If your company is planning to grow in Saudi Arabia, you’ll need a talented team of employees. It is important to know how to get work visas and residency permits for any employees who will be making the move with you, whether you’re planning to relocate existing team members or recruit new employees internationally.

Anyone who wishes to enter Saudi Arabia will require a visa, with the exception of citizens of countries that are members of The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. These members are the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait.

There are several types of visas  available in Saudi Arabia, among them the most common include:

This guide will focus on employment visas, as these are necessary for any employees staying in Saudi Arabia long term.

To obtain a visa, employees must have a sponsor in Saudi Arabia. The sponsoring employer is responsible for most of the application process, but the prospective employee will need to supply all the necessary documents.

In 2021, Saudi Arabia introduced the Professional Verification Scheme, which requires that foreign nationals working in 23 technical fields must pass an exam to prove their qualifications before receiving a visa. Currently, this applies to Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi nationals. In March 2023, Saudi Arabia announced that the program will expand to include Sri Lankan nationals. This program is likely to continue expanding to other nationalities in the future.

Employers in Saudi Arabia will need to pay for the expenses related to this program for each applicant.

The following are just some of the documents required to obtain an employment visa:

The employer must begin the work visa application process. Here are the necessary steps to obtain a visa and residency permit in Saudi Arabia:

Employees must carry their iqama at all times to prove that they are legally allowed to live and work in Saudi Arabia.

If employees want to travel in and out of Saudi Arabia during the duration of their employment, they need to apply for an Exit/Re-Entry Permit through the Ministry of Interior. This permit is generally issued within 1 week.

Employees need to be aware that the authorities in Saudi Arabia have rules that need to be followed at all times. Inappropriate behavior may result in denial of entry into the country or deportation. Additionally, Islam is the only religion that may be celebrated publicly in Saudi Arabia.

If any employees plan to bring spouses or children to Saudi Arabia, they will need to obtain family visit visas.

At G-P, we’re committed to breaking down barriers to global business, enabling opportunity for everyone, everywhere, and helping companies tap into the fullest potential of their workforce. We help you maintain full compliance with local laws and ensure everything from hiring and onboarding to paying employees is quick and easy, regardless of where they are in the world.

Find out more about how our Global Growth Platform™ can help you grow your team across the globe.