Saudi Arabia visaWork in Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia employment visa and iqama for Indian workers
A Saudi work visa starts with the employer: the company obtains a visa quota (block visa) on Qiwa, issues the individual visa authorisation, and the Indian worker completes the Enjaz application, the medical test at a GAMCA/Wafid clinic, the Professional Verification Program skills check for skilled trades and professions (mandatory for Indian applicants since 14 January 2025), attestation of the degree and then biometrics and passport submission at a VFS Tasheer centre in India. The single-entry employment visa fee is SAR 2,000 and by Saudi law the employer pays it, along with the iqama (about SAR 650 a year), the work permit levy of SAR 9,600 a year and the return ticket; Indian consular rules also require the employer to bear recruitment costs. Plan 4 to 8 weeks from the visa authorisation to arrival, and 90 days after arrival to receive the iqama.
6 min read Verified 30 October 2026 against visa.visitsaudi.com · How we verify
Saudi Arabia employment visa and iqama: quick answers
- Who qualifies for a Saudi work visa?
- Any Indian worker with a job offer from a Saudi employer that holds a visa quota for the profession on Qiwa, from engineers, nurses and IT staff to drivers, technicians and construction trades. Skilled professions need a degree or diploma attested by the Saudi Cultural Attaché and the MEA, and since January 2025 Indian applicants in 128 skilled trades and professions must pass the Professional Verification Program test through Takamol before the visa is stamped. Domestic workers follow the separate Musaned system with its own contract and the Indian e-Migrate clearance for ECR passports; all ECR passport holders need e-Migrate emigration clearance before travel.
- What does it cost the worker?
- Nothing by law: Saudi Labour Law (Article 40) obliges the employer to pay the SAR 2,000 visa fee, the iqama (about SAR 650 a year), the work permit levy (SAR 800 a month, SAR 9,600 a year), medical insurance and the ticket, and the Embassy of India in Riyadh advises workers not to pay recruitment fees. In practice workers often fund the Enjaz fee (about SAR 50 plus service), the Wafid medical (INR 6,000 to 8,000), attestation (INR 3,000 to 10,000), the PVP test (about INR 3,500 to 5,000) and the Tasheer biometrics (about INR 2,500 to 3,000), then claim them. Vistolane shows the SAR 2,000 fee at the official rate and lists who pays each item.
- How long does it take from India?
- Once the employer's visa authorisation is issued, the Enjaz filing, medical, attestation and PVP take 2 to 4 weeks, VFS Tasheer stamps the visa in 3 to 7 working days, and the worker must enter within 90 days of issue; 4 to 8 weeks is typical. After arrival the employer has 90 days to complete the medical, Absher registration and iqama issuance.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Employment (work) visa, single entry, valid 90 days to enter; iqama (residence permit) 1 to 2 years |
| Government fee | SAR 2,000 visa (employer); iqama about SAR 650 a year; work permit levy SAR 9,600 a year (employer) |
| Processing | 2 to 4 weeks of pre-checks, 3 to 7 working days at VFS Tasheer; iqama within 90 days of arrival |
| Pre-requisites | Qiwa visa quota, Enjaz application, Wafid medical, degree attestation, PVP test for skilled roles, e-Migrate for ECR passports |
| Probation and contract | Qiwa electronic contract; probation up to 180 days; wages through the Wage Protection System |
| Exit and re-entry | SAR 200 for 2 months single; employer or worker via Absher |
| Family | Dependants in eligible professions on the family residence visa with the SAR 400 a month dependant levy |
| Verified | 30 Oct 2026 against mofa.gov.sa, eoiriyadh.gov.in and Takamol |
The Saudi hiring chain for an Indian worker
| Stage | Who | What happens | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa quota (block visa) | Employer on Qiwa | Ministry of Human Resources approves the number of visas per profession and nationality; Nitaqat (Saudisation) band must allow it | 1 to 4 weeks |
| Visa authorisation | Employer on Qiwa / MOFA | Individual visa number issued for the worker; contract uploaded | Days |
| Enjaz application | Worker or agent | MOFA online form with the visa number; SAR 50 fee | 1 to 2 days |
| Wafid (GAMCA) medical | Worker in India | Blood tests, X-ray, general exam at an approved clinic | 3 to 7 days |
| Attestation and PVP | Worker | Degree attested by the MEA and Saudi Cultural Attaché; Professional Verification Program test for 128 skilled roles | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Stamping at VFS Tasheer | Worker | Biometrics, passport, documents, police clearance; visa stamped | 3 to 7 working days |
| e-Migrate clearance | ECR passport holders | Emigration clearance from the Protector of Emigrants before departure | 2 to 5 days |
The Professional Verification Program, run by Takamol with the Ministry of Human Resources, tests Indian applicants in trades and professions such as electricians, plumbers, welders, HVAC technicians, carpenters, drivers of heavy vehicles and many engineering and healthcare roles through an exam at an approved centre in India; the certificate is linked to the visa number and the visa is not stamped without it. Degrees for professional iqama titles are attested first by the issuing university, then the Indian MEA and finally the Saudi Cultural Attaché in New Delhi, and the profession on the iqama must match the qualification.
