Visa by Nationality

Saudi Arabia Work Visa for Vietnamese Citizens

The complete operational guide for Vietnamese nationals moving to Saudi Arabia for work — eligibility, document attestation through Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Saudi Embassy Hanoi, costs, and the realistic end-to-end timeline.

How does a Vietnamese citizen get a Saudi Arabia work visa? A Vietnamese citizen obtains a Saudi work visa through a Saudi-licensed employer (or an Employer of Record) issuing a block visa via MHRSD, then completing GAMCA medical, attestation of educational and police certificates, and visa stamping at the Saudi Embassy in Hanoi. Total timeline is typically 6–10 weeks.

Hiring Vietnamese talent into Saudi Arabia

Vietnam is one of the most active corridors for workforce mobility into Saudi Arabia. Saudi employers (or an Employer of Record acting as the legal sponsor) hire Vietnamese citizens through the standard Saudi work-visa lifecycle: block visa from MHRSD, MOFA-issued visa invitation, embassy stamping in Hanoi, GAMCA medical screening (where applicable), arrival in the Kingdom, and Iqama issuance within 90 days.

The most common employers of Vietnamese talent in the Kingdom operate in: Construction, Manufacturing, Hospitality.

The most common employers of Vietnamese talent in the Kingdom operate in: Construction, Manufacturing, Hospitality.

Plan for 6–10 weeks end-to-end; the largest variable is document attestation in Vietnam.

Tamra Mobility manages the full lifecycle as either the legal sponsor (under our EOR licence) or as the operational partner working with your in-Kingdom entity — including attestation routing, GAMCA scheduling, embassy submission, arrival logistics and Iqama issuance.

Key facts

Visa typeSaudi Long-Term Work Visa (converted to Iqama on arrival)
Embassy / ConsulateHanoi
Attestation authorityVietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Saudi Embassy Hanoi
Estimated cost (per hire)USD 1,100 – USD 2,300 per applicant
End-to-end timeline6–10 weeks
Iqama issuanceWithin 90 days of Saudi entry
Family inclusionSpouse and children eligible after main applicant Iqama issued

Step-by-step: Vietnamese work visa process

The end-to-end Saudi work visa and Iqama lifecycle.

  1. Block visa & MHRSD allocation. The Saudi-side employer (or Tamra as EOR) requests a block visa via MHRSD against an open Saudization-compliant quota.
  2. MOFA visa invitation. Once approved, MOFA issues a visa invitation number tied to the candidate's nationality and job title.
  3. Document attestation. Documents need consular legalisation through the Vietnamese MFA before Saudi Embassy attestation. Department of Overseas Labour (DOLAB) clearance is mandatory.
  4. GAMCA medical (where required). Candidate attends an authorised GAMCA centre for the mandated medical screening; results upload directly to the Saudi system.
  5. Embassy submission & visa stamping. Application is submitted via Enjazit and the Saudi Embassy in Hanoi stamps the work visa into the passport.
  6. Travel to Saudi Arabia. Candidate enters the Kingdom on the work visa. Employer must complete fingerprinting and Iqama issuance within 90 days.
  7. Iqama issuance. MOI issues the Iqama (residency permit). The candidate is now legally resident and can sponsor dependents.

Eligibility & requirements

  • Passport with minimum 18 months validity and at least 2 blank pages
  • Authenticated educational certificates matching the proposed Saudi job title
  • Police clearance certificate from Vietnam, issued within the last 6 months
  • GAMCA-approved medical examination (mandatory for South Asian and African nationals; optional for most Western nationals but recommended)
  • Saudi-side block visa already issued by MHRSD against the employer's quota
  • MOFA-issued visa invitation number
  • Employment contract aligned with the MISA-approved activity of the sponsoring entity

Documents required for embassy submission

  • Original passport
  • Two recent passport photos (Saudi biometric standard, white background)
  • Attested educational certificate
  • Attested professional experience certificate (where applicable)
  • Police clearance certificate
  • Medical fitness certificate (GAMCA where applicable)
  • Employment contract attested by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce
  • MOFA visa invitation number printout
  • Visa application form, completed via Enjazit / Saudi Embassy portal

Common rejection reasons

  • DOLAB labour contract registration missing
  • Recruitment agency not licensed
  • Pre-departure training certificate missing

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Saudi work visa take for a Vietnamese citizen?

Typical end-to-end timeline is 6–10 weeks. The longest variable is document attestation in Vietnam, which can be compressed with Tamra-managed processing.

How much does a Saudi work visa cost for a Vietnamese citizen?

Total cost typically falls in the range of USD 1,100 – USD 2,300 per applicant. This covers MHRSD block visa fees, MOFA, embassy stamping, attestation, medical and Iqama issuance. Family inclusion adds further costs.

Can a Vietnamese citizen sponsor their family on a Saudi work visa?

Yes — once the main applicant's Iqama is issued and provided their job classification meets the MOI threshold (typically white-collar professional roles), they can sponsor a spouse and children under 18.

Does a Vietnamese candidate need a GAMCA medical?

GAMCA is not mandatory for most Western nationalities, but a Saudi-recognised medical fitness test is still required after arrival as part of Iqama issuance.

Can Tamra act as the legal sponsor instead of our company?

Yes. Tamra holds an Employer of Record licence in Saudi Arabia and can sponsor work visas, issue Iqamas and manage payroll for your hire while you retain full operational control of the role.

What happens if the candidate fails the GAMCA medical?

If the candidate is found unfit on contagious disease grounds (TB, HIV, hepatitis), the visa is rejected and cannot be appealed. Tamra screens candidates pre-application to avoid this.

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