Saudi Arabia Work Visa 2026: Apply, Check Status, Fees
A Saudi work visa starts with your employer. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) must approve the visa under the employer's name, and the request is then completed online on the KSA Visa Platform run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). Saudi labour law makes the employer pay the recruitment, residence permit and work permit fees. This guide covers the online steps, how to check your visa status, the skill levels and age rule, and the extra steps and fees for Pakistani workers, as published by MOFA, HRSD and Pakistan's Bureau of Emigration and read on 14 October 2026.
Quick answer
Your employer gets the visa approved by HRSD. The request is filed on the KSA Visa Platform with your passport details and documents, followed by professional accreditation, a medical examination and biometric fingerprinting, and MOFA approval. MOFA lists a service cost of 79 SAR. Under Article 40 of the Labor Law, the employer bears recruitment, iqama and work permit fees. You can check your visa status online with your request number or passport number. Pakistani workers also register with the Protector of Emigrants: Rs. 9200 in government fees for direct employment.
How the Saudi work visa works
MOFA describes the permanent work visa as being for employees with long-term work contracts in Saudi Arabia. Its service page, last modified on 28/09/2026, sets three conditions:
- The visa request must be approved by the Ministry of Human Resources under the employer's name.
- Health and professional requirements must be met.
- The prescribed fees must be paid.
The documents are a valid passport, an employment contract when required, and an approved medical report with a personal photo.
Saudi Arabia work visa: online application steps
- Access the KSA Visa Platform and select Visitor Services, then Work Visa Request.
- Log in and enter the applicant's details exactly as shown in the passport.
- Enter the document number and select the correct occupation.
- Attach the required documents, review the data and submit the request electronically.
- Keep the request number to track the status.
- Begin the professional accreditation stage.
- Complete the medical examination and biometric fingerprinting.
- Await approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
MOFA lists the service duration as 1 Business day and the service cost as 79 SAR.
How to check your Saudi work visa online
- Access the KSA Visa Platform and select the Request Status Inquiry service.
- Choose the type of request from the list.
- Enter the request number and the image code, then click Inquire.
MOFA says the result appears immediately. You need the request number or the passport number, and the request must be registered in the system.
After you arrive: work permit and iqama
- Work permit: the employer must issue your work permit within the first 90 days after you enter Saudi Arabia, through Qiwa. HRSD lists a service fee of 100 SR, paid through Sadad.
- Residency: HRSD says the work permit is one of the conditions for issuing or renewing regular residency.
- Who pays: Article 40 makes the employer bear the fees for recruiting non-Saudi workers, for issuing and renewing the iqama and the work permit, change of profession, exit and re-entry visas, and the return ticket at the end of the contract.
- Transfers: the new employer bears the fees when a worker transfers his or her services.
Skill levels and the age limit
HRSD's guidelines, updated on 28 May 2025, classify every work permit as High-Skilled, Skilled or Basic, based on the profession, qualifications, experience, professional accreditation, wage and age. For workers entering the Kingdom for the first time, the classification applies from August 3, 2025.
| Level | Main conditions |
|---|---|
| High-Skilled | Occupational groups 1 to 3, a wage at or above the Ministry's threshold for the activity, professional accreditation, and passing a points-based system on qualifications, experience and wage |
| Skilled | Occupational groups 4 to 8, a wage at or above the Skilled threshold, and professional accreditation |
| Basic | Occupational group 9, accreditation where the profession needs it, and an age that must not exceed 60 years |
So the only fixed age limit in these guidelines is the 60-year ceiling for Basic-level permits. For other levels, the guidelines refer to the age group specified for each profession.
Saudi Arabia work visa for Pakistani workers
Pakistani workers follow the same Saudi process, and in addition register for emigrant protection with Pakistan's Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment before leaving.
| Route | Government fees listed by the Bureau |
|---|---|
| Direct employment | Welfare Fund (OPF) Rs. 4000, insurance premium Rs. 2500, registration fee Rs. 2500, OEC fee Rs. 200: total Rs. 9200 |
| Through an Overseas Employment Promoter (OEP) | OEP service charges Rs. 15000 (Rs. 6,000 for processing cases), Welfare Fund Rs. 4000, insurance Rs. 2500, registration Rs. 500, OEC Rs. 200: total Rs. 22,200 |
The Bureau also posted a circular on raising the insurance premium rate in June 2023, without the new amount on its page, so confirm the premium at your Protectorate of Emigrants office. For direct registration, you bring the visa, a valid passport, your CNIC, the employment contract signed by the employer, the fee receipts, a State Life insurance certificate, a police character certificate where required, and a medical fitness report from an approved medical centre. After checking the documents, the office registers you, pastes a Protector sticker in your passport, and the Protector of Emigrants signs it.
Saudi Arabia work visa for US citizens
US citizens use the same employer-sponsored route. A tourist visa is not a shortcut: MOFA states that the purpose of a tourist visa must be tourism and not work.
For family, housing and the move itself, see our moving to Saudi Arabia guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a Saudi work visa online?
Your employer gets HRSD approval, then the request is filed on the KSA Visa Platform under Visitor Services, Work Visa Request, followed by accreditation, medical checks and biometrics.
How can I check my Saudi work visa online?
Use the Request Status Inquiry service on the KSA Visa Platform with your request number or passport number and the image code. The result appears immediately.
Who pays the Saudi work visa fee?
Under Article 40 of the Labor Law, the employer bears recruitment fees and the fees for issuing the iqama and work permit.
What is the Saudi work visa fee for Pakistan?
Pakistan's Bureau of Emigration lists Rs. 9200 in government fees for direct employment and Rs. 22,200 through an Overseas Employment Promoter.
Is there an age limit for a Saudi work visa?
HRSD's guidelines set a ceiling of 60 years for Basic-level work permits. Other levels follow the age group set for each profession.
Can I work in Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa?
No. MOFA states that the purpose of a tourist visa must be tourism and not work.
When must my employer issue my work permit?
Within the first 90 days after you enter Saudi Arabia, according to HRSD.
Official sources
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Permanent work visa
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Enquire about requests and visas
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Tourist visa
- HRSD — Fees and costs borne by the employer (Article 40)
- HRSD — Issue and renew work licence
- HRSD — Guidelines for classification of work permits by skill categories
- Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (Pakistan) — Emigrant fee structure
- Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (Pakistan) — How to get emigrant's protection
All steps, fees and rules verified against the official sources above on 14 October 2026. Information, not legal advice.