If you’re a manager, specialist, technician, or in a trade, your role fits under the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations. High-skilled jobs often need advanced degrees and higher salaries, while regular skilled positions focus on proven hands-on abilities. Your employer has to stay within Saudization limits set by the Nitaqat program.
Documents You’ll Need
Gather a passport valid for at least six months, medical test results, a clean police record, certified education papers, and your job contract. Everything must be officially stamped and, if needed, translated into Arabic.
Quick Look at the Steps
Your employer kicks things off by getting visa approval from the Ministry of Human Resources, then handles authorization through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You get the visa stamped at a Saudi embassy, and once in the country, you finalize your residency card (Iqama). Stick to the official portals to keep things moving smoothly.
Saudi Arabia keeps updating its rules to draw in experienced workers as part of Vision 2030 goals. By November 2025, the country uses a clear skill-based setup for work permits that makes it easier to match foreign pros with key jobs in areas like tech, health care, and building projects.
Breaking Down the Skill-Based Work Permit System
Back in June 2025, Ministerial Resolution No. (4602) rolled out a system that puts every foreign worker’s permit into one of three buckets: high-skilled, skilled, or basic. The Qiwa platform handles the sorting automatically for everyone, whether you’re already working there or just arriving.
It follows the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations, which splits jobs into nine broad groups, and scores you on education, years of experience, specific skills, monthly pay, and age.
For high-skilled spots—think managers, experts, or technicians in the first three groups—you generally need a strong degree, solid track record, and a salary that starts around SAR 15,000 or more, depending on the field. Skilled categories cover office staff, service roles, craftspeople, and operators; here, you prove abilities with tests if required, and pay levels differ by industry. The basic level has stricter age caps and simpler checks.
Also Read: Canada Work Permit Process November 2025: Step-by-Step Process for Foreign Workers
The rollout happened in stages: existing workers got classified in early July, and new hires started in August. Companies can fix any mismatch on Qiwa if you meet the rules, which keeps the process fair and focused on real value to the economy.
Basic Requirements to Qualify
Your Saudi employer has to be in good standing—active business license, up-to-date on Nitaqat Saudization percentages based on their size and sector. They also need to show the job truly requires someone from outside the local pool.
Here’s what counts toward approval:
- Your occupation lines up with skilled or high-skilled codes in the official list.
- Salary meets the minimum for your job type and company activity.
- Proof of accreditation: degree checks for top-tier roles or practical skill tests for others.
- Clean background and health clearance.
- Age fits within limits, though skilled pros face fewer restrictions.
Check the full occupation guide on the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development site for exact matches to your field.
Gathering and Preparing Your Paperwork
Getting documents right avoids the biggest delays. Start with originals, get them notarized where required, and have Arabic translations ready for non-English items.
Must-have items include:
- Passport with six months left and blank pages.
- Filled-out application via the Enjazit system.
- Official visa approval letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Signed contract detailing your position, pay, and benefits.
- Verified diplomas or certificates.
- Health report from a recognized clinic back home.
- Police certificate showing no convictions.
- Fee payment receipts.
- Fresh photos meeting specs.
Skilled applicants often add work references or test results to back up experience. Your employer uploads most of this, but you supply the personal pieces.
Full Step-by-Step Application Guide
Everything starts with the company in Saudi Arabia. Follow these stages closely:
- Secure a Visa Block from MHRSD: The employer applies for permission to hire foreigners, proving Nitaqat compliance and skill fit.
- Enter Details on Qiwa: Log into Qiwa.sa, input your info, and attach files—the system flags your skill level here.
- Get MOFA Clearance: Once approved, you receive a reference number for the next phase.
- Visit the Saudi Embassy: Take all papers to get the actual visa in your passport.
- Arrive and Complete Local Checks: Do a medical exam inside Saudi Arabia.
- Activate the Permit: It shows up on Qiwa after the health report clears.
- Obtain Your Iqama: Use Absher or Muqeem portals to issue the residency ID, good for up to a year and renewable.
After that, sign up for wage protection, social insurance, and the Absher app for ongoing services. The whole flow stays digital where possible to cut paperwork.
Costs and Timelines to Expect
Fees add up but are straightforward. The entry visa itself runs about SAR 1,000. Work permit issuance can hit SAR 8,500–9,700, paid through the SADAD system. Renewing an Iqama costs SAR 650 yearly.
Typical wait times:
- Visa block approval: 2–4 weeks.
- Embassy stamping: another 2–3 weeks.
- Iqama after arrival: 1–2 weeks.
Plan for 2–6 weeks total, faster if documents are perfect and your nationality has smooth relations.
| Item | Approx. Cost (SAR) | Usual Wait |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Visa | 1,000 | 2–3 weeks |
| Work Permit | 8,500–9,700 | 1–3 days |
| Iqama Renewal | 650 | 1–2 weeks |
| Local Medical | 500–1,000 | Up to 1 week |
What Happens After Approval
Your visa lets you enter within 90 days (sometimes extendable). The employer must issue the Iqama quickly or face fines. Stay compliant by paying wages on time through the protected system, contributing to insurance, and renewing annually.
High earners can later bring family once they have an Iqama, showing enough income and housing. Track any rule changes on the official visa portal.
Any November 2025 Updates
The month brought tweaks mainly to temporary visas for seasonal work like Hajj services, leaving the standard skilled professional path unchanged. Keep an eye on MHRSD bulletins for anything new.
Saudi Arabia’s system now makes it simpler for qualified experts to contribute while growing the local workforce. Always double-check official channels for your specific case.