A good and trustworthy agency will help ensure that your application will not be declined or delayed.
Passport problems – Your passport should have at least six months’ validity for travel plus some empty pages for the visa stamp.
Incomplete Medical Test Requirements – Carry out the compulsory medical test and provide factual reports of medical tests to avoid delays.
Incorrect Application Information – Scrutinise and cross-check all the information on the application form to avoid mistakes that may lead to rejection.
Failure to Send Follow-Ups – Monitor your application status on the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website often to avoid any hiccups.
Avoiding these mistakes when applying for a Saudi work visa will ensure quick and hassle-free issuance of the visa.
Rights and Obligations of the Saudi Work Visa Holder
There are some rights and responsibilities that need to be fulfilled by a visa holder. Here’s is a comprehensive breakdown of rights and obligations attached to having a Saudi work visa:
Rights:
1. Legal Employment – Visa holders have the right to work legally with their employer mentioned on the visa.
2. Wages – The workers will be paid wages agreed on the employment contract regarding the Saudi labour laws.
3. Safe Working Environment – There should be a safe and healthy environment in which employees work.
4. Annual Leaves – Saudi work visa holders are entitled to paid annual leaves and sick leaves according to Saudi labour laws.
5. End-Service Benefits – The workers become eligible for end-service benefits after expiring a contract with the employer.
6. Health Insurance – The employer is responsible for sponsoring health coverage, which will accommodate all medical costs.
7. Exit – Workers are allowed to leave Saudi on a temporary or permanent basis, though they may require an exit/re-entry visa.
8. Protection Against Discrimination: The workers shall not be discriminated against on account of race, religion, or nationality.
Obligations:
1. Work only for the Sponsoring Employer – The work visa holder must serve only the employer who sponsors his visa unless otherwise transferred officially.
2. Adherence to Saudi Labour Legislation – The employee will conform to Saudi labour law and shall respect the employment contract in its stipulations.
3. Respect the culture and traditions – Workers are obligated to be respectful of the local culture and of the laws of the country, whether inside or outside the workplace
4. Obtain an Iqama from the relevant authorities immediately upon arrival and renew it when due to lapse.
5. Prohibition on engagement into any other employment – A visa holder should not engage in any other employment with or without transfer of sponsorship.
6. Change of Address Notifications – Employees are expected to inform the concerned department of any change of residence of their current residential address.
Balancing the rights and responsibilities creates a harmonious working experience for the expatriate working in Saudi Arabia.
Job Restrictions or Limitations
There are certain job restrictions for Saudi work visa holders such as they are only supposed to engage in work for which they were issued a visa. The visa holders must also work only for the employer that has sponsored them for the work visa.
Visa holders are not allowed to engage in any freelance work or extra jobs not even within the same profession. This could earn one penalty and even deportation.
Work Visa Exit/Re-Entry Procedures
Visa holders have to get an exit/re-entry visa in case they leave the country and return to Saudi Arabia within the tenure of employment. Leaving the country without an exit/re-entry visa may lead to major issues in re-entry.
How to obtain a Saudi Exit/Re-Entry Visa;
- Employer Approval – Your employer needs to approve and apply for the visa through Absher or Muqeem online portals.
- Valid Iqama – Your residence permit or Iqama should be valid to exit and re-enter the country.
- Types of Visas – Choose the correct visa type depending on your needs. A single Exit/Re-Entry Visa is good for a single visit and a Multiple Exit/Re-Entry Visa is best suited for multiple visits.
- Fees – Based on the type of visa, there is an applicable fee that you need to pay.
- Return on Time – You must return before the visa expires. Overstaying can bring penalties as well as result in a re-entry ban.
Penalties for Overstaying or Violations
The punishment for overstaying on a Saudi work visa is a fine of 10,000 SR and immediate deportation from the kingdom. However, this applies only to first-time offenders, if you do it again the fine amount will increase and a prison sentence may also be added. It is highly recommended to not stay in Saudi Arabia beyond the date of visa expiration.
Common Reasons for Saudi Work Visa Rejection
There are multiple reasons why a Saudi work visa application may be rejected. Some of the common reasons are listed below so you can avoid them while applying;
- Incomplete application
- Passport issues
- Insufficient funds
- Criminal History
- Health issues
- Inadequate Supporting Documents
- Previous visa violations
- Security concerns
- Inconsistent employment information
There may as well be other reasons for visa rejection which could be case-specific. So be sure to keep all the documents ready and constantly check up on the requirements to ensure you are not missing anything important.
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Things to Remember
For a comfortable and hassle-free stay during your employment period in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, please remember the following points;
- Kindly note the validity and expiry date of the visa. You must not stay back beyond the Saudi work visit visa validity.
- Carry a copy of your passport and visa with you while you are in the country.
- You must not work for any other organizations or companies other than your sponsor while you are on this visa.
- While you are in Saudi Arabia, you must abide by the Islamic rules and regulations followed in the country.
- Ensure proper documentation for exit and re-entry into the country. Failure to do so will complicate your return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a 90-day work visa for Saudi Arabia?
Indeed, Saudi Arabia provides the option of a 90-day work visa for eligible foreign nationals, who wish to be able to stay and work there. Technically, this is a visit visa which allows the holder to stay up to 90 days in Saudi Arabia. During this time, he or she can apply for a residence permit allowing them the right to live and work in Saudi Arabia, for up to one year. It can be further extended as long as they remain employed in the same job.
How much money is required for a Saudi work visa?
The cost of a Saudi work visa application is approximately 220.9 USD which roughly converts to 18,500 INR. This is an approximate amount, please get in touch with the experts for an exact figure.
What is the work visa age limit in Saudi Arabia?
To obtain a Saudi Arabia working visa, the applicant must be between the ages of 18 and 60. However, age is not the only factor. The person must be fit and must possess all the required professional skills and certifications.
Can I apply for a Saudi Arabian work visa without a job offer?
Unfortunately, no. The work visa is only issued to individuals who have secure employment with a registered organisation in Saudi Arabia.
How long does it take to process a Saudi work visa?
The work visa is generally processed quicker than other forms of visas. It may take anywhere from 3 weeks to 2 months, depending on the variables involved in the scenario.
Can I bring my family with me on a Saudi work visa?
If you are a Saudi work visa holder with a valid residence permit (Iqama) then you can apply for a family visa to bring over your family. A work visa is meant only for the employee.