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Getting a job in Saudi Arabia

Ahmed Hassan, 36. Civil Engineering Project Manager in Riyadh.

Ahmed joined a contractor delivering a Riyadh metro extension. Engineering roles in Saudi Arabia require professional accreditation, which added a step most other professions do not have.

From
Cairo, Egypt
Industry
Construction & Infrastructure
per month
SAR 22K ≈ $5.9K
Timeline
12–16 weeks
Visa route
Employer-sponsored work visa and Iqama
Ahmed Hassan at work
“Get the Saudi Council of Engineers accreditation moving the same week you sign. Everything else waits for it.”

Step by step

  • You
  • Employer
  • Government
  1. 1

    Offer and Qiwa contract

    1–2 weeksEmployer

    After the offer, the employer created a contract on the Qiwa platform. Ahmed reviewed basic salary, housing and transport allowances, and the 90-day probation clause before accepting.

  2. 2

    Professional accreditation

    3–6 weeksYou

    Engineers must register with the Saudi Council of Engineers. He submitted his degree, experience letters and passport for verification and, depending on grade, a professional exam.

    Cost: about USD 300 including verification

  3. 3

    Visa authorisation and application

    2–3 weeksEmployer

    The employer obtained a visa authorisation from the Ministry of Human Resources. Ahmed then completed the application through the authorised visa centre with his attested degree and police clearance.

  4. 4

    Medical exam in home country

    1 weekYou

    Pre-departure medical at an approved centre in Cairo. Results are linked electronically to the visa file.

    Cost: about USD 100

  5. 5

    Visa issued and arrival

    1–2 weeksGovernment

    Single-entry work visa issued. On arrival the employer has a limited window to apply for the residence permit.

  6. 6

    Iqama and Absher

    1–3 weeksEmployer

    Biometrics taken, Iqama issued digitally and linked to an Absher account. Employer registered him with GOSI and the medical insurance provider.

  7. 7

    Housing, bank and family visa

    4–8 weeksYou

    Rented a three-bedroom flat in Al Malqa through Ejar, opened a bank account, then applied for a permanent family visit visa for his wife and two children.

Employment journeys

All journeys
Priya Nair, Senior Software Engineer

United Arab Emirates · Dubai

Priya Nair, Senior Software Engineer

Priya moved from a product company in Bengaluru to a Dubai fintech. Her employer sponsored the work permit and residence visa; she handled degree attestation, housing and banking herself.

per month
AED 28K
Timeline
10–14 weeks
Maria Santos, Registered Nurse (ICU)

Qatar · Doha

Maria Santos, Registered Nurse (ICU)

Maria was recruited by a Doha hospital through a licensed agency. Healthcare is the longest route on this site because licensing has to finish before the visa can start.

per month
QAR 11K
Timeline
16–24 weeks
James Whitfield, Compliance Manager

Bahrain · Manama

James Whitfield, Compliance Manager

James relocated with his family to join a retail bank in Manama. Bahrain was the fastest process of the six countries, largely because LMRA handles permits on one platform.

per month
BHD 2.4K
Timeline
6–9 weeks