Getting a Saudi work visa can feel like a maze of unfamiliar terms: Qiwa, GAMCA, BEOE, Tasheer, especially if this is your first time applying. This guide walks through the entire process in order, so you know exactly what happens next and how long each stage typically takes.
Before anything else: you need a verified job offer
This is the single most important thing to understand about the Saudi visa process. There is no work visa without a job offer from a licensed Saudi employer. If anyone offers to get you a Saudi visa guaranteed before you have a signed offer letter, that is not how the system works. See the scam warning section below.
The 7 steps
- Secure a verified job offer. Your employer (or a licensed recruitment agency working on their behalf) sends you an offer letter and employment contract. Read the contract carefully. Salary, accommodation, contract duration, and job title should all be clearly stated before you agree to anything.
- Your employer files the visa request through Qiwa. Qiwa is the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) platform employers use to request foreign worker visas. This step is entirely on the employer’s side, so you don’t need to do anything here except wait for confirmation.
- You prepare and attest your documents. You’ll typically need a valid passport with at least 6 months validity, passport size photographs, your educational certificates and experience letters, and your employment contract. Educational documents usually need attestation from HEC (Higher Education Commission), then MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and finally the Saudi Embassy in Pakistan.
- GAMCA medical test. GAMCA (Gulf Approved Medical Centers Association) runs the standardized medical fitness test required for all workers heading to the Gulf. You must use a GAMCA approved clinic. Approved centres operate in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and Peshawar, among other cities. The test covers general health, chest X ray, and screening for communicable diseases. Results are uploaded directly to the GAMCA portal and linked to your passport number.
- BEOE emigration clearance. The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE) is the Pakistani government body that must clear every worker headed to a Gulf job before departure. You can check your protector status and apply for clearance at emigration.gov.pk. This step confirms your contract has been registered and your recruitment is going through legitimate channels.
- Visa stamping at a Tasheer centre. Tasheer is the Saudi visa stamping service. Once your employer’s Qiwa request is approved and your documents are in order, you submit your passport for visa stamping at an authorized Tasheer centre in Pakistan.
- Departure and Iqama collection. After arriving in Saudi Arabia, your employer completes your Iqama (residency permit) registration, usually within the first few weeks. Keep your Iqama with you at all times once issued. It’s your primary form of ID in the Kingdom.
How long does each stage take?
| Stage | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Document attestation | 1 to 2 weeks |
| GAMCA medical | 3 to 7 days |
| BEOE clearance | 2 to 5 days |
| Tasheer stamping | 5 to 15 working days |
| Total (offer to departure) | 4 to 10 weeks |
These are typical ranges. Busier seasons or incomplete documentation can extend them, so it’s worth starting the process as early as possible once you have a signed offer.
What about visa fees?
Visa fees are usually covered by the employer as part of the recruitment process, though this varies by contract. Government related fees (medical, stamping, clearance) generally fall in the range of SAR 2,000 to 4,000 combined, but exact costs change over time and by province, so always confirm current fees directly with BEOE or your employer rather than relying on fixed numbers you see online.
Scam warning: how to protect yourself
Unfortunately, fraudulent recruiters target Gulf job seekers aggressively. A few rules that will protect you:
- If someone offers a visa without a real job offer and signed contract, it’s a scam.
- If someone asks for large payments before you’ve seen a contract, it’s a scam.
- Legitimate recruitment agencies are licensed by BEOE. You can verify any agency’s license status at emigration.gov.pk before paying anything or handing over documents.
- Never hand over your original passport to anyone outside an official, verifiable process.
When in doubt, verify through official government channels rather than taking a recruiter’s word for it.
What’s next
Once your visa is in progress, the next thing to plan for is your salary expectations and what your take home package will actually look like once accommodation and allowances are factored in. See our Highest Paying Gulf Jobs for Pakistanis in 2026 guide for a full breakdown by profession. And before you accept an offer, make sure your CV is actually structured the way Gulf employers expect. Our CV guide covers the exact gaps Pakistani applicants tend to miss.
