Saudi Work Visa for Pakistani 2026: Process, Cost & Documents

Quick answer: To get a Saudi work visa from Pakistan, your Saudi employer first issues the visa in your name, then you complete a GCC medical booked through Wafid, pass the Takamol skill test if your trade requires it, submit your passport at a Saudi visa service centre (Tasheer), and finally register with the Protector of Emigrants before you fly. Under Saudi labour law the employer pays the recruitment, work permit and iqama fees. Your main official costs in Pakistan are the medical, the Takamol test (USD 85, if required) and the protector fee (Rs9,200 direct or Rs22,200 through a licensed promoter).

Saudi Arabia is still the biggest destination for Pakistani workers, and it is also where most visa fraud happens. This guide walks through each step in the order most workers follow, shows which costs are yours and which are the employer's, and explains how to check that your visa is genuine before you hand over any money.

Key takeaways

You cannot apply for a Saudi work visa yourself. A Saudi employer must issue it, through Qiwa for companies or Musaned for domestic workers.
Saudi labour law (Article 40) makes the employer responsible for recruitment fees and for issuing and renewing the work permit and iqama.
Work visas for Pakistan have been issued as electronic visas with a QR code, rather than a passport sticker, since July 2023.
The Takamol skill test costs USD 85 and is compulsory only for trades notified by Saudi Takamol.
Every Pakistani going abroad on a work visa must register with the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (BE&OE) and pay the protector fee.

Saudi work visa process for Pakistanis: step by step

The exact order can vary slightly by case, so follow the instructions of your employer or licensed Overseas Employment Promoter (OEP). The usual sequence is:

Get a real job offer and contract. The offer comes from a Saudi employer directly or through a promoter licensed by BE&OE. Read the contract before you sign: job title, salary, working hours, housing, transport and contract length should all be written down.
The employer issues your visa. Companies apply on Qiwa, the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources platform. Household employers (for drivers, cooks, housemaids and similar roles) use Musaned. Your passport details are linked to the visa, so they must be exactly right.
Check the visa yourself. Before paying anyone, look up your visa on the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa platform using your passport number and the details your employer gives you. The profession, employer name and your name should match your contract.
Book and pass your medical. Book the GCC medical online through Wafid, choosing Pakistan as your location and Saudi Arabia as your destination. Only a medical booked this way is accepted for the visa.
Take the Takamol test, if your trade needs it. Many skilled and semi-skilled trades, such as electricians, plumbers, welders, mechanics and drivers, must pass Saudi Arabia's Skill Verification Program, which NAVTTC runs in Pakistan. Our Takamol test guide covers registration, centres and preparation.
Submit your passport at a Tasheer centre. Tasheer is the Saudi visa service centre network in Pakistan. You book an appointment, bring your passport, CNIC, medical report and visa details, and give your fingerprints. Check the current document list and service charge on Tasheer's official site before you go.
Receive your e-visa. Your visa arrives electronically with a QR code. Keep a printed copy with your passport for the airport.
Register with the Protector of Emigrants. BE&OE registers your overseas job and protects your passport. This is a legal requirement under the Emigration Ordinance 1979, and without it you can be stopped at departure. See our protector fee guide for the full breakdown and documents.
Travel and get your iqama. After you arrive, your employer handles the residence permit (iqama) and work permit, at the employer's cost.

Saudi work visa cost from Pakistan in 2026

Separate what the employer must pay from what you will pay in Pakistan.

Paid by the Saudi employer

Recruitment fees for bringing you to Saudi Arabia
Work permit and iqama, both issue and renewal

The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources lists these under Article 40 of the Labour Law. If an agent asks you to pay for the visa itself, ask for a written breakdown and check it against the official charges below.

Paid by you (official charges)

Wafid booking: USD 10 for a standard appointment or USD 25 for a premium one that lets you choose the medical centre and date. The medical centre charges its own fee for the tests.
Takamol skill test (notified trades only): USD 85 per attempt since 9 September 2026, about Rs23,500 to Rs24,500 depending on the exchange rate.
Tasheer service charge: as listed on Tasheer's official fee page at the time of your appointment.
Protector fee, direct employment: Rs9,200 (Rs4,000 OPF welfare fund, Rs2,500 insurance, Rs2,500 registration, Rs200 OEC fee).
Protector fee through a licensed OEP: Rs22,200, which includes the promoter's Rs15,000 service charge.

Your own costs also include passport renewal if needed, travel to test and visa centres, and any police character certificate your case requires. Your air ticket depends on your contract, so check who pays for it before you sign.

Documents you will need

Valid Pakistani passport (with enough validity left for your contract)
Original CNIC
Signed employment contract and the visa details from your employer
Wafid medical report showing you are fit
Takamol certificate, if your trade is on the notified list
Passport-size photographs
Educational or professional certificates, where your profession needs them

How to avoid Saudi visa scams

Use only licensed promoters. Check the promoter's licence on the BE&OE list of OEPs at beoe.gov.pk before you pay anything.
Verify the visa first. Do not pay for a "visa" you have not checked on the Saudi visa platform.
Be careful with "free" or "azad" visa offers. These usually mean a visa from one sponsor while you are told to find work elsewhere. That can leave you without a legal job or valid residency once you arrive.
Pay through banks or official portals. Get a receipt for every payment and never pay cash to a sub-agent.
Match the profession. The trade on your visa should be the job you will actually do. A mismatch can cause trouble at Takamol, at the airport and with your iqama.

If you are looking for government-run options, the Overseas Employment Corporation also recruits for Saudi employers. Read our guide on how to apply for OEC jobs.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for a Saudi work visa myself from Pakistan?

No. A Saudi employer has to issue the work visa through Qiwa or, for domestic workers, Musaned. You complete the medical, the skill test (if required), the visa centre step and protector registration once the visa exists.

How much does a Saudi work visa cost for a Pakistani in 2026?

The employer pays recruitment, work permit and iqama fees. Your official costs are the Wafid booking (USD 10 or 25) plus the clinic fee, the Takamol test (USD 85, if required), the Tasheer service charge and the protector fee (Rs9,200 direct or Rs22,200 through an OEP).

Is the Takamol test required for every Saudi work visa?

No. It is compulsory only for occupations notified by Saudi Takamol. Check the profession on your visa with your employer or licensed promoter.

Do Saudi work visas still come as a passport sticker?

No. Since July 2023, work visas for applicants in Pakistan have been issued as electronic visas with a QR code. Carry a printed copy when you travel.

How can I check whether my Saudi visa is genuine?

Look it up on the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa platform (visa.mofa.gov.sa) and confirm your promoter's licence on the BE&OE website before you pay.

Find jobs and next steps

Browse current jobs in Saudi Arabia on Jobsiz, or explore jobs in Pakistan while your overseas plans come together. Make sure your CV is ready with our CV format guide for Pakistan, and compare another Gulf route in our Oman work visa guide.

Sources

Last updated: 25 October 2026. Fees and procedures can change; confirm with the official sources above before you pay.

Saudi Work Visa for Pakistani Workers 2026: Steps and Costs