Irish citizens seeking employment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia need a Work Visa prior to entering the Kingdom.

Obtaining a Work Visa is a complex and lengthy process and may take four to six weeks. Please prioritize this phase of your Application Process. We have described the process in details below.

Step-by-Step Process in detail:

Step 1: Application, Medical & Visa Forms

Once you have accepted an employment offer from your employer in Saudi Arabia, we will begin the visa process for you and send you all the required forms along with the instructions to complete these forms. 

Step 2: Medicals 

Medicals are required by the Saudi Embassy for Work Visa and for Residency Visa for spouse and children ages 16 and above. 

Schedule an appointment with your physician to complete the medicals required by your Saudi employer and for the medical report for the embassy.

The Medical Report for The Saudi Embassy must be signed by a doctor who is registered with the Medical Council of Ireland. This Report needs to be attested by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The following medical lab test results must be attached to your medical report for the embassy:

• Chest X-Ray and PPD
• Syphilis Serology (VDRL/TPHA)
• HIV
• Hepatitis B and C (IgG, and IgM)
• Blood Workup and Screening Profile (Hemoglobin, WBC, RBC, Platelets, Cholesterol Panel, Liver Function Tests, Fasting Blood Sugar, Renal Function Tests)
• Urine Analysis
• Pregnancy Test (if applicable)

Once you have all the lab test reports, email them to us. Our physician consultant will review these reports and advise you if any required result is missing.

Step 3: Passport Renewal 

Make sure that your passport is valid for at least nine months beyond the planned date of entry into the Kingdom and has at least two blank visa pages facing each other. If not, apply for a new passport immediately.

Step 4: Education Verification

Please visit the website www.dfa.ie of The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for up-to-date info. At the bottom of the home page of this website, please look for "Authenticate a document".

For physicians and nurses: The degree certificate should be stamped by both, 

• The Department of foreign affairs, and 
• The Saudi Cultural Bureau in 630 Cheswick High Road, London, U.K, W4 5RY. (www.uksacb.org)

Once your degree certificates have been stamped by The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, we will then authenticate these documents by The Saudi Cultural Bureau in London.

Children's educational credentials:

Expatriates' children planning to attend school (Kindergarten - High School) in Saudi Arabia must have their Irish school transcripts authenticated by the Saudi Cultural Bureau. This process may take 2-4 weeks and should be completed prior to their arrival in Saudi Arabia. Please contact us for more details.

Step 5: Garda Clearance

Obtaining a Garda Clearance may take 1-4 weeks. Please start this process as soon as possible. Garda Clearance letter also needs to be authenticated by The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Step 6: Mail us your completed documents

Mail the following documents to us (using express/overnight service):

1. Completed and signed Visa Application for the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia
2. Completed Medical Report for the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia
3. Medical Lab Test Reports
4. Garda Clearance
5. Passport valid for at least nine months with at least two blank visa pages
6. Four recent passport size pictures with white background
7. Your original signed Employment Contract
8. Other Medical or Application Forms (required by your Saudi employer but not a visa application requirement)

Step 7: Visa Application Submission

We will submit your application (along with all the required documents/items) to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. The embassy usually takes three to five business days to issue a visa. We will keep you updated about your visa application progress if it takes longer than usual for any reason.

Step 8: Visa Process Completion

As soon as we receive your passport back from the Saudi embassy with visa stamp, we will mail you your passport back along with other job related and travel documents. We will also provide you a Tracking number so you know when to expect this important package.

Step 9: Travel Arrangement 

We will provide you your travel itinerary for your approval. Once you approve, we will provide you airline ticket or eTicket for your approved travel itinerary.

Step 10: Final Preparation

Once you receive your eTicket from us, we will provide you all the necessary information and guidance to prepare you for your journey to your new home.