If your company is sending employees to Saudi Arabia — Fragomen is here to help. Working closely with our Local Advisors in Saudi Arabia, we provide the immigration strategies and support you need to get your employees on the ground as quickly as possible. If you have any questions, please click here to contact us.
Because of a highly sophisticated quota system and naturalization program, the process of employing a foreign national in Saudi Arabia is relatively complicated and restrictive. Applicable procedures involve a home-country consular process, followed by several post-arrival steps before final residency rights are granted. Business travelers typically apply for a commercial visit visa with a Saudi consular post once they receive a government-approved letter of invitation from a sponsor in Saudi Arabia. Commercial visit visas are usually valid for 90 or 180 days and the allowable duration of stay for multiple entry visas is usually 30 days. For short-term work, a work visit visa is generally issued with a validity of 90 or 180 days and allows for a stay of up to 30 days. For long-term work, a Work Permit and Resident ID Card are valid for up to one year, with the possibility of extensions. The Resident ID card is issued with a validity of five years, but becomes invalid if the work authorization is not extended.
Note that there are restrictions on employing women and on women traveling for business.
Detailed Immigration Snapshots, Document Lists and Process Guides are available to clients on request.