Saudi Arabia’s temporary work visa lets businesses hire non-Saudis for short-term roles without a long-term residency permit.
Here’s how it works in 2026 — the rules, fees, validity, and how employers apply through the KSA visa system.
Temporary Work Visa at a Glance
| Detail | Temporary Work Visa |
|---|---|
| Issued by | MHRSD, via the Qiwa platform |
| Who applies | The employer (not the worker) |
| Visa validity / stay period | Valid for one year from issuance; stay is 90 days from entry |
| Maximum stay | 180 days (one 90-day extension) |
| Linked to an Iqama? | No |
| Starting fee | SAR 1,000 (single visa) |
What Is the Temporary Work Visa in Saudi?
The temporary work visa is a short-term permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) through the Qiwa platform. It lets private-sector employers bring in non-Saudi workers for project-based or contract work across sectors.
It is not tied to an Iqama, so it sits outside Saudi Arabia’s standard work-permit and residency rules. That also means it works differently from a standard work visa, which requires qualification verification.
One important distinction: this is a separate route from the temporary work visa for Hajj and Umrah services — the renamed seasonal visa, tied to the pilgrimage season and to specific nationalities. This guide covers the general temporary work visa only.
Requirements
The requirements fall on the employer, not the worker. To issue visas through Qiwa, the establishment must meet all of the following:
- Hold a valid Commercial Register (CR), unless the activity does not require one.
- Show an active or existing establishment status.
- Have valid work permits for all employees in the establishment group.
- Hold a Nitaqat rating of medium green or higher.
- Have no negative remarks under the Wage Protection System (WPS).
- Have sufficient balance in the Ministry of Interior’s platforms and sufficient temporary work visa balance.
- Meet any applicable recruitment quota, annual self-evaluation, and Qiwa location-assignment requirements.
- Provide a signed employment contract to both parties and arrange medical insurance before visa issuance.
An establishment with expired work permits under the same unified number will not meet the service regulations.
How to Apply Through Qiwa
Employers issue temporary work visas directly through their Qiwa business account. The process is fully online:
- Log in to your Qiwa business account.
- Go to the Services page and select “Instant Work Visas”.
- Under the temporary work visas column, click “Issue visa”.
- Enter the visa details for each demographic group — occupation, gender, nationality, embassy, and religion — then set the number of visas and click “Add visa details”.
- To request visas with different parameters, select “Add next visa request” and repeat.
- When all requests are complete, click “Next step”.
- Review the payment details, accept the Qiwa terms, and click “Submit”.
Workers do not apply themselves — the employer manages issuance and shares the visa details once approved. For other Saudi visa routes, the MOFA visa platform handles separate categories.
Fees
Temporary work visas are sold to employers in standard packages through Qiwa:
| Package | Fee (SAR) |
|---|---|
| 1 visa | 1,000 |
| 5 visas | 4,850 |
| 10 visas | 9,300 |
| 50 visas | 45,000 |
Employers can also choose a custom number of visas, with a 10% discount applied. Fees are paid by the employer, not the worker.
Validity, Extension, and Expiry
The temporary work visa is valid for one year from issuance. The holder’s stay is 90 days from the date of entry and can be extended once for another 90 days, for a maximum stay of 180 days. The updated regulation also removed the endorsement requirement when issuing the general temporary work visa.
The extension can be requested only once and must be submitted before the permitted stay expires. Your employer manages it through Qiwa on your behalf.
Because the visa is not linked to an Iqama, it cannot be converted into residency. The worker must leave the Kingdom once the permitted stay expires.
How to Check Visa Validity
To confirm your visa status, ask your employer, who can verify it through the Qiwa platform. Workers cannot check it directly under this visa type.
For other Saudi visa types, you can confirm status yourself using the Saudi visa check guide. If you are hiring domestic staff instead, the rules sit under the Musaned platform, and recent domestic worker grace-period changes may apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a worker apply for the temporary work visa directly?
No. The employer applies through their Qiwa business account and shares the visa details once it is approved.
Can the temporary work visa be converted to an Iqama or residency?
No. It is not tied to an Iqama, so it cannot be converted. The worker must exit the Kingdom when the permitted stay expires.
Is this the same as the temporary work visa for Hajj and Umrah services?
No. They are separate routes. The Hajj and Umrah services visa is the renamed seasonal visa, limited to the pilgrimage season and to specific nationalities.
Does the holder need a separate work permit?
No. The temporary work visa allows work for its permitted stay period without a standard work permit or Iqama.
Sources
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development — Council of Ministers update on temporary work visas
- Qiwa — How to Issue Temporary Work Visas
- Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers — Regulations for Temporary Work Visas and Temporary Work Visas for Hajj and Umrah Services
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
