Visa and PRO Services in Saudi Arabia

Types of Visas

As an expatriate, there are several options that allow you to visit, reside and work in KSA depending on the purpose of your stay, your employment status and your financial capabilities. Below is a breakdown of the most common visas and residency options in KSA.

There are a number of visa options in Saudi Arabia. Most commonly, we processes residency visa known as Iqama. 

Employment Work Visa 

Expats looking to move to Saudi Arabia to work and reside will require an Employment Visa. The employee must be sponsored by the employer with a valid employment contract and the employer is responsible for issuing the visa. The work visa will allow the employee to reside in the country with valid residency (Iqama).

Temporary Work Visa

For companies looking to relocate some of their employees to KSA for a specific period of time and a particular project. The visa is issued from the employer and usually it is valid for 90 days with single entry. It can be renewed for another 90 days with permission from the Ministry of Interior. Temporary work visa will allow the employee to work in KSA without the need to issue a work permit or  residency visa (Iqama).

Business Set Up Visa

When incorporating a company in KSA, owners or directors can obtain a General Manager or Executive Directors visas and residency (Iqama) or if applicable, apply for Premium Residency to reside and run their businesses in KSA. It is highly recommended and gives the biggest leverage and benefit to your local business.

Dependent Visa

Expats who hold a valid work visas and iqama can sponsor their family members to reside in Saudi Arabia. The employee (the sponsor) can issue the dependent visa for the spouse and children. The sponsor must meet a minimum salary requirements and dependents are not allowed to work in KSA on this visa.

Business Visa

For individuals that want to visit Saudi to attend meetings, conferences or exploring investment opportunities. It has a limited duration of 30,90 or 180 days. This visa type does not allow for work in KSA and it requires an invitation letter from a Saudi based entity.

Premium Residency

Allows expats to live and work in KSA without a sponsor. The two main ones are the limited duration residency (SR 100,000 per year) and the unlimited duration ( SR 800,000 as a one-time fee). 

Tourist Visa

The tourist visa is available for citizens of 49 countries via an electronic visa system. The Tourist visa is valid for up to 90 days with single and multiple entry options available. Tourist Visa does not allow residency or employment in the Kingdom. 

If you are interested in how to convert a visit visa to an Iqama because you have found work or are planning to set up your business having visited the Kingdom, there is no conversion of visas. You will need to exit the country and begin the process to obtain the Iqama for your business set up or through your employer.

Hajj and Umrah Visa

A special visas for Muslims traveling to KSA for pilgrimage. The Hajj visa is seasonally while the Umrah visa is available throughout the year. These types of visas do not allow to reside or work in the Kingdom.

Residency of GCC Nationals

All GCC Nationals can visit Saudi without a visa or sponsorship. GCC Nationals can start business in KSA with the same rules and regulations of Saudi National.

PRO Services in Saudi Arabia

Our PRO services for businesses in KSA, range from labour and immigration matters to attestation of documents. We will appoint a Sovereign PPG PRO (Public Relations Officer) to support your business processes and administrative requirements. 

Outside of the Visa and Iqama (residence permit) service outlined above, our PRO services extend to supporting companies with:

1. Establishment of local or foreign companies (LLC, Branch, RHQ)
2. Commercial registration (CR) issuance and renewal
3. Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia (MISA) & Ministry of Labour (MOL) license support for investors
4. Labour approvals and visa issuance
5. GOSI (General Organization for Social Insurance) registration and portal updates
6. Saudization compliance
7. Document attestation and notarisation - English and Arabic translations
8. Tax and Accounting compliance - Corporate income, VAT registration and filing & E-invoicing processes
   
9. External Regulatory Approvals
10. Safety and inspection compliance

Sovereign PPG provide visa and pro services in Riyadh, Jeddah and across the Kingdom. When exploring your visa and residency requirements, it is important to consider several factors such as the purpose of your visit, securing employment contract, family members and financial capabilities. Additionally, visiting, living and working in KSA requires adhering to Saudi Laws and Labour Regulations, residency requirements and culture and traditions norm. Understanding these considerations and planning accordingly, expats can choose the correct visa for work, short visit or investment opportunities.