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Immigrate to Saudi Arabia

Immigrate to Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is one of the most appealing business destinations in the Middle East. The developed economy attracts investors and also specialists in various fields looking for good jobs in other parts of the world. While some decide on immigration to Saudi Arabia permanently, for others a temporary relocation is a better solution. No matter the way you want to use to move to Saudi Arabia, our specialists can help you find the best type of residence permit.

 Quick Facts  
 Entry visa requirement (from EU)  EU citizens need visas to enter Saudi Arabia

Entry visa requirement (outside EU)

Non-EU citizens also need to obtain entry visas for Saudi Arabia

Types of visas available

The student, business, visitor visas are issued for short-term stays of maximum 90 days.

Work permits are also available with a minimum validity of 6 months.

Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.)  The processing time for a work permit ranges between 1 and 3 weeks.
Validity of temporary residence permit

6 months with the possibility of being extended

 Temporary residence permit renewal requirements

Minimum renewal period is 3 days before the permit expires, however, it is recommended to complete the procedure at the earliest possible.

Documents for obtaining a residence permit

 – valid passport (minimum 6 months validity),

– application form,

– employment contract (other documents justifying the relocation),

– health certificate,

– other documents as requested by the authorities

Timeframe for obtaining permanent residence

– 1 year through the investor visa,

– 5 years through normal relocation

Investor Visa availability

2 types of visas are available for investors (one issued for renewable residency, the second one for permanent residency) 

  Start-up Visa Scheme availability (YES/NO)

No, however, startups can be created through regular business visas

Sponsorship requirement

Sponsorship is required for persons immigrating to Saudi Arabia based on employment.

Time frame for obtaining citizenship

Living in Saudi Arabia for 10 years

Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability (YES/NO) 

Residency by investment scheme is available with the possibility of acquiring direct permanent residence card.

Taxation of foreign citizens

Foreign citizens are imposed a flat tax rate of 20% on adjusted profits if they are non-residents.

Tax benefits for expats  

– no personal income tax after obtaining residency,

– access to more than 50 double tax treaties

We are a team made of Saudi company formation officers and immigration lawyers in Saudi Arabia who can provide complex services to foreign investors and people who want to explore all the opportunities this country has to offer.

The main types of visas for Saudi immigration

No matter the reason you decide to immigrate to Saudi Arabia for, including for a simple visit in order to establish the conditions for opening a company, for example, you will need a visa to enter the KSA.

If you want to stay here for a longer period, you will need a residence permit. The main permits available for immigration to Saudi Arabia are:

  1. the employment or work visa which can be requested by people who want to work here;
  2. the escort visa which can be obtained by family members (spouse and children) of a foreign citizen living in KSA;
  3. the student visa which is available for persons who want to complete their studies here and which enables them to live here for a few months;
  4. the residence permit which enables a foreign citizen to live in Saudi Arabia for various timeframes.

Saudi immigration is available for people who want to work and set up businesses here. Employment can be obtained for short terms, but also for long terms. For the first situation, the Saudi authorities have recently enabled the temporary work visa.

Our immigration lawyers in Saudi Arabia are at your service with tailored support if you want to relocate here and will guide you in applying for the type of residence permit you want.

How to migrate to Saudi Arabia through employment

Finding employment in the KSA is not complicated for highly skilled people as Saudi companies hire foreign employees in important sectors, like oil and gas exploitation. For this purpose, overseas citizens can obtain temporary or long-term residence permits.

If you decide to immigrate to Saudi Arabia based on employment, the procedure is rather simple as it must be completed in a large percentage by the employer. So, you must first secure a job offer and contract with a Saudi company which must start the hiring procedure with the Ministry of Labor.

Once the formalities are completed at the end of the employer, the Saudi embassy or consulate in the employee’s home country will issue the work visa. Following the arrival in the KSA, the foreign visa holder will obtain a residence permit from the Ministry of Interior.

Here are the main aspects to consider for immigration to KSA based on employment:

  • the foreign citizen must have a valid employment contract which will enable him/her to work for the company hiring him/her;
  • the employment must be based on specific education or experience that must be proved;
  • the processing time for the work visa takes between 2 and 3 months.

