Are you planning to work in Saudi Arabia, and how to be issued a work permit visa? You are not the only one. I had the same aim as you have, and through proper research and personal experience, I was able to get my Saudi work visa at last via the KSA forum.
Using the following in this step-by-step guide, I will reveal how to obtain a Saudi Arabia work permit visa:
- KSA
- Qiwa
- MOFA
I employed the KSA approach and managed to have my work visa stamped. In case you have never ever dared to apply, or you want to know more about the recent regulations, this blog will provide you with all the necessary verified information, which is up to date.
What is a Work Permit Visa in Saudi Arabia?
A work permit visa in Saudi Arabia is the permit that gives official recognition to live and work in the Kingdom by a foreign national under the approval of a Saudi employer. It is given once a job is offered and accepted, and it does contain a residency permit (Iqama). It is represented by the permit of the Ministry of Human Resources, the authorization of a visa by KSA, and stamping by the Saudi embassy or by the visa center.
Method 1: through KSA
I did it myself, and it was reliable and smooth when done properly. All the following steps are given below:
Step 1: Visit the KSA E-Visa Portal
- Go to: https://ksavisa.sa/
- Once you get to the home page, choose the option of employment visa under the visa elements.
Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Visa Request Option
- You will have to select the alternative, Request a Work Visa, based on the block Visa Approval.
Step 3: Fill in Applicant and Job Details
This process is quite significant, do not forget to fill in all the data:
- Personal details: First and last name, citizenship (Pakistani), passport number, birthday, etc.
- Job-related info: Name of position, name of the company, and salary, contractual term. In real life.
- Your signed job offer or employment contract will also require attaching.
Step 4: Pay the Visa Fee
- The payment may be online or Enjaz system.
- Keep the receipt of the transaction secure because it can be used to stamp the visa.
Step 5: Get KSA Visa Authorization Number
- Once the application gets through, KSA provides a Visa Authorization Number.
- The number will be forwarded either to your employer or the recruiting agency to which you are working.
Method 2: Via Qiwa Portal
Qiwa Portal is an online platform through which Saudi employers can make an application for a work visa for a foreign worker.
Step 1: Employer Login
Your Saudi employer needs to open the web page of https://qiwa.sa and enter their official business credentials.
Related Reads: Umrah Visa from UK: 2025 Cost, Packages & Process
Step 2: Access Visa Services
Then, log in, and under the point Visa Services, they click on Request for a New Visa.
Step 3: Fill in Job Details
The employer will type in keywords of job information:
- Job title and category
- Nationality (e.g., Pakistani)
- Gender
- Number of workers
- Educational and professional qualifications
Step 4: Submit for Review
After filling in all the required information in the form, it has already been sent to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) to be approved.
Step 5: Get a Block Visa Number
In case of acceptance, a block visa number is granted. This figure is necessary to do the next stage, which is the visa authorization of the KSA.
Method 3: Through the MOFA
MOFA platform is used to request a work visa.
Step 1: Register on the MOFA Platform
- Website: https://www.mofa.gov.sa/
- Visit the section Individuals; create a new account for a visa applicant.
Step 2: Fill Out the Visa Application Form
- Enter your details, including:
- Visa type: Employment visa
Step 3: Upload Supporting Documents
Have the following set and ready to be scanned:
- Copy of your passport
- Photograph
- Signed employment contract
- A medical fitness certificate
- Police clearance certificate
- Academic and professional qualifications
Each file must be a PDF or a JPG, and also clearly visible.
Step 4: Pay the Visa Fee
- Visa costs normally have an approximate cost of between SAR 2,000 and SAR 3,000, depending on the job title and category.
- This is paid online on MOFA, and you receive a receipt of payment.
Step 5: Book an Appointment
- Book an appointment depending on which city in Pakistan you are in.
- Saudi Embassy in Islamabad
Step 6: Submit Passport for Visa Stamping
- Come in to your appointment and bring:
- Biometric data (fingerprints, photo)
- Required documents
- Passport
- Once they are processed, your passport will be released bearing the Saudi work visa to you.
My Personal Experience
My name is Faisal Al-Harbi, and I have had a Saudi work visa procedure in my life. I used the KSA website after a company in Saudi Arabia gave me a job offer in a construction firm.
Here’s what I learned:
- The whole process lasted approximately 3-4 weeks, covering the initial process to the final process.
- Having all your documents ready saves a lot of time.
- Use Etimad for assistance—they’re helpful and well-structured.
- The most important thing is to ensure that the firm needs your services and abandons all legal procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I get a Saudi work visa from Pakistan?
You must have a job offer to work with an employer in Saudi Arabia. They subscribe through Qiwa, and then KSA permits them. You accomplish the step using MOFA or Etimad.
How long does the visa process take?
It most often occurs within 2-6 weeks, depending on the employer feedback and verification of documents.
What’s the cost of a Saudi work visa?
The price of the visa changes between SAR 2,000 to 3,000 without counting the medical and Etimad bill.
Can I apply myself?
No. The application can only be initiated by the employers in Saudi Arabia.
Is a medical test required?
Yes. A medical fitness test that ought to be approved by GAMCA is required.
Read Also: Visa on Arrival in GCC Countries (2025 Guide + Fees)
Final Words
In case you want to work in Saudi Arabia, then the utmost thing you should obtain is the work permit visa. It does not matter whether you access the Qiwa portal, KSA, or MOFA platform; the procedure is transparent, systematic, and doable.
Being a satisfied person (received the visa), I strongly advise you to remember to tidy up your documents, monitor official portals, and stay away from agents or other third parties that may look suspicious.
By taking the correct measures and remaining patient enough, you will very soon be holding your visa and embarking on a new stage in Saudi Arabia.
