Saudi Arabia Work Visa Guide for 2025

Saudi Arabia’s new visa system streamlines access for foreign workers looking to contribute to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic transformation

29 July 2025 | By Asma Bashir

Saudi Arabia has overhauled its framework for admitting foreign workers with a three-tier skill classification.

While some core visa types remain unchanged, the country has introduced a new skill-based framework for standard (Iqama-linked) work permits, affecting both employers and foreign workers.

Let’s take a look at what’s changed, what hasn’t, and how to navigate the core visa types available for anyone looking to do business in Saudi Arabia.

What’s changed: Saudi’s new skill‑based work permit system

As of July 2025, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) has implemented a mandatory skill-based classification system for all long-term expatriate work permits (those that lead to an Iqama residency permit).

July-August 2025: Key dates & who’s affected (reclassification vs new hires)

• 5 July 2025: Reclassification began for all existing foreign work permits

• 1–3 August 2025: All new work permit applications must comply with the new skill-based categories

This reform replaces the outdated “professional vs. non-professional” model with a three-tiered classification based on the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations (SSCO).

It aims to align workforce skills with national economic priorities.

SSCO tiers & minimum salaries (High-Skilled/Skilled/Basic)

Saudi Arabia now classifies foreign workers into the following visa tiers:

1. High‑skilled

• Target roles: Doctors, engineers, IT specialists, corporate executives
• Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree or above (aligned to occupation under SSCO)

  • ≥ 5 years of relevant professional experience

  • Minimum monthly salary: SAR 15,000+

  • Must achieve ≥ 70 points under HRSD’s points-based system

• Verification: Documents must be attested; may require registration with Saudi accreditation bodies

2. Skilled

• Target roles: Technicians, mid-level supervisors, craftsmen

• Requirements:

  • Secondary education or vocational certification

  • ≥ 2 years of work experience

  • Minimum salary range: SAR 7,000 – 14,999

3. Basic

• Target roles: Entry-level and manual labor positions

• Requirements:

  • Age must be below 60 years

  • No formal education required

  • Minimum salary: SAR 3,000 – 6,999

🚨 Employers must classify each expatriate role correctly in Qiwa, Saudi Arabia’s official labour platform. Incorrect classifications may result in fines or hiring restrictions.

What’s stayed the same? 

Some aspects of the old system remain unchanged in the Saudi work visa overhaul.

• Application Portals: All work visa applications continue to be submitted via Qiwa (for labour approvals) and Muqeem (for residency and visa management).

• Saudization (Nitaqat) compliance remains mandatory. Companies must meet their quota for hiring Saudi nationals to be eligible for foreign recruitment.

• WPS (Wage Protection System) compliance and CR (Commercial Registration) validity remain core eligibility checks.

• Visa quotas are still governed by the Qiwa system.

• Employer sponsorship is still necessary for an Iqama (residency permit)

• Job transfers still depend on certain conditions, including completing one year with your current employer, or contract expiry.

So while the day-to-day process of getting a job or an Iqama remains familiar, the underlying system is now stricter and more selective about who qualifies based on real skills.

Key Work Visa Routes into Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Temporary Work Visa (unaffected by new rules) 

Saudi Arabia’s Temporary Work Visa continues to serve as a flexible, short-term option for foreign professionals entering the Kingdom for limited durations

The visa is valid for a maximum of 180 days, and lies outside the scope of the new reforms, as it is not linked to an Iqama (long-term residence permit)

Key features

• Validity: 90 days, extendable once for another 90 days (maximum of 180 days total)

• No Iqama issued: the visa cannot provide Saudi residency status

• No requirement to meet skill-based classification

• Ideal for:

  • Project-based technical work

  • Maintenance and equipment installation

  • On-site training or consultancy

Beyond Vision 2030, this new visa is part of a broader push to make Saudi Arabia more attractive to foreign workers and tourists.

Employer eligibility

To apply, companies must:

• Hold a valid Commercial Registration (CR)

• Have a Medium Green or higher Saudization (Nitaqat) rating

• Be compliant with Wage Protection System (WPS) regulations

• Maintain a sufficient visa quota in Qiwa

Application process

Employers can apply directly through Qiwa’s Temporary Work Visa e-service, independent of the skill-based permit workflow.

