🇸🇦map Saudi Arabia [Residency]

Overview

Saudi Arabia is opening up fast, and it’s much easier to visit and work here than it used to be. The country offers an online tourist eVisa for many nationalities, plus business visit visas and visa-on-arrival options for certain travelers. For longer stays, most expats come on an employer-sponsored work visa that converts to a residence permit (iqama) after arrival. Rules do vary by nationality and purpose, so it’s smart to check the official visa portal and your nearest Saudi embassy site before you book flights.

Entry basics are straightforward: your passport should be valid for at least six months, you’ll need confirmed accommodation and a return/onward ticket for most short stays, and travel medical insurance is typically required (often bundled with the tourist eVisa). Saudi is conservative and alcohol-free, but it’s also modernizing—women travelers are welcome, modest dress is expected in religious sites, and digital payments are common in cities. If you plan to work remotely, note that the tourist eVisa doesn’t authorize employment; you’ll need the correct work or business status.

Tourist and Short-term Visas

For leisure trips, the tourist eVisa is the simplest path. It’s an online application that, for eligible nationalities, issues a multiple-entry visa typically valid for a year, allowing several stays up to around 90 days each. It’s designed for sightseeing, visiting friends, attending events, or short leisure stays. You’ll fill a short form, upload a photo, pay the fee, and receive approval by email—often within minutes to a few days. Travel insurance is included with the application. If your passport isn’t eligible for the eVisa, you can usually apply for a consular tourist visa.

Business visit visas are meant for meetings, site visits, conferences, or short-term training—not for taking up a job. These can be arranged through your host company in Saudi or applied for directly if you’re eligible for eVisa channels. You’ll generally need an invitation letter for business visits, a passport-style photo, proof of travel plans, and accommodation. Extensions for tourist or business visits are limited; if you think you’ll need more time, plan your itinerary accordingly or speak with your sponsor before arrival.

Work Visas and Permits

Working in Saudi Arabia is a sponsor-based process. Typically, your employer secures a work visa authorization in-country, and you complete the visa stamping at a Saudi embassy or visa center before you fly. Once you arrive, your employer finalizes your residence permit (iqama), which is your key to everyday life: banking, mobile service, housing contracts, and travel in and out of the Kingdom. Expect medical checks and biometric registration to be part of the process.

Saudi employers look for relevant degrees, professional certifications, and experience aligned to your job title—your paperwork should match what’s on your contract. Certain professions have additional licensing steps (healthcare, engineering, education), and your documents may need to be attested in your home country. Timelines vary by company and city, but a smooth work visa-to-iqama journey can take several weeks to a few months. Keep digital and paper copies of everything; it speeds up each step.

Long-term Residence

Most expats reside in Saudi on an iqama sponsored by an employer, renewable annually or per contract terms, and many bring their families under dependent visas once their own iqama is issued. Family visas generally require proof of relationship, minimum salary thresholds, and suitable housing. If you plan to relocate with a spouse or children, discuss timing and documentation with your HR team before you move.

For investors, entrepreneurs, and high-skilled professionals, Saudi offers premium residency options that are separate from employer sponsorship. These are administered through a dedicated government center and include categories aimed at investors and founders, with benefits like greater mobility and the ability to self-sponsor. Saudi does not offer a traditional retirement visa program, so retirees usually visit on tourist visas or relocate under family sponsorship if eligible.

Application Process

Start with the official channels: use the national eVisa portal for tourism, and coordinate with your host company or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs system for business and work entries. For tourist eVisas, the steps are simple—create an account, complete the form, upload a photo, pay the fee, and wait for the email visa. Keep the QR or PDF handy for airline check-in. For business and work visas, your Saudi host initiates the invitation or authorization, after which you book a biometrics appointment and submit your passport for visa stamping.

Document checklists depend on visa type but commonly include a passport with enough validity, clear ID photos, proof of accommodation and flights, and insurance. Work routes add a signed employment contract, degree certificates, police clearance, medical tests, and document attestations. You’ll rarely have a formal interview for a tourist visa; for work and business, expect questions to focus on your role and travel purpose. Always monitor your application status through the official portal or your visa center’s tracker.

Costs and Fees

Tourist eVisas carry a combined fee that covers the visa and mandatory travel medical insurance; you pay online by card. Business and work visas have government fees that may be paired with service center charges if you apply through a visa outsourcing partner. For work moves, plan for document attestation costs in your home country, medical exam fees, and courier services.

Once in Saudi, your employer typically covers iqama fees, work permit costs, and health insurance as part of your package, but clarify this before signing. If you’re bringing family, budget for dependent iqama fees, school costs, and private health coverage if it’s not included. Keep receipts—some expenses are reimbursable depending on your contract.

After Arrival

Your first priority is activating your iqama and getting onto the national digital systems. Your HR team will guide you through medical insurance activation, fingerprinting, and residence card collection. Create an Absher account (the government e-services portal) to manage everything from exit/re-entry permits to vehicle registration. A local bank account is straightforward once you have your iqama; bring your passport, iqama, and a letter from your employer if requested.

Saudi does not tax employment income, which is a plus for many expats, though you should check your home country’s rules. Companies handle social insurance registration for Saudi nationals; expats are generally covered for occupational risks. For daily life, mobile eSIMs are easy to set up, rent contracts are registered electronically, and digital payments are widely accepted. Driving requires a Saudi license; some national licenses can be converted—ask your HR team about the latest rules in your city.

Common Issues and Tips

Most delays come from document mismatches—make sure your job title, degree major, and work experience align across your contract, visa application, and attestations. Start police clearances and degree attestations early; they take longer than people expect. If your application is refused, you can usually reapply after correcting the issue; for complex cases, a qualified immigration consultant or your employer’s PRO can help.

Saudi policy has been evolving to welcome more visitors and talent, with an expanding eVisa program and clearer pathways for investors and entrepreneurs. Always rely on the official eVisa portal, your nearest Saudi embassy or consulate, and your employer’s HR department for the latest steps and fees—requirements can change by nationality and profession. For smooth travel, keep soft copies of your visa, insurance, and hotel booking on your phone, and allow extra time at the airport on your first trip while you learn the ropes.

Ahmed
Ahmed is a business development consultant and cultural advisor originally from Dubai, UAE, with over 14 years of experience in Middle Eastern markets and international corporate expansions. Having worked for major multinational corporations and regional conglomerates across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Ahmed has extensive experience facilitating the relocation of international talent to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other key Middle Eastern markets.