During the stay in Saudi Arabia, the employee can change the company he or she works for only based on a No Objection Letter from the former employer.

In the case of temporary work permits, these are issued to employees of foreign companies that do not have an established presence in Saudi Arabia. The duration of such visas is 30 or 90 days. This is a suitable option for foreign enterprises setting up liaison offices in KSA with the purpose of prospecting the market.

You can rely on our specialists if you want to immigrate to Saudi Arabia or open a business here. We also have an infographic about the relocation procedure:

How long does it take to obtain a work/residence visa for Saudi Arabia?

The procedures of obtain work and residence visas for Saudi Arabia imply various documents and a application process that can take a few weeks (work visas are issued faster). Once you have signed a contract of employment, you must present your all the requested information, as well as the results of your medical examination to the embassy in your home country.

When you arrive in the KSA, you will use the visa number you get to apply for a resident visa, which will serve as your residence permit. Your sponsor will keep your passport, but you will need to travel with your residency permission if you want to leave the country.

Immigration to KSA is not as complicated as it used to, however, the procedure requires a lot of attention when it comes to the documents that need to be drafted by the applicant. However, you can rely on our Saudi lawyers for complete support.

How to obtain a business visa for Saudi Arabia

It is possible to apply for a business visa for a brief trip, such as traveling as a company representative, a sales representative, an investor, or for any other similar purpose. You will be required to include a completed application form and a recent photograph.

Among the other documents you need to supply for obtaining the visa are also:

  • a letter from your employer informing about your role within the company, the reason for your visit, and the length of your stay (please note that the letter must be certified by the chamber of commerce in your country of residence);
  • an invitation from the Saudi partner;
  • proof of paying the necessary visa fees.

Please mind that for employee relocation a work visa is also required, even if this also one of the ways to transfer workers to Saudi Arabia on a short term.

Family reunion in Saudi Arabia through the escort visa

The escort visa is the main document a foreign citizen seeking to reunite with family members in Saudi Arabia must obtain. It must be noted that this type of visa is usually issued to women. You can apply for this type of visa if you want to live in Saudi Arabia with your family, such as your father or husband.

Among the papers to prepare, you must consider an authorization from the Saudi Foreign Ministry together with your family member’s Saudi iqama details in order to be eligible.

Our local specialists are at your service if you want to acquire an escort visa for Saudi Arabia. We can assist with the preparation of the documents that will enable you to immigrate to Saudi Arabia stress-free.

Immigrate to Saudi Arabia for a long-term

If you have decided that you want to live in Saudi Arabia in the long term, a residence permit is the most suitable option.

In order to obtain a permanent or premium residence permit, an expat must meet certain requirements, in accordance with the recently launched program. The following conditions must be met for the two permits available:

  • the applicant must be at least 21 years old;
  • he or she must pay a fee of SAR 800,000 or the equivalent of approximately USD 213,000 for permanent residency;
  • he or she must pay an annual fee of SAR 100,000 or around USD 27,000 for a temporary residence permit that can be renewed.

Access to Saudi citizenship

Saudi Arabia has become more open to foreigners who want to move there, and proof to that is the recent amendment to the Nationality Law. In January 2023, the authorities announced an easier way to obtain citizenship. Article 8 allows children of Saudi mothers and expatriate fathers to petition for citizenship, while children born to Saudi fathers and expatriate mothers automatically receive citizenship at birth. For this purpose, the main conditions are for the applicants to be above 18, have a local address in Saudi Arabia, have committed no crimes, and be fluent in Arabic.

In terms of dual citizenship, it must be noted that Saudi Arabia does not recognize it.

If you want to move to Saudi Arabia, no matter the pathway you decide on, you can rely on our local lawyers who are at your disposal. We also offer accounting services in Saudi Arabia if you are already a resident and need support.

For detailed information on the main requirements associated with immigration to Saudi Arabia under the permanent residence program, you can rely on our local advisors who can also help you draft the necessary documents. Contact us for tailored support.