Obtaining a visa for a company executive in Saudi Arabia

Benefits of obtaining resident status in Saudi Arabia

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Direct business management in the Kingdom

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Without a visa, company operations may be blocked, since management is required to be physically present in the country to sign financial and legal documents.

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Integration into the local business environment

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Government contracts and tenders require the director’s residency.

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Solving personal and family matters

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• Access to medical services
• Education for children
• Rental or purchase of real estate
• Multiple entry/exit without additional permits
• Tax optimization due to resident status and double taxation treaties

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Trust and reputation

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Companies with resident leadership are perceived as “local” by partners and regulators. If management is based abroad, partners may question the seriousness of the company’s intentions.

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“Without a visa, management becomes remote and inefficient: every action requires notarized powers of attorney, which increases the risk of fraud and mistakes.” Artur Faniev Commercial Director

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Process of obtaining a resident visa in Saudi Arabia

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For a general director, the first step is obtaining a working visa (Working Visa), which is later converted into an exit and re-entry visa. After this, the resident card IQAMA is issued. Total processing time – up to 1 month.

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Document preparation

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We assist in preparing all required documents for each stage. Special attention should be paid to the company charter, investment license from MISA, proof of position, and identity documents.

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Application submission

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The visa application is submitted through the Saudi consulate or online platforms. MISA and the Ministry of Labour review and approve the application within about 2 weeks.

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Obtaining a working visa (Entry Permit)

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The Entry Permit allows entry into Saudi Arabia for the purpose of applying for resident status. Without it, the director cannot begin the residency process. The sponsoring company also files a request via the Metrash2 system. The visa is sent by email in PDF format and must be printed to present upon arrival.

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Medical check and biometrics

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The applicant must undergo tests for HIV, tuberculosis, and hepatitis at accredited clinics, and submit biometric data at an accredited center such as Tasheer.

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Fee payments

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• Visa fee (~2,000 SAR)
• Health insurance (~1,500 SAR per year)

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Obtaining IQAMA

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The IQAMA card may be issued on the same day of application if the medical exam in Saudi Arabia is completed, health insurance is valid, and a local SIM card is obtained.

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The director’s resident visa is issued for 1 year. It can be extended for up to 5 years if the company remains active.

• Renewal must be applied for 30 days before expiration.
• Renewal requires proof of company’s financial stability (reports, tax compliance), updated medical insurance, and updated medical tests (if expired).
• Late renewal results in fines (~5,000 SAR).

Benefits of obtaining resident status in Saudi Arabia with Futura Law

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1. Full process support We handle everything – from document preparation and application submission to receiving the visa. You don’t need to spend time dealing with government bodies.
2. Individual approach Each case is unique. We analyze your situation and propose the fastest and most convenient way to obtain residency.
3. Minimization of rejection risks We pre-check all documents for compliance with MISA and Ministry of Labour requirements, identify weak points, and resolve them before submission. This minimizes the risk of rejection and ensures a smooth, predictable process.
4. Team with deep expertise in the Middle East We have a strong presence in the Middle East and a network of partners in Saudi Arabia, allowing us to handle projects effectively in English, Russian, and Arabic – without barriers and with precision at every stage.