Saudi Arabia work visa from Pakistan
To work in Saudi Arabia you need a job offer and an employer-sponsored work visa, through a BE&OE-licensed Overseas Employment Promoter (OEP), the Overseas Employment Corporation, or direct employment that you register yourself. Before you travel you need a GAMCA medical booked on the official Wafid portal, often the SVP skills test, and Protector of Emigrants registration.
Last checked:
At a glance
- Main fee
- See the fees below
- Processing time
- Varies, see below
- Documents
- 11 on the list
- Your job offer and work visa should come through a BE&OE licensed Overseas Employment Promoter, or through direct employment registered with the BE&OE.
- You must register with the Protector of Emigrants before you travel.
- A medical examination at an approved centre is usually required.
- Never travel on a visit visa to work, and never pay without an official receipt.
Fees
| Fee | Official amount | About in PKR |
|---|---|---|
| Protector of Emigrants dues (OPF welfare fund, State Life insurance, emigration fee)Amounts are notified by BE&OE; verify current figures. | Amount not confirmed | |
| OEP service charges (capped by the government)Only when recruited through an OEP. Never pay more than the notified maximum and insist on a receipt; direct employment has no OEP charge. | Amount not confirmed | |
| Work visa and residence feesNormally paid by the employer under the destination's labour rules; verify. | Amount not confirmed |
Check the amount on the official source.
Official fee pages:Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (licensed OEPs, Protector of Emigrants)Saudi visa services (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Processing time
Not confirmed
Depends on the employer's visa processing, medical and Protector registration; often several weeks.
Official source: Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (licensed OEPs, Protector of Emigrants)Documents you need
From our draft document list for this visa. Your own list depends on your situation, so check the official source.
Usually needed
Passport
Valid for at least 6 months.
Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC)
Job offer / employment contract
Signed employment contract (Foreign Service Agreement) registered with the Protector.
Work visa / entry permit issued for the employer
Work visa / entry permit obtained by the employer.
GCC medical fitness report (GAMCA / Wafid)
GCC-approved medical fitness examination (GAMCA), booked and paid only on the official Wafid portal.
Protector of Emigrants registration (BE&OE)
Protector of Emigrants registration (done by the OEP or OEC, or by you through e-Protector for direct employment).
Polio vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA)
NIMS/NADRA vaccination certificate including polio, checked when you leave Pakistan (the old paper card is no longer accepted; the dose is usually needed 4 weeks to 12 months before travel). Verify current rules.
Other vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA, e.g. meningococcal ACYW, influenza)
Meningococcal (ACYW) and influenza vaccination on a NADRA-linked (NIMS) certificate: reported as enforced at Karachi airport for Saudi work-visa holders from 25 September 2026, with other airports expected to follow (verify).
Passport-size photograph (destination specification)
Needed in some situations
Degree certificate
For skilled job titles: degree attested by HEC, then an apostille from MOFA Pakistan (Saudi Arabia is a party to the Apostille Convention; verify current requirements).
Can support your application
Police character certificate
Police character certificate if the employer or visa category requires it.
How to apply, step by step
Use a lawful recruitment channel
Use a BE&OE-licensed Overseas Employment Promoter (check its licence number on the BE&OE list) or the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC). If you found the job yourself or through relatives or friends, it is direct employment: you register it with the Protector of Emigrants yourself (e-Protector on the BE&OE website). Never pay an unlicensed agent or sub-agent.
Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (licensed OEPs, Protector of Emigrants)Job offer and contract
The employer issues an offer and employment contract; with an OEP, the OEP arranges the demand and visa with the employer.
Saudi visa services (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)Medical examination
Book the GCC-approved medical examination (GAMCA) only on the official Wafid portal and pay only there; look-alike sites charge extra.
Wafid: GCC medical examination bookingSkills verification (if required)
Many occupations need the Saudi Skill Verification Program (SVP) test before the visa is issued (run in Pakistan with NAVTTC). Your OEP or employer will confirm whether it applies; book and pay only on the official SVP portal.
Skill Verification Program (SVP) InternationalVisa stamping
Your OEP (or, for direct employment, you or the employer's agent) submits the documents for the work visa through the Saudi visa system and its appointed service provider.
Saudi visa services (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)Protector of Emigrants registration
Register with the Protector of Emigrants before departure: a licensed OEP or the OEC does this for you; for direct employment you apply yourself through e-Protector on the BE&OE website. Pay the government dues (welfare fund, insurance) and get the protector registration.
Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (licensed OEPs, Protector of Emigrants)Pre-departure briefing and travel
Attend the briefing, keep copies of your contract and receipts, and travel on the issued visa.
Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (licensed OEPs, Protector of Emigrants)
Questions people ask
How long does a Saudi work visa take from Pakistan?
Depends on the employer's visa processing, medical and Protector registration; often several weeks.
Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (licensed OEPs, Protector of Emigrants) (opens in a new tab)What documents do I need for a Saudi work visa from Pakistan?
The usual documents are: Passport, Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC), Job offer / employment contract, Work visa / entry permit issued for the employer, GCC medical fitness report (GAMCA / Wafid), Protector of Emigrants registration (BE&OE), Polio vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA), Other vaccination certificate (NIMS/NADRA, e.g. meningococcal ACYW, influenza), and Passport-size photograph (destination specification). Depending on your situation, you may also need: Degree certificate.
Is the Saudi work visa open for Pakistanis?
Rules for particular jobs and quotas change, so check the current position with a licensed OEP and on official sources, not on social media posts. Never travel on a visit visa to work.
Saudi visa services (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) (opens in a new tab)How much does a Saudi work visa cost from Pakistan?
Work visa and residence fees are normally paid by the employer. You pay the Protector of Emigrants dues notified by the BE&OE and, if you are recruited through an OEP, its service charge, which the government caps. Never pay more than the notified maximum, and always get a receipt.
Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (licensed OEPs, Protector of Emigrants) (opens in a new tab)How do I check that an OEP is licensed?
Ask for the OEP’s licence number and check it on the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (BE&OE) list of licensed promoters. If you found the job yourself, it is direct employment: you register it with the Protector of Emigrants through e-Protector. Never pay an unlicensed agent or sub-agent.
Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (licensed OEPs, Protector of Emigrants) (opens in a new tab)Do I need the SVP test for a Saudi work visa?
Many occupations need the Saudi Skill Verification Program (SVP) test before the visa is issued. It runs in Pakistan with NAVTTC. Your OEP or employer will confirm whether it applies to your job; book and pay only on the official SVP portal.
Skill Verification Program (SVP) International (opens in a new tab)