Saudi Migration Regulations
In light of the significant business opportunities offered by the Saudi market, many entrepreneurs have decided to strengthen their presence in the Kingdom by opening operational offices and increasingly deploying highly specialised foreign personnel to contribute to the implementation of the numerous industrial projects promoted by the Saudi government.
Although business opportunities are abundant, it is important to remember that Saudi migration regulations are particularly strict. Therefore, it is essential to have a precise understanding of the different types of visas required in order to travel to and operate regularly in the country.
First of all, it is important to highlight that Saudi Arabia issues different types of visas for transit or visits to the country, each with specific requirements. In all cases, visas must be applied for and obtained prior to entering Saudi territory, as it is not permitted to apply for a visa directly at the border or at airports.
The Business Visit Visa
On this occasion, we focus on the description of the Business Visit Visa required to carry out business visits, participate in conferences or training activities, without establishing a subordinate employment relationship with a Saudi company or acquiring resident status in the country.
Although this specific type of visa is mainly used for business or representative travel, it should be noted that holding this visa also allows highly qualified personnel to carry out specific technical interventions in Saudi Arabia.
Thanks to the numerous bilateral agreements that Spain maintains with many countries, Spanish citizens can often benefit from business visa exemptions when travelling abroad. However, in the case of Saudi Arabia, it is mandatory to apply for and obtain a Business Visit Visa in advance, in order to avoid penalties for both the traveller and the Saudi entity where the professional activity will be carried out.
Requirements and Documentation for Applying for the Business Visit Visa
The documents required to submit a Business Visit Visa application are various and must be provided by:
- the employee
- the Saudi company
- the Spanish company
The employee must attach to the application their employment contract with the Spanish company, their passport, and proof of private medical insurance contracted to cover healthcare during the period of stay in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi company must provide the employee with an invitation letter certifying the relationship between the applicant and the company and explaining the purpose of the visit. It is advisable for the invitation letter to explicitly refer to the applicant’s specific competencies in order to justify the need for the applicant’s travel to Saudi Arabia. In addition, the Saudi company must provide the applicant with the company’s commercial registration contract.
The Spanish company must provide the visa applicant with a letter on company letterhead detailing the company’s information, contact details, and formally requesting the employee’s travel based on their position and competencies. We recommend explicitly stating the reason for the need to travel to Saudi Arabia. If the travel arises from a contractual obligation between the Spanish and Saudi companies, the relevant contract must be submitted. It is essential that the Spanish company declares that it will assume responsibility for the expenses related to the employee’s travel and stay in the country.
Duration of the Business Visit Visa
The duration of the Business Visit Visa varies depending on the type requested:
- Single-entry Business Visit Visa: valid for 30 days
- Multiple-entry Business Visit Visa: valid for 90 days
If it becomes necessary to extend the stay in Saudi Arabia, it is possible to apply for an extension for the same duration as the initial stay. The extension may only be granted once.
Procedure, Processing Time and Fees
The application must be submitted at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Spain, together with all the required documentation.
The approximate processing time to receive a response is 3 days.
The fee for processing this visa is EUR 90. In addition, private medical insurance must be contracted as indicated above.
Labour Aspects to Consider for the Assignment
Please note that there is no Bilateral Social Security Agreement between Saudi Arabia and Spain. Consequently, to ensure comprehensive protection for the posted worker, it is essential to comply with the provisions of Order ISM 835/2023, which regulates the scope and conditions of assignments to countries with which Spain does not have a social security agreement.
Our Support
At Feliu N&I, we closely monitor legislative developments affecting the international mobility of professionals, both in Spain and in the rest of the European Union and worldwide. Our commitment is to ensure that our clients are always well informed and able to make strategic decisions based on up-to-date knowledge of the applicable regulations.
We provide our clients with a specialised, multidisciplinary team with extensive experience in managing international assignments, visas and work permits, offering support at every stage of the process to ensure tailored and efficient solutions. At Feliu N&I, our priority is to facilitate professional mobility in a safe manner and in full compliance with the law, contributing to our clients’ success in a global and dynamic environment.
Contact us for more information on Saudi migration regulations and for assistance in preparing the necessary documentation to ensure a safe journey in compliance with current legislation.
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