🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia visas: requirements, costs, and processing times
Last verified: September 2, 2026
We track 3 Saudi Arabia visa routes: Domestic Worker Visa (Musaned), Premium Residency, and Work Visa (Iqama). Each is verified against the official government source for Bangladeshis, Indians, and Pakistanis.
Compare Saudi Arabia visa costs and processing times
| Visa | Gov. fee | Processing | Min. income | Job offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Worker Visa (Musaned)work | $300 | 4–10 weeks | — | Required |
| Premium Residencywork | $27,000 | 12–26 weeks | — | Not required |
| Work Visa (Iqama)work | $600 | 4–10 weeks | — | Required |
Amounts are approximate US dollar equivalents. A range means the figure differs by nationality.
Saudi Arabia visa types
Domestic Worker Visa (Musaned)
workSeparate route for domestic and household workers, processed through Saudi Arabia's Musaned platform rather than the standard Qiwa work-permit flow. Musaned exists to make the contract, wage and recruitment terms auditable, so insist on a Musaned-registered contract — it is your main protection against unlicensed brokers, which are the single biggest risk in this corridor. Domestic workers cannot sponsor family and the visa does not lead to residency. BMET clearance and a GAMCA medical are still mandatory.
Premium Residency
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.
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.
Saudi Arabia visa guides by nationality
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- How much does a Saudi Arabia work visa cost?
- Government fees are about $300 for the Domestic Worker Visa (Musaned), $27,000 for the Premium Residency, and $600 for the Work Visa (Iqama) (USD equivalents; fees can differ by nationality). Translations, medicals, and courier costs come on top.
- How long does a Saudi Arabia visa take to process?
- Typical processing is 4–10 weeks for the Domestic Worker Visa (Musaned), 12–26 weeks for the Premium Residency, and 4–10 weeks for the Work Visa (Iqama), plus the time needed to gather documents.
- Can I move to Saudi Arabia without a job offer?
- Yes. The Premium Residency does not require a job offer from an employer in Saudi Arabia.
- Which Saudi Arabia visas lead to permanent residency?
- The Premium Residency offers a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.
Always confirm requirements with the official government source linked on each visa page. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Browse visas for other countries.