A Saudi work visa (permanent, temporary or seasonal) is requested by a Saudi employer through Qiwa/MOFA and then issued to the worker. For many skilled trades it is linked to passing the Professional Verification (skills test) in Pakistan. Before departure, Pakistani workers must register with the Bureau of Emigration and get the Protector stamp.
Validity / stayDepends on the contract and visa type (permanent, temporary or seasonal); not officially stated as a fixed period
Official fees (approx.)PKR 7,200
Documents9 items
KSA Visa lists three work visa types: Permanent Work Visa (long-term contracts), Temporary Work Visa (short-term contracts) and Seasonal Work Visa (seasonal jobs such as harvests or tourism seasons).
- The employer starts the process. You cannot apply for a work visa on your own.
- Under HRSD's Professional Verification programme, work visas for targeted skilled occupations are linked to passing a practical and theoretical test at an approved centre in your country (svp.qiwa.sa). It is being rolled out gradually by country.
- Professional accreditation also covers qualification checks for higher-skilled groups.
- Work only for the sponsoring employer, in the occupation on your visa.
Steps from Pakistan:
- Get an offer from a Saudi employer, directly or through a BEOE-licensed Overseas Employment Promoter. Never pay unlicensed agents.
- Take the skills test if your trade requires it, and the medical exam at an approved centre.
- The employer issues the visa and it is processed for your passport.
- Register with the Protectorate of Emigrants. Pay the welfare fund, State Life insurance and registration fees, and get the Protector stamp before flying.
Other fees and options (not included in the fee total):
- BEOE: Registration fee (direct employment): 2,500 PKR
- OEP service charges (only if hired through a licensed promoter; Rs 6,000 for processing cases): 15,000 PKR
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Converted at today's exchange rate. Embassies and visa centres may use their own rates. Estimate your total cost
This summary is for guidance. Requirements can change at short notice; always confirm on the official website before you apply.
Common refusal reasons & how to avoid them
Name mismatch between passport and supporting documents
Gulf immigration systems such as UAE ICP and Saudi platforms match names and details exactly against your passport. Differences in spelling, order of names or a missing surname between the passport, CNIC, attested degree or sponsor documents can cause automatic rejection or long delays.
How to fix it: Make sure every document uses exactly the same name and date of birth as your passport. If your CNIC or passport has errors, correct them through NADRA or the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports before applying. Ask your sponsor or employer to enter your name exactly as it appears in the passport's machine-readable zone. Get attested documents reissued if the name differs significantly.
Sponsor or employer not eligible
Gulf work and residence visas depend on the sponsor. If the employer or family sponsor has unpaid fines, labour violations, an expired trade licence, quota limits, or does not meet salary conditions for family visas, the application can be rejected even when your own documents are fine.
How to fix it: Ask your employer or sponsor to check their status with the immigration or labour authority and resolve problems before resubmitting. Verify that the employer is genuine and licensed, and use Overseas Employment Promoters registered with the Bureau of Emigration. Never pay agents for so-called guaranteed visas. For family visas, the sponsor should confirm they meet the current salary and housing requirements.
Previous violation or ban
Previous overstays, absconding reports filed by an employer, unpaid fines or deportation can create an entry ban or block in Gulf countries. These records are checked when any new visa is applied for, and the system may reject the application automatically until the issue is resolved.
How to fix it: Check your status through official government channels or with the help of your new sponsor before applying. Clear any fines and ask whether an absconding case can be cancelled or a ban lifted. If a ban exists, get advice from a qualified lawyer in that country rather than an agent. Answer honestly about past violations; attempting entry with a changed name or new passport can make matters worse.
Documents not attested
Many Gulf work visas and professional licences require degrees and certificates to be attested in Pakistan and by the destination country's embassy or ministry. Missing, incomplete or wrongly attested documents lead to rejection of the work permit or delays in residence processing.
How to fix it: Get your degree verified by HEC or the relevant board, then attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then by the embassy of the destination country, and finally by that country's foreign ministry if required. Start early, as the process can take weeks. Use only official channels and never buy attestation stamps. Keep copies of every attested page with your application.
Incomplete application
Gulf visit and tourist visa systems reject applications with missing or poor quality photographs, unclear passport copies, missing bookings, or sponsor documents that do not meet requirements. Passports with less than six months' validity are also commonly rejected. The system often refuses rather than asking for more.
How to fix it: Use the official portal or authorised agent checklist for your visa type and follow it exactly. Upload a clear colour passport copy and photographs meeting the stated size and background rules. Include confirmed hotel and return flight bookings, or the host's residence documents for family visits. Check passport validity is at least six months. Recheck everything before submission and keep payment receipts.
Unexplained or insufficient funds
Officers look for a steady financial history, not a snapshot. A large deposit shortly before applying looks like borrowed money parked to pass the funds check. If the source is unclear, they cannot be sure the money is really yours or available for the trip, so they conclude you have not shown sufficient means.
How to fix it: Keep money in your account for at least three to six months before reapplying so the statement shows a natural pattern. If a large deposit is genuine, such as a property sale, gift or bonus, attach proof: sale deed, gift deed with the giver's statement, or employer letter. Explain the deposit in one clear paragraph of your cover letter. Never borrow money to show and return it later; officers recognise this pattern and it damages credibility.
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