KSA

To move to and work in Saudi Arabia as an expat, you need to apply for a work visa. There are two types of work visas:

• employment visas
• business visas

Employment Visa

Any person aged between 18 and 60 years, physically fit and possessing professional and academic qualifications required by the Kingdom (provided there is a shortage of citizens holding such qualifications), or belonging to those categories of workers needed by the Kingdom, can be employed in Saudi Arabia. 

The employment visa requires a sponsor in Saudi Arabia. The sponsoring company is responsible for filing the application, while the employee is responsible for supplying the required documents.

Documents required

To apply for a work visa, applicants must submit:

• original passport valid for no less than 6 months, with at least 2 successive empty visa pages
• digital power of attorney from the Saudi employer generated by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• a visa referral note indicating the number and date of the visa issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs or either of its branches in Jeddah or Dammam
• original letter from the Saudi company sponsoring the applicant, certified by both the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• a copy of the employment contract, signed by the sponsor and the applicant and certified by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• a certified and notarized copy of the applicant’s university degree/diploma, which the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission must authenticate  
• a medical report in three copies, along with all lab results, and 3 passport-size colored photographs on white background
• police report, issued within 6 months before the date of application, with detailed information about the applicant’s criminal record, if any