Throughout this article series, we have discussed several key processes a foreign investor who dreams of opening a business in Saudi Arabia must undergo. After financial planning, securing an investment licence, and company formation, the next essential move is ensuring you have the proper permissions to live and work in the Kingdom. 

In this article, we will walk you through the work visa and Saudi residency permit (Iqama) process to help you better understand what to expect. With this information, you will be well-prepared to manage all requirements with ease. 

Note: This article does not discuss premium residency; this will be touched upon in later articles

What is the Iqama?

The Iqama is a residency permit issued to foreign nationals living and working in Saudi Arabia. It is a crucial document for any expatriates, including foreign investors who wish to reside in the country with their families. Although you can start working in the country without an Iqama, most services are blocked.

The following are the benefits of Iqama

Benefits of Iqama

1. Legal Residency
2. Work Authorisation
3. Access to Services: Holders can access various services, including banking, healthcare, and education.
4. Family Sponsorship: Iqama holders can sponsor their spouse and children, allowing them to live in Saudi Arabia.
5. Ease of Travel: Iqama holders may avail visa-free or on-arrival travel to GCC countries.

Validity of Iqama

• Duration: The Iqama visa is typically valid for one to two years (depending on your contract), while the physical card is valid for 5 years.
• Renewal: Your iqama must be renewed annually. 

It is important to note that the validity of the Iqama depends on your sponsor (Kafeel), As a founder in Saudi, your sponsor is your own company. If you ever close the company through which your Iqama was granted, it will become invalid by default. In such a case, you must exit the country or move to another company. 

Visas in Saudi are also not transferred directly. You must cancel any existing visa by exiting the country and then receiving your Iqama visa. 

Iqama Issuance Process 

1. Register Company 

To begin the process of Iqama issuance, you must register your company with the Ministry of Labour, the entity responsible for processing all government visas. This initial step requires creating an account to open your file. It is essential that a Saudi representative or lawyer handle this process on your behalf. 

2. Visa Approval from MISA (for Founder): 

After registering your company, the next step is to submit a visa request to the Ministry of Investment on their website. MISA will coordinate with the Ministry of Labour and begin processing your request. You can expect to receive a reply in approximately 2 weeks. Please note that this step only applies to founders/owners/GMs of the company. For future employees, the process may be different. 

3. Visa Issuance From the Saudi Embassy 

Once your visa has been approved, the next step is to get it issued by the Saudi Embassy in your home country. Direct correspondence with the embassy is typically handled through an authorised service provider of your choice, such as Tasheer. 

As part of your visa application, you may need to also 

• Attest and submit relevant educational documents
• Undergo a medical checkup
• Visit the centre to provide biometrics.

The process of the embassy itself, excluding attestation and certification, is typically completed under a week’s time.

Note: You can only issue a visa from your country of origin or country of legal permanent residence. 

4. Iqama Issuance in Saudi Arabia

On your newly issued visa, the next step is to enter Saudi Arabia within 90 days, with a recommendation to stay for at least one week. Upon arrival, a mandatory medical checkup is required. Additionally, you must obtain medical insurance and activate a Saudi SIM and number. The cost of these procedures is mentioned in our previous article on Saudi landing hard costs. 

Once you complete the above steps, submit the necessary documentation, and pay all the fees, you will receive the Iqama on the same day. You can either pick it up yourself or delegate a Saudi national (provided he has your original passport copy) to collect it for you. 

5. Register on E-Government Platforms

Saudi Arabia has a strong electronic government (E-government) system, with most transactions happening online. Registering yourself on these e-government platforms and establishing an online presence is the final step to completing your work visa and Iqama process.  

• Absher 

Absher is an online portal that allows the residents and citizens of Saudi Arabia to access a wide range of essential government services. This includes traffic violations, driver's licence renewals, and more. 

Registering for this platform requires you to visit any Absher kiosk. The Absher website features an interactive map that directs you to the kiosk closest to your location.

 

The purpose of the Absher registration process is to:

1. Configure and validate your fingerprints 
2. Validating your formal national mobile number, which will be used for all government processes. 
3. Receive an E-Key, which will be used as an OTP (one-time password) to activate Nafath.

• Nafath 

Nafath is a digital identity system that provides secure access to various government services through the use of OTP (one-time-password) technology. It is a convenient and safe means to verify your identity during activities like banking and accessing government portals.

Once you have completed the government portal registration, you will be recognised as a resident of Saudi Arabia. You are eligible to open a bank account, lease a property, and access healthcare facilities. 

Saudi Expansion Series

This article is part of the Saudi Expansion series, where we aim to educate international entrepreneurs and business owners on Saudi Arabia's foreign investment regime for a smooth landing. This article is written by Tawaref, a tech investment community that finances top regional startups & offers entrepreneurial services