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Saudi Arabia – Work Permits and Working Legally

Working Legally in Saudi Arabia

It is necessary for expats to obtain a work permit to work legally in Saudi Arabia. The application for the work permit must be made by the employer on behalf of the expat. There are no exemptions to this requirement

Types of Work Permits for Expats in Saudi Arabia

There are two main types of work permits for expats in Saudi Arabia:

  1. Iqama

The Iqama is the most common type of work permit in Saudi Arabia. It is a residency permit that is required for all expats who wish to work in the country. The Iqama is linked to the expat’s sponsor (employer), and the sponsor is responsible for renewing the Iqama

Eligibility: To be eligible for an Iqama, the expat must have a valid employment contract with a Saudi Arabian company and must undergo a medical examination.


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  1. Business Visa

The Business Visa is a temporary visa that is issued to expats who are visiting Saudi Arabia for business purposes. It is valid for 90 days and can be extended for an additional 90 days

Eligibility: To be eligible for a Business Visa, the expat must have a valid reason for visiting Saudi Arabia for business purposes and must have a sponsor in the country.

Procedure to apply for a work permit in Saudi Arabi

The procedure for obtaining a work permit in Saudi Arabia is as follows:

  1. The expat’s sponsor (employer) submits a request for a work permit to the Ministry of Labor and Social Development
  2. The Ministry of Labor and Social Development reviews the request and determines whether the expat is eligible for a work permit
  3. If the expat is eligible, the Ministry of Labor and Social Development will issue a work permit to the sponsor
  4. The sponsor will then submit the work permit to the expat

The entire process typically takes 2-3 months

Documents Required to Apply for a Work Permit in Saudi Arabia

The following documents are required to apply for a work permit in Saudi Arabia:

  • A valid passport
  • A medical certificate
  • A police clearance certificate
  • An employment contract
  • A copy of the sponsor’s identification card

Costs Involved in Applying for a Work Permit in Saudi Arabia

The cost of obtaining a work permit in Saudi Arabia is as follows:

  • A fee for the processing of the work permit application (approximately 2,000 SAR)
  • A fee for the medical examination (approximately 500 SAR)
  • A fee for the police clearance certificate (approximately 500 SAR)

Reliable Information on Working Legally in Saudi Arabia

For reliable information on working legally in Saudi Arabia, expats can visit the following websites:

  • Ministry of Labor and Social Development (https://mol.gov.sa/), the official website of the Ministry of Labor and Social Development in Saudi Arabia
  • Saudi Arabian Embassy (https://www.saudiembassy.net/), the official website of the Saudi Arabian Embassy in the United States
  • Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (https://www.sagia.gov.sa/), the official website of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority.


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