Saudi Arabia : Visa and immigration

Do I need a visa and/or work permit?

UK nationals require a visa for both entry to and exit from Saudi Arabia. Visas can take several months to process and can be held up by a lot of bureaucracy. If you wish to work in Saudi Arabia you will need to secure a job before travelling. This will allow you to obtain a work visa, which your employer should help with. It is not possible to visit Saudi Arabia on a casual basis.

How do I apply for a visa and/or work permit?

To gain a visa to enter Saudi Arabia, you will need a sponsor, who may be a personal contact in the country or your new employer. They will apply for the visa on your behalf and will arrange for the necessary forms to be completed. Some companies have people who are specifically assigned to carry out this role. In order to get the visa you will need a passport valid for at least six months, some passport photographs and a medical certificate.

If you are not a UK national, contact the Saudi embassy in the country where you are currently residing about how to obtain visas and work permits. If you are living in the UK, go to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in London .

You might also find it helpful to contact your ministry of foreign affairs (or your own embassy if you are not living in your home country) to ask whether there are any issues to be taken into account when considering working in Saudi Arabia.

How do I apply for permanent residency?

The majority of career opportunities for non-Saudi graduates will be fixed term for a number of years and permanent residency is not usually available.