Saudi Arabia Work Visa Process for Pakistanis: A Complete Guide

The process starts in Saudi Arabia, not Pakistan. The employer issues a demand letter stating the trades and number of workers needed, plus a power of attorney authorising the agency to recruit on its behalf. These are attested by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and the Pakistan embassy before recruitment can begin.

The licensed agency registers the demand with the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment. This is the legal permission to recruit for that specific job order. Without it, no recruitment is lawful and this is the first thing that separates a licensed OEP from an unlicensed agent.

Candidates are shortlisted and, for skilled trades, tested. NAVTTC (National Vocational & Technical Training Commission) trade tests verify that a welder can weld and an electrician can wire. Some employers send their own technical staff to conduct trade tests directly. Passing this stage is what turns an applicant into a selected worker. Every shortlist comes through candidate screening and trade tests. For some trades, such as electricians, masons and steel fixers, Saudi Arabia also requires a skills verification test before the work visa is issued.

Every Gulf work visa requires a medical at a GAMCA/Wafid-approved centre. You cannot use your own doctor, and a private report will be rejected. The exam screens for infectious diseases and general fitness, and results are valid for three months. A "Fit" result is required to continue; an "Unfit" result stops the process here. Book the GAMCA / Wafid medical only at an approved centre.

Your certificates must be attested through a chain: academic documents through IBCC (for boards) or HEC (for degrees), then final attestation by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and Saudi Embassy attestation. This is the stage most likely to add time. Our document attestation service handles this chain for IMC candidates.

The visa application is submitted through Enjaz, Saudi Arabia's electronic visa platform, using the employer's block visa number. Government fees are paid here. Once processed, the visa is stamped into the passport. Stamping typically takes a few working days after the file is complete. To check your visa status after stamping, see our Enjaz visa check guide (coming soon).

You attend an in-person appointment at a Tasheer visa centre (walk-ins are not accepted; you need a booking). The centre collects fingerprints and a facial scan linked to your visa record, and you physically submit your passport and document packet. The centre charges its own service fee, separate from the Enjaz government fees. Biometrics are given at a Tasheer appointment.

Before you can legally leave Pakistan, you need emigration clearance from the Protector of Emigrants, recorded on your passport. This is mandatory for every Pakistani worker going abroad for employment, and it is only available through a BEOE-licensed OEP. This clearance is your legal protection: it means your job and contract are on record with the government. At the Protector of Emigrants registration stage, you also complete the mandatory insurance and give your bank account details.

Before departure, workers receive a briefing on Saudi laws, workplace rules, culture, and their rights under the contract.

You travel on a visa valid for 90 days from issue. After you arrive, your employer registers your Iqama (residence permit) within 90 days. The Iqama becomes your main identity document in the Kingdom and is tied to your employer as sponsor. FIA immigration staff check work-visa travellers at the airport, so carry your Protector stamp and all your papers. IMC arranges travel and ticketing, and our support after arrival continues while your Iqama is issued.