Planning to build your career in Saudi Arabia this year? The Kingdom continues to refine its migration policies to support Vision 2030. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the Saudi Arabia Work Visa 2025, from eligibility and document requirements to the newest policy updates and a clear application roadmap.
Overview of Saudi Work Visas
A Saudi work visa—commonly called an Iqama—is your gateway to live and work in the Kingdom. Only a registered Saudi employer can sponsor your visa application. Once approved, you’ll receive a Visa Authorisation Number, apply at your nearest Saudi consulate, and finally secure your work visa stamp.
Key Updates for 2025
- Temporary Work Visa Regulation: Issued 10 Nov 2024 and effective 10 Apr 2025, the new regulation streamlines Temporary Work Visas (TWVs) and seasonal visas, unifying them under a single framework ey.com.
- Block Visa Quota Suspension: As of 4 June 2025, block work visa quotas for 14 countries (including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, etc.) are paused until early July 2025 to manage Hajj-season inflows envoyglobal.com.
Types of Work Visas
- Employment Visa (Iqama): Long-term employment for professionals.
- Temporary Work Visa (TWV): Short-term assignments (3–9 months).
- Seasonal Visa: For agricultural or seasonal projects.
- Domestic Worker Visa: For household staff (drivers, nannies).
Each category has specific criteria—see our Jobs & Careers hub for role-specific guidance.
Eligibility Criteria
- Confirmed Job Offer from a Saudi-registered company.
- Employer Sponsorship: Employer must be registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD).
- Academic & Professional Credentials: Degrees and certificates authenticated by relevant Saudi missions.
- Clean Medical & Police Records: Negative tests for contagious diseases and a police clearance certificate.
Document Requirements
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Valid Passport | Minimum 12 months’ validity after intended entry date. |
| Visa Application Form | Completed online via the Qiwa platform. |
| Educational Certificates | Attested by home-country authorities and Saudi missions. |
| Employment Contract | Signed in Arabic; certified by HRSD. |
| Medical Report | Issued by a licensed physician in trusted center. |
| Police Clearance Certificate | Recent, translated into Arabic if issued in another language. |
| Passport-size Photos | As per Saudi consulate specifications. |
For ease, download our free Visa Document Checklist.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Employer Registration
- Employer registers on the HRSD (formerly MOL) portal and secures a company Qiwa account.
- Quota Allocation & Pre-approval
- Employer applies for a work visa quota (unless suspended for your country).
- Visa Authorisation Number
- Upon HRSD approval, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues your authorisation number.
- Online Application Submission
- Employee uses the authorisation number to apply via the Saudi eVisa portal.
- Document Submission at Embassy
- Submit originals and photocopies of required documents to your local Saudi consulate.
- Visa Issuance & Travel
- Once stamped, travel to Saudi Arabia and complete arrival procedures.
- Iqama Issuance
- Employer finalises your Iqama (residence permit) within 90 days of arrival.