Saudi Work Visa Types and the Employer Guide to Issuing a Worker Visa
Work visa via Qiwa, temporary work visa, and domestic worker visa via Musaned — issuance, fees and timelines, then authorising an external recruitment office on Enjaz.
Last updated: 2 September 2026
Saudi establishments have three routes to bring a worker from abroad: the work (recruitment) visa requested on Qiwa and issued through MOFA, the temporary work visa for seasonal Hajj and Umrah work, and the domestic worker visa that households issue on Musaned. This guide explains how an establishment issues a worker visa on Qiwa, what it costs, how long it takes, and what comes next after issuance.
Saudi Work Visa Types
| Type | Issuer | Who applies | Duration and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work visa (recruitment visa) | Qiwa, then MOFA | Establishments with a CR and Nitaqat medium-green or above | The main route for all industrial, trade and professional occupations. Residence renewable annually. |
| Temporary work visa | Qiwa | Establishments in Hajj and Umrah services | Requested through the Qiwa temporary work visa service for seasonal work in Hajj and Umrah services — up to 4 months during the season, extendable by 90 days. SAR 1,000 per visa. |
| Domestic worker visa | Musaned | Households and individuals | Private driver, cook, guard, childcare assistant. SAR 2,000 issuance fee. Requests reach IMP through a licensed Saudi office. |
Skill-Based Work Permit Classification (since July 2025)
Work permits for expatriates are classified into three tiers on Qiwa, in force since July 2025. An incorrect classification blocks visa issuance, so set the occupation and salary to the right tier before applying.
| Tier | Roles | Requirements | Salary floor |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-skill | Engineers, IT specialists, managers | Degree + 5 years experience + professional accreditation | SAR 15,000+ |
| Skilled | Technicians, supervisors, foremen | Secondary education + 2 years experience | SAR 7,000 - 14,999 |
| Basic | Construction workers, labourers, helpers | Occupational accreditation required, under 60 | SAR 3,000 - 6,999 |
Source: Guidelines for classification of work permits by skill categories — Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (July 2025).
How an Establishment Issues a Worker Visa on Qiwa
Fees for Issuing a Worker Visa
| Item | Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Recruitment visa request on Qiwa | Per the Qiwa service | Confirm the fee in the Qiwa recruitment visas service when applying |
| Visa issuance by MOFA | SAR 2,000 / visa | Paid after approval |
| External office authorisation on Enjaz | About SAR 40 / authorisation | Internal estimate — confirm in the Enjaz authorisation service |
| Iqama after arrival | SAR 650 / year | Via Absher or Muqeem |
| Annual expatriate levy | SAR 9,600 / worker | Paid annually |
All visa fees are borne by the employer and may not be charged to the worker — zero cost to the worker.
How Long a Saudi Work Visa Takes
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Recruitment visa approval on Qiwa | 1-2 weeks |
| Visa issuance by MOFA | 1-2 weeks |
| Visa appears at the external office after authorisation | About 3 working days |
| Pakistan side: selection, medical, stamping, clearance, travel | 21-30 working days |
Typical total from visa request to worker arrival: about 7-11 weeks.
After Issuance: Authorise an External Recruitment Office
No office in Pakistan can act on an issued visa until it is electronically authorised on Enjaz. Authorise Islamic Manpower Promoters (IMP) — OEP licence 0972/RWP, Saudi Embassy Dropbox #011 — and we handle selection, medical, stamping and departure.
Step-by-step guide to authorising an external recruitment office on EnjazEstablishment requirements before requesting the visa
Saudi Work Visa FAQ
Visa issued? Authorise us on Enjaz
Send the visa number; we walk you through the authorisation steps and start selection