🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia work visas for Pakistanis 2026
Last verified: September 2, 2026
Pakistanis moving to Saudi Arabia from Pakistan have 2 main visa routes: Saudi Work Visa (Iqama) and Premium Residency (Skilled Professional). The fastest is the Saudi Work Visa (Iqama) at 4–8 weeks. 1 of them needs no job offer. Every requirement below links to the official government source.
Just visiting? Saudi Arabia tourist visa for Pakistanis covers tourism, family visits, conferences and business trips.
Compare Saudi Arabia visas for Pakistanis: cost, processing time, and requirements
| Visa | Processing | Gov. fee | Job offer | Family | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Work Visa (Iqama)work | 4–8 weeks | $600 | Required | Yes | No |
| Premium Residency (Skilled Professional)work | 12–26 weeks | $27,000 | Not required | Yes | Yes |
Saudi Arabia visa guides for Pakistanis
Saudi Work Visa (Iqama)
workEmployer-sponsored work permit for Saudi Arabia. Your employer must first secure a block visa quota through the Qiwa platform before you can apply — there is no self-sponsored route. Most of the effort falls on the Pakistan side: a Wafid/GAMCA medical at an approved centre, BEOE protector registration, MOFA attestation of your degree and contract, and for skilled trades a NAVTTC trade test. Once you arrive, your employer converts the entry visa into an Iqama (residence permit) within 90 days.
Premium Residency (Skilled Professional)
workSaudi Arabia's sponsor-free long-term residency, often called the Saudi Green Card. The skilled-professional track needs at least a bachelor's degree, three or more years of relevant experience, and a recommendation from an approved Saudi employer, and targets executive leadership, healthcare, science and research. Note the 2026 rule change: Premium Residency holders must now obtain a separate work permit before starting any employment. Temporary permits start around SAR 100,000; the permanent permit is SAR 800,000.
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- Can Pakistan citizens move to Saudi Arabia?
- Yes. Pakistan citizens have 2 main routes into Saudi Arabia: the Saudi Work Visa (Iqama) and the Premium Residency (Skilled Professional). Each has its own requirements, fees, and processing time, compared on this page.
- What is the fastest Saudi Arabia visa for Pakistanis?
- The Saudi Work Visa (Iqama) typically processes in 4–8 weeks, the shortest of the 2 routes we track. Add time for gathering documents, translations, and apostilles.
- Can Pakistanis 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 Pakistanis?
- 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 Pakistanis 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 Pakistanis?
- The Premium Residency (Skilled Professional) offers a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.
- How much does a Saudi Arabia work visa cost for Pakistanis?
- Government fees for Pakistanis are about $600 for the Saudi Work Visa (Iqama) and $27,000 for the Premium Residency (Skilled Professional) (USD equivalents). Translations, apostilles, medicals, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- How long does a Saudi Arabia work visa take for Pakistanis?
- Typical processing is 4–8 weeks for the Saudi Work Visa (Iqama) and 12–26 weeks for the Premium Residency (Skilled Professional), counted from the date you apply. Add time for gathering documents.