How to Get Saudi Arabia Work Visa from Pakistan 2025 – New Rules & Process (1400 words)

In 2025, Saudi Arabia remains the number-one overseas employment destination for Pakistanis. More than 1.2 million Pakistanis are expected to go on work visa this year under Vision 2030 mega projects (NEOM, Red Sea, Qiddiya, Riyadh Metro, etc.).

The complete process has changed a lot since 2024 because of the new QIWA platform and skill verification rules. This latest 2025 guide explains everything step-by-step with new fees, timelines, and important warnings.

Overview — Saudi Arabia Work Visa 2025

Saudi Arabia continues to be a major destination for Pakistani workers seeking employment abroad. However, in 2025 the visa process has become more regulated. This guide walks you through the latest requirements, eligibility, necessary documents, and a step-by-step process you must follow to get a valid work visa from Pakistan.

Types of Work Visas for Pakistanis

Depending on the job type and sponsorship, Pakistanis may apply under different visa categories:

• Employment Visa (Iqama / Standard Work Visa) — the most common route for skilled / unskilled workers employed by a Saudi sponsor.
• Domestic Worker / Household Visa — for housemaids, drivers, cooks, guards, etc., under a household sponsor.
• Skilled-Worker Visa (for professionals) — for engineers, health professionals, technicians, etc., under relevant skill-based classification.Free-Visa / Company-Visa (Self-employment / informal labour market) — though offered sometimes, this route is risky and discouraged by many agencies.

 Important: There is no legal way to work in Saudi Arabia on a tourist or visit visa. Always obtain a proper employment/work visa before moving.

Basic Eligibility & Requirements (2025)

To apply for a legal Saudi work visa from Pakistan in 2025, these are the general prerequisites:

• A valid Pakistani passport with sufficient validity (usually at least 6 – 24 months).
• A job offer from a Saudi employer or sponsor – without this, you cannot legally obtain a work visa.
• Medical fitness certificate from an approved medical center (GAMCA / Saudi-approved).
• Attested academic / professional certificates (if job demands specific skill / qualification).
• Police clearance / character certificate, especially for certain jobs.
• Recent passport-sized photographs (white background).

Additionally, under 2025’s updated labour regulations:

• For skilled / high-skilled jobs: depending on role (e.g. engineer, doctor, IT specialist) — relevant degrees, certifications, and work experience are needed; salary expectations need to meet thresholds under the new classification.
• For basic / unskilled labour visas: less formal education may be acceptable, but employer must sponsor you legally.

Documents Required (For Pakistani Applicants)

Document	Purpose / Note
Passport (valid for 6+ months)	Identity + travel document
CNIC & B-form (if needed)	Verification of identity and nationality
Signed Job Offer / Employment Contract from Saudi employer or sponsor	Proof of employment and visa sponsorship
Visa Authorization Slip / Visa e-code (issued by employer through Saudi system)	Required for visa application/stamping process
Medical fitness certificate (from approved GAMCA / Wafid centre)	Health clearance — mandatory for visa issuance
Educational / Professional Certificates (if job requires specific skills)	For skilled / professional roles — must be attested appropriately
Work-experience certificates (if applicable)	For jobs requiring prior experience
Police clearance / Character certificate (if required by employer or consulate)	For security & background check
Passport-size photos (white background)	For visa application paperwork

Step-by-Step Application & Visa Process (Pakistan → Saudi Arabia)

Here’s the typical sequence you follow to obtain a Saudi work visa from Pakistan in 2025:

Step 1 — Secure a Genuine Job Offer / Employer Sponsorship

• You must have a legitimate job offer from a Saudi company or employer/sponsor. Many applicants use licensed Pakistani Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs).
• Employer in Saudi registers demand on the official platform and obtains a Visa Authorization Number / e-code / visa slip for you.

Step 2 — Undergo Medical Fitness Test (GAMCA / Wafid)

• Visit an approved medical center for required medical examination (check for communicable diseases, general fitness).
• Medical certificate must be valid (often within 30–90 days) when visa stamping.

Step 3 — Prepare & Attest Required Documents

• Gather passport, CNIC copies, job contract, visa slip, medical certificate, education/professional credentials (attested if required), photos, etc. If working in specialized/skilled role — ensure degrees and certificates are properly attested by relevant authorities and, if required, by Saudi agencies.

