Visa Saudi Arabia Work Permit Iqama Requirements 2026 Process
Securing employment authorization in the Kingdom requires understanding the precise procedural framework managed through official digital systems. A foreign national must first secure a Saudi employer willing to sponsor their entry and handle administrative filings through the Qiwa portal. Once you arrive in the country, your sponsor must issue your work permit on Qiwa and finalize your residency identification card, known as an iqama, via Muqeem or Absher Business platforms. The employer is legally responsible for documenting your employment contract on Qiwa and covering all government fees associated with recruitment, work permits, and residence issuance. Getting authorized involves several distinct steps:
Job Offer and Contract: The employer agrees on your specific job title, wage, allowances, and contract duration. This agreement must strictly follow the unified contract form and receive documentation on Qiwa.
Visa Issuance: The employer requests an instant work permit through Qiwa, provided their commercial registration remains valid and they comply with wage protection regulations. Establishments situated in low green or red Nitaqat bands cannot request new entry clearances.
Accreditation: Depending on your specific occupation and country of origin, you might need Human Resources and Social Development verification, which includes a skills examination or qualification check. This verification process typically takes no longer than fifteen days.
Visa Stamping: Your application gets processed through designated Saudi diplomatic missions and accredited service offices abroad, where data enters the Ministry of Foreign Affairs system.
Arrival and Medical: Following entry, you must register fingerprints and a photograph, clear a medical examination at an approved center, and secure mandatory health insurance as prerequisites for residence issuance.
Permits and Iqama: The employer must issue your work permit on Qiwa within ninety days of arrival, subsequently generating your iqama through Muqeem utilizing your border number.