Immigration Pathways

Saudi Arabia hosts over 13 million foreign workers, making immigration one of the most frequently encountered areas of law in the Kingdom. The immigration system is governed by the Residency Regulations (Nidham al-Iqama) and administered by the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat), part of the Ministry of Interior. All foreign workers must hold a valid Iqama (residence permit) linked to a Saudi sponsor (employer or family member).

Saudi Arabia has undergone significant immigration reforms under Vision 2030. The Labour Reform Initiative (LRI), launched in March 2021, allows workers to change employers, exit and re-enter the country, and obtain exit/re-entry visas without employer consent. The Premium Residency program (Royal Decree of 2019) offers a path to long-term residence without an employer sponsor — either through an unlimited (permanent) residency for SAR 800,000 or an annual renewable residency for SAR 100,000/year.

Key government platforms include Absher (Ministry of Interior portal for visa and Iqama services), Muqeem (employer-side platform for managing worker visas), QIWA (Ministry of Human Resources platform for labour mobility), and Musaned (domestic worker recruitment platform). Most immigration transactions can now be completed online through these platforms.