Saudi Arabia Updates Qiwa Work Visa Platform With New Official Services
Riyadh, September 13, 2026: The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia has released a new official service listing on the Qiwa platform regarding work visa procedures. Released on September 8, 2026, the service integrates the issuance of Permanent Work Visas, Temporary Work Visas, and Temporary Work Visas for Hajj and Umrah services into a single digital workflow. This update is an employer-side service, meaning Saudi companies request visas directly through their Qiwa business accounts, and jobseekers are advised to verify their contract and visa category independently rather than relying on unofficial documentation.
- New official service listing released on Qiwa platform on September 8, 2026
- Combines Permanent Work Visas, Temporary Work Visas, and Hajj and Umrah visas into one digital workflow
- Employer-side service for Saudi companies to request visas directly
- Jobseekers must independently verify contracts and visa categories
Visa Categories and Employer Rules
The service allows eligible establishments to select from three primary categories via the 'Employee Recruitment/Hire Employees' section: Permanent Work Visas for long-term contracts; Temporary Work Visas for short-term employment of three months or less, which may be extended by an additional 90 days; and Temporary Work Visas specifically for Hajj and Umrah services. To qualify, employers must have an active status, valid commercial registration, compliant Wage Protection System records, and a Nitaqat classification of 'Medium Green' or higher. They must also ensure employment contracts are documented on Qiwa and maintain sufficient financial balances on Ministry of Interior platforms.
Visa Limits and Cost Details
Visa capacity limits vary; establishments under two years old can receive a maximum of five instant visas, while older, eligible companies may obtain up to 50 visas per week. The 'Free' designation on the service page refers to the Qiwa digital service fee and does not imply that recruitment, medical, insurance, or travel costs are free for the worker. Employers are required to provide signed employment contracts and ensure medical insurance is secured before visa issuance.
Important Advice for Workers
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh continues to advise Indian workers that there is no valid visa category known as a 'Free Visa' and that tourist or visit visas cannot be converted into employment visas. ECR category workers must utilize the eMigrate system for recruitment. Candidates are urged to verify the legal identity of their employer, confirm their agent's registration on eMigrate, and ensure that their employment contract details—including salary, job title, and visa category—align exactly with the work they are being hired to perform.