The iqama is the residence permit that allows a non-Saudi to live and work in the Kingdom, issued once a work visa holder has entered the country and completed onboarding formalities. It underpins nearly everything else — banking, renting property, mobile contracts and healthcare access — so understanding how it is issued and maintained matters even though the detailed procedures and any associated government fees are set and updated by the authorities, not by any employer or portal.
Who sponsors the process
Saudi Arabia operates an employer-sponsorship model. A licensed company registered on Qiwa (qiwa.sa) applies for the work visa on the candidate's behalf, and after entry manages the iqama issuance and renewal through the same platform, working alongside the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) and the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) via the Absher and Muqeem digital services.
Statuses candidates are asked about
| Status | What it means | Effect on your application |
|---|---|---|
| Transferable iqama | You already hold a valid Saudi iqama that can move to a new sponsor via Qiwa, where conditions allow | Strongest position — least delay and cost for the employer |
| Iqama tied to current sponsor | Your residency is linked to your present employer | New employer must plan around a lawful transfer or release |
| Visit visa (inside the Kingdom) | You are present but not authorised to work | A work visa/iqama must still be arranged before you can start |
| Applying from abroad | No Saudi iqama yet | Employer carries the full visa-sponsorship process and timeline |
| Saudi national / GCC national | No work visa required | No sponsorship needed |
The general sequence
1Receive a written offer
From a company registered to sponsor work visas, stating the role, salary and terms.
2Provide documents
Passport copy, photographs, and attested qualification or experience certificates as required for your profession. Provide these only to the employer or their authorised representative.
3Employer processes the visa via Qiwa
The sponsoring company submits and manages the work-visa application through the Qiwa platform.
4Entry and medical/biometric formalities
Completed on arrival or shortly after, according to current MHRSD and Jawazat requirements.
5Iqama issuance
Once formalities are complete, the iqama is issued and linked to your sponsoring employer; you can check and manage many related services via Absher and Muqeem.
Fees: what is normal and what is not
Government charges tied to sponsoring a foreign worker are generally the employer's responsibility. You may legitimately cover your own personal costs — your own passport renewal, document attestation in your home country, or travel where the offer specifies it. You should not pay any individual or 'consultant' for the visa, the iqama or the offer itself.
- Normal: your own passport costs, personal document attestation, and clearly agreed personal travel.
- Not normal: paying anyone for the work visa, the iqama, or a guaranteed job offer.
- Not normal: transferring money to a personal account for any part of the sponsorship process.
- Not normal: an employer withholding your passport without lawful basis.
If a step feels wrong, stop, do not send money or original documents, and verify directly with MHRSD (hrsd.gov.sa) or Qiwa (qiwa.sa) rather than with the person contacting you.
Common questions
Can I apply for a Saudi work visa myself?
No. Work visas are sponsored and filed by a registered employer through Qiwa. A candidate does not self-apply or purchase a work visa independently.
What is a transferable iqama?
It means an existing, valid Saudi iqama can be moved to a new sponsoring employer through Qiwa, subject to the conditions in force at the time. It significantly speeds up hiring because the new employer avoids the full overseas-visa process.
What are Absher and Muqeem for?
Absher is the Saudi government's digital services platform used for many personal and residency transactions; Muqeem is the linked service that expatriates and their sponsors use for iqama and dependents' status. Check absher.sa for the current service list.
How long does the visa and iqama process take?
It varies by role, nationality and the employer's own processing, and the authorities set the actual timelines, so we do not publish a fixed number. Ask your employer for their expected timeline in writing.