Relocate · Documents

Saudi Arabia Documents Checklist

By NewToSaudi Editorial Team

Every document you need — before you leave home, on arrival, and to get your Iqama. Missing one can delay your entire relocation by weeks.

30+ documents covered 3 stages: before, arrival, post-arrival Attestation requirements included

Stage 1

Before You Leave Your Home Country

These documents must be prepared, attested, and in hand before your departure. Getting attestation wrong is the single most common reason for Iqama delays.

Essential Personal Documents

Passport (valid 6+ months)
Must have at least 6 months validity remaining after your planned entry date. Ensure you have at least 4 blank pages for entry/exit stamps. Make 5 colour photocopies.
Work Visa (stamped in passport)
Your employer's PRO (Public Relations Officer) or HR team will arrange the visa. Verify it shows the correct entry type (single/multiple), job title, and sponsor name exactly matching your contract.
Original Degree / Educational Certificates
Must be attested by: (1) University registrar, (2) Your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, (3) Saudi Embassy in your country. HEC attestation required for Pakistani degrees. Dataflow verification required for healthcare workers.
Professional Certifications
Engineering, medical, legal, and accounting certifications require Saudi authority recognition. Check with your employer's PRO which body governs your profession (SCHS for healthcare, SEC for engineers, etc.).
Marriage Certificate (if bringing spouse)
Must be attested by your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Saudi Embassy. Both Arabic and English versions are usually required. Some nationalities need additional verification through their Saudi embassy.
Birth Certificates (for children)
Full attestation required for each child's birth certificate. Children must be listed on your Iqama as dependants — this requires attested birth certificates and, for children over 7, a passport each.

Health Medical Requirements

Medical Fitness Certificate
Required by your employer and for the Iqama process. Must be issued by a GAMCA (Gulf Approved Medical Centre Association) centre in your home country. Tests include blood screening (HIV, Hepatitis B & C), chest X-ray (TB), and general fitness check.
Vaccination Records
Meningococcal (ACYW135) vaccination is mandatory for Umrah/Hajj visitors but advisable for all. Yellow fever certificate needed if arriving from an endemic country. Keep your home country vaccination booklet.
Prescription Medication Documentation
If you take regular medication, bring a doctor's letter on letterhead confirming the medical need, the generic drug name, and dosage. Some medications (narcotics, certain psychotropics) require advance approval from the Saudi Ministry of Health.

Employment Work Documents

Original Employment Contract
Signed by both you and the employer. Should specify: job title, salary (in SAR), working hours, contract duration, benefits (housing, transport, flights), and termination conditions. Keep the original — you'll need it multiple times.
Offer Letter / Appointment Letter
On company letterhead, signed by an authorised company representative. Must match the details on your visa exactly. A mismatch between the job title on your visa and contract can cause Iqama complications.
NOC from Previous Saudi Employer (if applicable)
If you previously worked in Saudi Arabia and are re-entering, a No Objection Certificate from your previous employer may be required, especially if less than 12 months have passed since departure.

Attestation Order Matters

Documents must be attested in the correct order: (1) Notary public → (2) Your country's Ministry of Education or relevant ministry → (3) Your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs → (4) Saudi Embassy in your country → (5) Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh (handled by your employer's PRO). Skipping a step means starting over.

Lead time: The full attestation process for degrees and marriage certificates typically takes 4–8 weeks in most countries. Start immediately after receiving your job offer — do not wait until your visa arrives.

Stage 2

On Arrival in Saudi Arabia

The first 24–72 hours in-country involve several official steps. Have these ready before landing.

Passport with Valid Visa
Present at immigration. Customs officers will stamp your entry. Keep this stamp page — it records your legal entry date, which affects your Iqama start date.
Return Flight Booking (some nationalities)
Certain nationalities entering on a work visa may be asked to show onward travel evidence, though this is increasingly rare for employment visa holders. Keep your booking confirmation accessible.
Hotel Booking / Employer Accommodation Confirmation
You'll need to declare a Saudi address on landing cards. Have your initial accommodation address ready — hotel booking confirmation, employer-provided accommodation details, or a letter from your sponsor.
Sponsor / Employer Contact Details
Full name of your sponsor company, contact person, and Saudi phone number. Immigration may ask for these at the port of entry.
Cash (SAR or USD) for Initial Expenses
You won't have a Saudi bank account yet. Bring enough cash or a home country card for 2–4 weeks of living expenses. ATMs are available at all airports. See our Banking Guide for what to expect.

