What Is a Saudi Temporary Work Visa and Who Needs It?
July 18, 2025
Saudi Labor Law Essentials for UK Workers Moving to KSA
July 25, 2025
With Saudi Arabia emerging as a strong country in global business, many UK-based companies are looking to send their executives and teams to the Kingdom, whether for high-level meetings, strategic partnerships, or project work.
But before you start booking flights, it’s important to understand the visa landscape. Choosing the right visa doesn’t just save time, it ensures your travel is compliant and hassle-free.
Here’s a straightforward look at the most common visa options for business travellers from the UK to Saudi Arabia and when each one makes the most sense.
1. Electronic Visa Waiver (EVW)
The EVW offers a direct method for British passport holders to visit Saudi Arabia for business purposes without applying for a traditional visa.
- Stay Duration: Up to 6 months (single entry)
- Application Process: Online, at least 48 hours before travel
- Sponsor Required: No
- Purpose: Business meetings, conferences, or initial exploratory visits
This option is ideal for one-off trips where speed and simplicity are a priority. No in-person appointments are needed, and the entire process is managed online.
2. Business Visa (Single or Multi-Entry)
The standard Saudi business visa is the most common choice for professionals travelling for corporate engagements. It’s available in both single and multiple-entry formats.
- Single Entry: Valid for 3 months, up to 30 days’ stay
- Multiple Entry: Valid for up to 5 years, with 90 days allowed per visit
- Key Requirements:
- Invitation letter from a registered Saudi company
- Business letter from a UK employer (certified by the UK Chamber of Commerce)
- Valid passport and recent photographs
- Proof of business-related travel and health insurance
- Biometric appointment at the Tasheer Visa Centre in London (mandatory)
- Invitation letter from a registered Saudi company
This visa is well-suited for executives involved in active projects or regular meetings in the Kingdom. The multi-entry option is particularly useful for regional teams or senior staff who travel frequently.
3. Premium Residency
Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency scheme offers a longer-term solution for executives, investors, and business owners who want to establish a base in the Kingdom.
- No local sponsor required
- Residency Types:
- One-year renewable: SAR 100,000 (approx. £21,000 per year)
- Lifetime: SAR 800,000 (approx. £170,000 one-time fee)
- One-year renewable: SAR 100,000 (approx. £21,000 per year)
- Benefits:
- Freedom to live, work, and invest
- Ability to sponsor dependents
- No employer or Kafala system restrictions
- Freedom to live, work, and invest
This is an ideal route for C-suite executives, board members, or directors who intend to spend significant time in Saudi Arabia or oversee operations locally.
4. Work Visa and Iqama
When an employee is relocating to Saudi Arabia for a formal work assignment, they’ll need a work visa, followed by the issuance of a residency permit (Iqama).
- Sponsored by: A registered Saudi entity (branch, subsidiary, or partner)
- Requirements include:
- Employment contract
- Attested qualifications
- Medical exams and police clearance
- Biometric submission at the Tasheer Centre
- Employment contract
- Iqama: Issued upon arrival and allows the employee to live and work legally in the Kingdom
This route is essential for long-term projects or permanent assignments and involves a more complex, employer-led process.
Visa Comparison at a Glance
Visa Type | Best For | Validity | Stay Limit | Entry Type | Sponsor Needed |
EVW | One-off meetings or visits | 6 months | Up to 180 days | Single Entry | No |
Business Visa (Single) | Short-term project visits | 3 months | Up to 30 days | Single Entry | Yes |
Business Visa (Multi) | Frequent travel and ongoing work | Up to 5 years | 90 days per trip | Multi-Entry | Yes |
Premium Residency | Long-term presence, investors | 1 year / lifetime | N/A | Residency status | No |
Work Visa (Iqama) | Full-time employees, assignments | Based on contract | Long-term | Residency status | Yes |
For UK companies expanding into or engaging with Saudi Arabia, choosing the right visa pathway is more than a formality, it’s a key part of planning successful international operations.
Short trips can be handled easily with an EVW or single-entry business visa. But for senior leaders or frequent travellers, multi-entry visas or Premium Residency offer greater flexibility and control. For staff relocating long-term, the work visa and Iqama process ensures legal compliance and proper sponsorship.
By planning ahead and selecting the correct visa route, your team can travel confidently and focus on what really matters, growing your business in one of the region’s most dynamic markets.