Applying for a temporary work visa in Saudi Arabia will cost SAR 1,000 (USD 266).

⚠️ Things to remember

• The visa must be sponsored by a Saudi-registered company.
• Certain activities, such as those relating to technical and scientific services, require special permits from security authorities rather than a commercial registration.
• Visa holders cannot bring dependents.

Saudi Employment Visa (Iqama) – now governed by skill-based classifications

Saudi Arabia’s Employment Visa is the standard long-term work visa for foreign nationals taking up full-time roles in the Kingdom.

Unlike the Temporary Work Visa, this visa does lead to the issuance of an Iqama (residency permit) and is now subject to Saudi Arabia’s 2025 skill-based classification system.

The Employment Visa is essential for expatriates relocating to Saudi Arabia to live and work over the long term. It is central to the Kingdom’s efforts to build a high-performing, diversified economy under Vision 2030.

Key features

Validity:
Issued for one year and renewable annually as long as employer and employee remain compliant

Iqama issued:
Grants legal residency in Saudi Arabia, enabling access to services and the ability to sponsor dependents

Subject to skill-based classification:
All Employment Visas must now be classified under one of three tiers: High-Skilled, Skilled, or Basic – based on education, salary, experience, and age

Ideal for:

• Full-time professional and technical roles

• Mid- to long-term employment contracts

• Employees relocating to Saudi Arabia with family or requiring residency rights

This visa plays a pivotal role in Vision 2030 by attracting international talent for mega-projects such as NEOM, Red Sea Global, and the broader knowledge economy.

Employer eligibility

To sponsor an Employment Visa, companies must:

• Hold a valid Commercial Registration (CR)

• Be rated Medium Green or above in the Saudization (Nitaqat) system

• Comply fully with the Wage Protection System (WPS)

• Have sufficient visa quota allocated via Qiwa

• Classify the position under the correct skill tier in line with the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations (SSCO)

Application Process

Employers must apply through the Qiwa platform under the “Employment Visa” service:

1. Select the appropriate occupation and skill tier

2. Submit an employment contract aligned with classification criteria

3. Upload required documentation (CR, job description, salary info)

4. Pay applicable fees (varies based on contract type and tier)

5. Upon approval, the foreign national applies for visa stamping via a Saudi consulate in their home country

6. Upon arrival, the employee completes medical checks and biometrics to receive the Iqama

⚠️ Things to remember

• This visa must be sponsored by a Saudi-registered company

• The position must be correctly classified under the 2025 skill-based framework (High-Skilled, Skilled, Basic)

• Employers must update or correct classifications in Qiwa within 30 days of issuance

• Employees with Iqamas can access local services, sponsor family members, and reside legally in the Kingdom

• Misclassification or non-compliance may result in fines, hiring restrictions, or permit suspension

Other types of Saudi Arabia work visa

An array of other visas, including the Premium Residency Visa, business licences for Project HQ and the upcoming GCC Unified Visa, now provide access to business travellers, employees and those seeking opportunities in Saudi Arabia.

Here is a brief overview of some other popular visa options.

Business Visit Visa

This visa enables short-term business activities, such as corporate meetings or negotiating commercial agreements. It can be issued as a single-entry visit visa valid for 90 days or as a multiple-entry visit visa valid for six months or one year. It does not permit hands-on work.

Premium Residency Visa

The Premium Residency visa is known informally as the ‘Saudi Green Card‘. it provides residence for wealthy investors, entrepreneurs and highly talented foreign nationals without the need for a sponsor. You can learn more about it in our explainer guide here.

Start Your KSA Journey Today

At Centuro Global, we specialise in helping clients find routes to live and work in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We have over 25 years of experience supporting immigration applications and expediting cases directly with the government.

Our team of experts can answer your queries and help avoid delays when applying for a KSA Temporary Work Visa. Get in touch today!

FAQs about Saudi Work Visas