Employment Letter (from Saudi employer)
Some employers send this in advance for you to present on arrival. On company letterhead, stating your position, salary, and that the company is sponsoring your residence.
Attested Documents Folder
Keep all your attested originals together in a separate folder. Your employer's PRO will need these originals within the first week to submit to the Ministry of Interior for Iqama processing.
Photographs (white background, 4×6 cm)
Bring 8–10 passport-sized photographs on a white background. Needed for the Iqama card, health insurance card, employer ID badge, and various government forms. Taken locally is fine too — studios are cheap and common.

Digital Copies

Scan every document and upload to a secure cloud folder before you leave home. Saudi government portals (Absher, Qiwa, MOL) often require uploaded copies. A Google Drive or Dropbox folder with labelled scans saves hours of standing at photocopier shops.

Stage 3

Iqama Application Documents

Your employer's PRO typically handles the Iqama submission, but you need to provide these documents promptly — delays on your side delay issuance.

Original Passport + Entry Stamp Copy
PRO submits to Jawazat (Passport Department). They retain your passport for 3–10 business days during Iqama processing. Use any other ID during this period.
Biometric Data (fingerprints)
Taken at the Jawazat office or through an approved typing centre. Required for first-time Iqama applicants and after any extended absence from KSA.
GAMCA Medical Report (original)
The original medical fitness certificate from your home country GAMCA centre. Must not be more than 3 months old at time of Iqama application submission.
Attested Degree Certificate
Required if your job title is a profession (engineer, doctor, accountant, etc.). The degree must match the job title on your work visa. Mismatches are the most common Iqama rejection reason.
Saudi Phone Number
Needed to register on Absher. You can get a SIM card at the airport on arrival (bring your passport). A Saudi mobile number linked to your Iqama is required for Absher registration and Nafath verification.
Proof of Residence in KSA
Employer-provided accommodation letter, or a rental lease. If staying in employer accommodation, the company's address is typically used. Apartments rented privately require an Ejari-style registration (Ijar system).

Employment Contract (Arabic translation)
The Ministry of Human Resources (MOHRE) requires contracts to be in Arabic or bilingual. Most Saudi employers provide this. The Qiwa platform digitises this process.
Attested Marriage Certificate (for family Iqamas)
If bringing your spouse and children, the primary Iqama holder sponsors family members. All family members need separate Iqama cards, each requiring their own documentation set.
Health Insurance Policy Number
Employer-provided health insurance is mandatory under Saudi law. Your insurer's policy number is needed for the Iqama record. Ensure your employer registers you with CCHI (Council of Cooperative Health Insurance) within 30 days.

90-day deadline: Your work visa typically allows 90 days from entry to complete the Iqama application. Missing this deadline results in fines and possible entry ban. Track your entry date carefully and follow up with your employer's PRO weekly.

Ongoing

Documents to Keep Updated

Your Iqama expires annually (or every 2 years at employer discretion). Keep these documents current to avoid fines and complications.

Iqama (Renew annually)
Renewal fee: SAR 650/year for most categories. Set a calendar reminder 60 days before expiry. Your employer is legally responsible for renewal costs. Overstaying an expired Iqama attracts SAR 100/day fines.
Passport (renew before expiry)
Start the renewal process with your home country embassy in Saudi Arabia at least 3 months before expiry. After getting your new passport, you must update your Iqama at Jawazat to link the new passport number.
Health Insurance Card
Annual renewal by your employer. Carry this at all times — Saudi hospitals will ask for it before treating you. Ensure family members are on the policy from day one.
Saudi Driving Licence
Required to drive legally. Residents from 34 countries can convert their home driving licence directly at a Muroor (traffic) office. Others must take a full driving test. See our Transport Guide for details.

Exit/Re-entry Permit
Before travelling outside Saudi Arabia, you need an Exit Re-entry Visa (or Exit Only). Apply on Absher at least 1–2 weeks before travel. Single-exit costs SAR 200; multiple-exit SAR 500. Final Exit means you're permanently leaving.
Labour Card (Qiwa)
The Qiwa platform (qiwa.sa) is the Ministry of Human Resources portal. Your employment contract, salary, and any disputes are managed here. Verify your employer has correctly registered your details.
Absher Account
The Saudi government digital portal. Required for exit permits, Iqama renewal requests, vehicle registration, and dozens of other services. Register immediately after receiving your Iqama — it's free and takes 10 minutes.

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