Saudi Arabia visas and immigration

The complete Saudi immigration intelligence platform. Compare Business, Temporary Work and long-term Work Visa pathways with operational guides.

Frequently asked questions

Which Saudi visa do I actually need?

Business Visit for meetings and negotiations; Temporary Work Visa for short-term hands-on assignments under a Saudi sponsor; Work Visa & Iqama for long-term employment and residency.

Can a foreign company sponsor visas without a Saudi entity?

No. All work visas require a Saudi-licensed sponsor with appropriate Nitaqat rating and an open block visa quota. Where no entity exists, Tamra sponsors employees through our Employer of Record while we run incorporation in parallel.

How long does each Saudi visa take?

Business Visit: typically 2–3 weeks once documents are complete. Temporary Work and Work Visas: 6–10 weeks of active processing, with degree legalisation (20–60 working days) often the critical path.

How much do Saudi work visas cost?

Long-term Work Visa & Iqama issuance typically costs SAR 7,000–12,000 per employee, plus an annual Iqama levy (~SAR 7,200) and dependent visas (SAR 1,500–3,500 each). Pricing varies by nationality, sponsor entity and current government fees.

What are block visas and Nitaqat?

Block visas are MHRSD-issued allocations of work permits granted to qualifying employers. Nitaqat is the Saudization rating system that governs how many block visas a company can receive.

What is degree legalisation and why does it matter?

Saudi work visa applications require the principal applicant's degree certificate to be notarised in the country of issue, then attested by their MOFA, then by the Saudi embassy. The process takes 20–60 working days and is the single most common cause of visa delay.

Does Tamra handle Saudi immigration end-to-end?

Yes. Eligibility review, document collection, attestation, MOFA invitations, block visa applications, consular submissions, arrival logistics, Iqama issuance, renewals and cancellations under one immigration manager.

What about dependents and family sponsorship?

Spouse and children can be sponsored under an Iqama once issued, subject to MHRSD eligibility and salary thresholds. Tamra coordinates dependent visas, arrival and ongoing residency.

What happens if an Iqama expires?

Late renewal triggers government penalties and freezes downstream services (banking, schooling, exit/re-entry). Tamra tracks every Iqama on a managed renewal calendar so renewals are filed before expiry.

Can a Business Visit Visa be converted to a Work Visa in-country?

No. Saudi work permits must be issued from outside the Kingdom against an open block visa quota. Conversion in-country is not permitted; the candidate must depart and re-enter on the appropriate work visa.

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