Indian ECR (Emigration Check Required) passport holders, generally those without a Class 10 certificate, need e-Migrate clearance and a contract registered by a recruiting agent licensed by the Ministry of External Affairs; the minimum referral wage for Saudi Arabia set by the Indian Embassy applies to their contracts. Nurses go through the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) Mumaris Plus classification and DataFlow verification before the visa.
Fees and who pays them
| Item | Fee | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Employment visa (single entry) | SAR 2,000 | Employer (Labour Law Article 40) |
| Enjaz application | About SAR 50 plus service | Worker, reimbursable |
| Wafid medical | INR 6,000 to 8,000 | Worker, reimbursable |
| Degree attestation | INR 3,000 to 10,000 | Worker, reimbursable |
| Professional Verification Program test | About INR 3,500 to 5,000 | Worker, reimbursable |
| VFS Tasheer biometrics and service | About INR 2,500 to 3,000 | Worker, reimbursable |
| Iqama | About SAR 650 a year | Employer |
| Work permit levy | SAR 800 a month (SAR 9,600 a year) | Employer |
| Medical insurance | SAR 500 to 2,000 a year | Employer |
Saudi Arabia has no income tax on salaries; the employer's levy is the main cost of hiring foreigners. Vistolane lists each fee at the official rate and marks who pays.
How the application runs, step by step
- 1
Offer and Qiwa contract
The employer issues the offer, uploads the electronic contract on Qiwa and obtains the visa authorisation number from its block visa.
- 2
Pre-checks in India
Enjaz form, Wafid medical, degree attestation, PVP test for skilled roles, Indian police clearance certificate, e-Migrate for ECR passports.
- 3
Stamping at VFS Tasheer
Appointment with passport, photos, Enjaz printout, contract, attested degree, medical and PVP certificates; biometrics; visa stamped in 3 to 7 working days.
- 4
Travel within 90 days
Enter on the employment visa; the employer collects the passport only for processing, not retention.
- 5
Iqama within 90 days of arrival
Second medical, Absher registration, biometrics, iqama card; register the contract on Qiwa and wages on the Wage Protection System.
Timeline for an Indian hire
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Block visa and authorisation | 1 to 4 weeks | Employer on Qiwa |
| Medical, attestation, PVP | 2 to 4 weeks | In parallel |
| Stamping | 3 to 7 working days | VFS Tasheer |
| Arrival | Within 90 days of stamping | Ticket paid by the employer |
| Iqama | Within 90 days of arrival | Then family and exit/re-entry possible |
Nurses and engineers with SCFHS or Saudi Council of Engineers registration should start classification 2 to 3 months before the visa; the PVP test slot is the other item to book early.
After arrival: iqama, transfers, family and leaving
The iqama is renewed yearly or every 2 years by the employer, and since the 2021 labour reforms workers may transfer to a new employer after 12 months without the old employer's consent (or earlier when wages are late or the contract ends), and may request exit and re-entry or final exit through Absher. Passport retention by employers is illegal; keep a copy and report issues to the Indian Embassy's labour wing or the Ministry's 19911 line. Wages must be paid through the Wage Protection System and end-of-service benefits accrue at half a month's wage a year for the first 5 years and a full month after.
Workers in eligible professions (engineer, accountant, doctor, manager and similar, not labourer or driver) with a salary of about SAR 5,000 or more sponsor spouses and children on the family residence visa, paying the SAR 400 a month dependant levy per person; the Saudi family route page covers visit and residence options. Long-term residents with high incomes or qualifications can move to Premium Residency, which removes the sponsor entirely.
Document checklist: applicant
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Passport valid 6 months, 2 blank pages | ECR or ECNR status noted |
| Enjaz application printout | With the visa authorisation number |
| Wafid (GAMCA) medical certificate | Approved clinic; valid 3 months |
| Degree and experience certificates, attested | MEA and Saudi Cultural Attaché |
| Professional Verification Program certificate | Skilled roles; linked to the visa number |
| Indian police clearance certificate | Issued within 6 months |
| Photos 4 by 6 cm, white background | Per Tasheer checklist |
Employer
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Visa authorisation from the block visa | Qiwa |
| Electronic employment contract | Profession, salary, benefits; Arabic and English |
| Company registration and Nitaqat band | Allows the nationality and profession |
ECR passports
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| e-Migrate emigration clearance | Through a registered recruiting agent |
| Contract at or above the Indian Embassy's minimum referral wage | Registered on e-Migrate |
Why applications on this route get refused, and the fix
Profession mismatch
Iqama title does not match the attested degree.
The fix. Ask the employer to issue the visa in a profession your qualification supports.
PVP not passed
No Professional Verification certificate for a listed trade.
The fix. Book the Takamol test early and retake if needed before stamping.
Medical unfit
Wafid result flags a condition.
The fix. Treat and retest where possible; some conditions are permanent bars.
Attestation incomplete
Degree lacks the Cultural Attaché stamp.
The fix. Complete university, MEA and Attaché attestation in that order.
e-Migrate clearance missing
ECR passport holder travelling without clearance.
The fix. Obtain clearance through a licensed agent; airlines will not board without it.
Official sources
Saudi Arabia employment visa and iqama questions
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