Work visas, iqamas and work permits for your staff

Work visas come from the Ministry of Human Resources' "Visa Issuance" service on Qiwa, where you choose an establishment visa. The Ministry lists these conditions:

• A valid commercial registration and an active establishment
• Compliance with the Wage Protection program
• A Nitaqat band of at least Medium Green (or Very Small Green for an establishment visa)
• No expired work permits under the same unified number
• Enough balance in the establishment's Absher account for the visa fee

• Visa: issued on Qiwa once the conditions are met.
• Authorisation: the visa is then authorised through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' visa services platform ("Office Authorization on work visa"), which the Ministry lists as one business day.
• Travel: the employee obtains the visa and enters the Kingdom.

• Medical check and insurance: the employee passes a medical examination at an approved centre, and medical insurance is in place for them and their family.
• Work permit: issued on Qiwa through "Issue and Renew Work license", within the first 90 days after entry. A valid work permit is a condition for issuing or renewing the iqama.
• Iqama: issued by the company through Muqeem or Absher Business, with fingerprints, a valid passport, and the iqama fee and any late fine paid.
• GOSI: the employer registers the new worker within the first 15 days of the following month. Occupational-hazard contributions, 2% of the wage paid by the employer, apply to every worker whatever their nationality.
• Contract: document the employment contract on Qiwa. Since 15 April 2026 the Ministry calculates Nitaqat from contracts documented there.

If the person already works for another employer in the Kingdom, you do not need a new visa. The Ministry of Human Resources' "Transferring Expatriate Worker" service on Qiwa moves them to your establishment; the Ministry lists it as free and immediate. Your Nitaqat band still matters: a company in the Red band cannot receive transferred workers.

From here, each employee carries two linked dates. Work permits are renewed on Qiwa for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months, once 180 days or less remain; the iqama is renewed through Muqeem or Absher Business, which needs a valid work permit. Our guide to staying compliant after setup covers the whole calendar.

Mohla Comply keeps each employee's iqama and work permit with their dates, so one lapse never blocks the company. You get reminders before every date, and when you ask, Mohla's team handles the renewal as a case you can follow. For a new company, Mohla Start includes the general manager's visa and iqama.

Government fees are paid at cost. Mohla's own fee is in the written quote you receive before any work starts.