🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia visas for Indians
Last verified: September 2, 2026
Indians moving to Saudi Arabia have 2 main visa routes: Saudi Work Visa (Iqama) and Premium Residency (Skilled Professional). The fastest is the Saudi Work Visa (Iqama) at 4–10 weeks. 1 of them needs no job offer. Every requirement below links to the official government source.
Compare Saudi Arabia visas
| Visa | Processing | Gov. fee | Job offer | Family | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Work Visa (Iqama)work | 4–10 weeks | $600 | Required | Yes | No |
| Premium Residency (Skilled Professional)work | 12–26 weeks | $27,000 | Not required | Yes | Yes |
Saudi Arabia visa guides for Indians
Saudi Work Visa (Iqama)
workEmployer-sponsored work permit; there is no self-sponsored route. Your Saudi employer secures a block visa quota through the Qiwa platform before you can apply. On the India side the decisive question is your passport status: if it is stamped ECR (Emigration Check Required), you must obtain emigration clearance through the eMigrate portal because Saudi Arabia is one of the 18 notified ECR countries — travelling for work without it means being stopped at immigration. If you passed Class 10 you are normally eligible for a non-ECR passport, which removes this step entirely and is worth doing before you start. You will also need a Wafid/GAMCA medical at an approved centre and MEA attestation of your degree and contract. Your employer converts the entry visa into an Iqama within 90 days of arrival.
Premium Residency (Skilled Professional)
workSaudi Arabia's sponsor-free long-term residency, often called the Saudi Green Card. The skilled-professional track requires a bachelor's degree or higher, three or more years of relevant experience, and a recommendation from an approved Saudi entity, targeting executive leadership, healthcare, science and research. Note the 2026 rule change: Premium Residency alone no longer authorises employment, so you must obtain a separate work permit before starting any job. Temporary permits start around SAR 100,000 and the permanent permit is SAR 800,000. It lets you sponsor your own family, run businesses, open bank accounts and buy property outside the restricted zones near the holy sites.
Not sure which visa fits?
Answer 6 questions and see every Saudi Arabia visa you qualify for — free.
Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- What is the fastest Saudi Arabia visa for Indians?
- The Saudi Work Visa (Iqama) typically processes in 4–10 weeks, the shortest of the 2 routes we track. Add time for gathering documents, translations, and apostilles.
- Can Indians move to Saudi Arabia without a job offer?
- Yes. The Premium Residency (Skilled Professional) does not require a job offer from a Saudi Arabia employer.
- What is the cheapest Saudi Arabia visa for Indians?
- The Saudi Work Visa (Iqama) has the lowest government fee at about $600. Translations, apostilles, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- Which Saudi Arabia visas let Indians bring family?
- The Saudi Work Visa (Iqama) and the Premium Residency (Skilled Professional) allow accompanying family members with additional documentation.
- Which Saudi Arabia visas lead to permanent residency for Indians?
- The Premium Residency (Skilled Professional) offers a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.