Navigating the Hiring Process in Saudi Arabia

Nationals within the country. For instance, the National Transformation Plan, a crucial component of Vision 2030, targets creating 1.2 million private sector jobs for Saudi citizens in the Kingdom by 2020.


As of 2018, Saudi Arabia boasted a population of 33.4 million, with approximately 10 million foreign workers. To work in Saudi Arabia as a foreign employee, sponsorship by a Saudi company, individual, or a foreign entity legally registered to operate in the country is essential. The sponsoring entity must demonstrate that no Saudi national is suitable for creating the expatriate worker, and a work visa must be obtained.


Upon approval of the work visa, the Saudi sponsor must proceed to secure an iqama, which serves as both a work permit and a residency card.


The Process of Enabling an Expat Employee to Work in Saudi Arabia:

The journey begins with the acquisition of a work visa, which is issued through the Ministry of Labor and Social Development Issues (MLSD) but granted by the Saudi Embassy in the applicant's home country. It's important to note that a work visa application can only be initiated if a Saudi employer sponsors the applicant.

To obtain a Saudi work visa, the following documents and prerequisites must be met:

  1. A Valid Passport: The passport must be valid for at least six months, contain at least two consecutive blank pages, and be free from damage or alteration.
  2. Color Photographs: Two recent passport-type photos (2" x 2") on high-quality photo paper, with a white background, no smiling, eyeglasses, or non-religious headgear, and no affixing to the application.
  3. A Cover Letter: A business cover letter on company letterhead with a US mailing address from the hiring US-based company.
  4. A Work Contract in Arabic: A copy of the work contract in Arabic.
  5. A Visa Application: The visa application form must be completed in block letters using black ink.
  6. An Invitation Letter: An original invitation issued by the KSA Foreign Ministry, addressed to the Saudi Embassy in Washington DC, specifying the applicant's employer details and the number of entries requested.
  7. Certificate of Business Registration: A copy of the sponsoring Saudi company's business registration with approval stamps from the KSA Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  8. Enjaz Registration: Completion of the Enjaz registration, an online form, and the visa application.
  9. Signed Saudi Laws and Regulations Form: Submit a signed form indicating compliance with Saudi laws and regulations.

Saudi Arabia's visa application process is intricate, and additional documents may be necessary. Nevertheless, these essential steps are prerequisites for expatriates seeking employment in Saudi Arabia.


Upon receiving the work visa, the individual can travel to Saudi Arabia and commence work for their employing company. Upon arrival in the Kingdom, the employer has a 90-day window to initiate and complete the iqama application process, including the associated costs, on behalf of the employee.