adminOn the off chance that you are anticipating moving to Saudi Arabia to work, this guide covers all that you want to be aware of getting a work grant. Once, ex-pat laborers ran to Saudi Arabia in huge numbers, with the oil-rich nation flaunting in excess of 10 million unfamiliar specialists. Notwithstanding, now that figure is dropping at a disturbing rate. 1.1 million ex-taps left among 2017 and the second from last quarter of 2019, as indicated by insights. For the individuals who are thinking about a transition to the Realm, be that as it may, this guide incorporates the accompanying data:
- Working in Saudi Arabia
- Work visas in Saudi Arabia
- Other types of work permits in Saudi Arabia
- Applying for a work permit in Saudi Arabia
- Costs of work permits in Saudi Arabia
- Changing or renewing work permits in Saudi Arabia
- Working without a visa in Saudi Arabia
- Useful resources
Working in Saudi Arabia
The ex-pat exodus previously mentioned comes amid the Saudi government’s attempts to diversify the country’s economy beyond oil and increase employment opportunities for Saudi nationals.
As part of this drive, the government has increased the cost of living for foreign workers by introducing an annual fee for their dependents. It has also set restrictions on the professions ex-pats can work in.
Work Permits in Saudi Arabia
To work in Saudi Arabia, you will at last need a home license (Iqama), which permits you to work for a particular measure of time (as long as two years).
Anybody moving to Saudi Arabia for work requirements to have a Saudi business who can go about as their support. Moreover, the organization should have visa endorsement from the Saudi Service of Work to utilize unfamiliar nationals.
The initial step of getting an Iqama is to get a work visa. Your boss should apply for this visa for your benefit; after endorsement, you can enter the nation and begin working.
In no less than 90 days of your appearance, your manager should apply for a home grant, which likewise incorporates a work license. The home grant goes about as the standard type of ID in Saudi Arabia, so you will not have the option to embrace undertakings, for example, opening a financial balance without one.
You ought to convey your Iqama with you consistently. Assuming you neglect to introduce your card when mentioned, you could be fined. The Iqama is restricted to a term of a couple of years (contingent upon the length of your work contract), after which it should be recharged by your boss.
What Does a Work Permit in Saudi Arabia Look Like?
Your Iqama card will include the following details:
- name
- nationality
- date of birth
- employer and job title
- unique Iqama number
- issue and expiry date
Other Types of Work Permits in Saudi Arabia
If you are moving to Saudi Arabia to work for the medium or long term, you will need to get an Iqama. For short-term visitors, there are some other options, as follows.
Business Visit Visa
This visa allows you to conduct business transactions with a Saudi company. This is useful for people offering short-term services and limits the type of work you can conduct things such as holding meetings.
To get a business visit visa you will first need a letter of invitation from a Saudi sponsor. The cost is $54 (for a single entry) or $134 (for multiple entries) for US citizens or £49/£106 for UK citizens. Processing time is up to seven working days.
Work Visit Visa
This visa theoretically allows employees from foreign businesses to work temporarily in Saudi Arabia, for a period of 30 to 90 days.
In October 2019, the Saudi government suspended work visit visas. It is anticipated that the government will introduce a new temporary work visa in the coming months (December 2019).
In the meantime, ex-pats looking to conduct full business activities (beyond those permitted by a business visa) need to obtain a residence permit.
Family Visas
It is feasible to enroll relatives on your Iqama, notwithstanding, rules presented by the public authority in 2017 have made this impressively more costly.
Unfamiliar specialists with subordinate relatives presently need to pay a month to month demand for every relative. As of July 2019, the ongoing duty is SAR 300 for each reliant, albeit this will ascend to SAR 400 for every ward in 2020.
Family members must obtain permission from the authorities before working in Saudi Arabia.
Premium Residency Iqama
The premium residency Iqama, also known as the Saudi Arabia green card, offers ex-pats permanent residency in the state without the need for a sponsor.
The program offers permanent residency for SAR 800,000 or an annual renewable residency for SAR 100,000.
The premium system launched in June 2019, and Saudi media agencies claim that ex-pats of 27 different nationalities applied by mid-October.
Applying For a Work Permit in Saudi Arabia
Your employer should deal with the Iqama application process on your behalf. However, you will need to supply a range of documents, including the following:
- your passport
- two passport-sized photographs of yourself
- two passport-sized photographs of your employer
- a letter from your employer/visa sponsor, which has been certified by the Chamber of Commerce as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- a signed employment contract
- certificates of academic and professional qualifications
- an up-to-date police report detailing any convictions
- a medical report from a licensed physician
Before you can be issued a permit you will need to have your fingerprints taken and undergo a medical examination. This is required to ensure you don’t have any contagious illnesses such as HIV. You can review the status of your Iqama on the Ministry of Interior website.
Costs of Work Permits in Saudi Arabia
Your boss ought to take care of the expense of your home grant. The all out expense relies upon the level of Saudi nationals that your organization utilizes, nonetheless.
On the off chance that over half of representatives are Saudi nationals, the general expense will be SAR 7,200. This is comprised of SAR 750 for the Iqama, SAR 6,000 for the work license, and SAR 450 for protection.
Assuming that the organization has over half ostracize laborers, the expense ascends to SAR 8,400, with the work grant charge expanding to SAR 7,200. The public authority for the most part audits these expenses routinely.
Changing or Renewing Work Permits in Saudi Arabia
The obligation regarding restoring your Iqama falls on your boss. The organization ought to begin this cycle somewhat early, as fines will be collected in the event that you neglect to restore it before your ongoing license lapses.
Most of the restoration interaction can be attempted by your organization on the web, despite the fact that you should sit the clinical assessment again before your license is given.
Critically, your Iqama is locked to the organization which goes about as your support. Subsequently, if you need to move between two Saudi bosses, you should get a no-protest endorsement from the business you are wanting to leave.
Working Without a Visa in Saudi Arabia
The punishments for working wrongfully in Saudi Arabia can be extreme. People without a work visa might need to pay a fine of up to SAR 10,000 and are likewise prone to confront capture and removal.
In the event that your manager neglects to apply for a work visa, they can confront a fine of up to SAR 100,000 and furthermore have their exchange permit renounced.
Useful Resources
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