Step 4 — Submit Visa Application & Biometric Enrollment

• Visit authorized visa processing/issuing center in Pakistan (e.g. visa-centres, labour-visa centres) to submit documents, pay any required processing fees, and provide biometric data (fingerprints etc.).
• The employer or sponsor should have initiated the visa application on Saudi side so that your application corresponds with that visa request.

Step 5 — Visa Approval & Passport Stamping

• Upon approval, visa will be stamped into your passport granting work permission for Saudi Arabia. Processing time may vary (often a few weeks depending on workload and documentation).
• Once stamped, you can book your flight and travel. Make sure you travel within validity window stipulated in visa (often 60 days or as given by sponsor)

Step 6 — Arrival in Saudi Arabia & Iqama / Residency Permit

• After arrival, your Saudi employer will help register you for a residency permit (Iqama) under Saudi labour laws. Work on a valid work visa + Iqama is mandatory.

Costs & Common Fees (2025 Estimates) — What to Expect

The total cost depends on your job type (skilled/unskilled), agency charges (if you use one), and processing requirements. Approximate expectations:

Category / Cost Component	Estimated Fee / Notes
Medical & medical-tests (GAMCA / Wafid)	Paid by applicant in many cases
Visa processing / stamping fees	Vary — depends on visa type & processing center
Document attestation (if required)	For skilled jobs — may include attestation costs
Travel / Airfare	Often covered by employer/sponsor (in many legitimate offers)
Agency / Recruitment-Service fee (if using agent)	Varies — be sure agent is licensed OEP / verify fees before paying. Overpaying or fake agents are common scams.

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Common Mistakes & New 2025-Era Rules to Watch Out For

• No visa without a sponsor / employer — applying on your own (tourist visit, visit visa, free visa) for work is illegal and risky.
• Strict medical & document rules — medical test must be from an approved center; educational/professional certificates for skilled jobs must be attested properly.
• Accurate classification under Saudi labour categories — Saudi now uses a classification system for foreign workers (skilled / high-skilled / basic) which determines eligibility, salary thresholds, and visa legitimacy. (
• Beware of “Free Visa / Company Visa” offers — many such offers are informal and may lead to problems (no lawful status, job insecurity, risk of deportation).
• Overstaying or working under wrong visa = illegal — always ensure your visa + Iqama is valid.

4. Government-Approved Charges 2025 (Never Pay More)

Category	Maximum Charges (PKR)	Who Pays
Service charges	25,000–45,000	Worker
Air ticket	65,000–90,000	Employer (mandatory)
Medical + insurance	Covered by employer	Employer
Visa fee	100% employer	Employer
Skill verification	3,000–6,000	Worker

5. Salary Packages 2025 (After New Rules)

Profession	Basic Salary (SAR)	Total Monthly (with food + overtime)	Yearly Saving (PKR)
General Labour / Construction	1,500–2,500	3,000–5,000	10–18 lakh
Driver (Private / Company)	2,500–4,500	4,000–7,000	15–30 lakh
Mason / Shuttering Carpenter	2,200–3,800	5,000–9,000	20–40 lakh
Steel Fixer / Electrician	2,500–4,500	6,000–12,000	25–50 lakh
Nurse	4,500–8,000	7,000–15,000	40–80 lakh
Civil Engineer	8,000–25,000	15,000–40,000	1–3 crore

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Final Advice — What You Should Do Before Proceeding

• Always demand a legal job contract and visa authorization from your employer before doing any medical tests or paperwork.
• Use only licensed Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs) if you cannot get a job direct — check their credentials.
• Keep copies of all documents, including visa slip, contract, medical report, passport-stamping receipt.
• Do not trust agents who ask for large upfront payments. Legitimate costs are limited to medical test, visa processing fee, document attestation, etc.
• After arrival in Saudi Arabia, ensure that your Iqama / residency permit is processed immediately.
• Always respect and follow Saudi labour and residency laws — working under tourist/visit visa or informal visa can lead to deportation or ban.

Conclusion — Is It Still Viable to Get a Saudi Work Visa from Pakistan in 2025?

Yes — but only if you follow the legitimate and legal process. With renewed regulations and stricter checks in 2025, Saudi Arabia expects proper documentation, skill-verification (especially for professional roles), medical fitness, and sponsorship by a genuine employer. If you stick to the rules, use authorized channels, and avoid unverified agents, you can successfully obtain a work visa and start working legally in Saudi Arabia.