Newland Chase offers full support with all aspects of corporate immigration to Saudi Arabia. Please find an overview of the typical corporate immigration processes below. Every situation is unique, so please do get in touch, either through your usual Newland Chase contact or using the details on the right hand side of the page. Our immigration experts will be glad to discuss your needs in greater detail.
Foreign nationals wishing to work in Saudi Arabia must obtain a Working Visa with Residence Permit. The visa is issued on the basis of a block visa approval held by the Saudi entity, and the residence card obtained post-arrival includes work approval. The applicant must have an employment contract directly with the Saudi Arabian entity, valid for at least one year.
Quotas for the ratio of Saudi to foreign national employees apply under the ‘Nitaqat’ system and will apply to the sponsoring entity only (i.e. foreign nationals working at non-sponsoring client sites will not count towards their quota). The exact amount of the quota varies by sector/industry.
A monthly Expat Fee must be paid up front, in full, for the duration of the applicant’s Work Permit/Residence Permit (Muqeem).
Note that the Temporary Work Visa (a process for temporary work approval) is available once again. This process is currently being drafted and will be available in Immiguru shortly.
Nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states wishing to work in Saudi Arabia do not need to apply for a working visa or residence permit. They just need to register with the GOSI (social insurance) portal on their first working day.
