Saudi Iqama & Long-Term Residence Visa for Nepalis: How to Stay Legally

Saudi Arabia residence visa for Nepali citizens (2026). Saudi Iqama & Long-Term Residence Visa for Nepalis: How to Stay Legally — verified against Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia — Kathmandu and updated when the rules change. processing 15–30 working days (after Saudi-side approvals are complete); allowed stay Up to 90 days on entry; thereafter governed by the Iqama issued in Saudi Arabia. Below: the official figures, the document checklist, proof-of-funds guidance, the embassy contact, and the mistakes that get Nepali files refused.

Saudi Arabia residence visa document checklist for Nepali citizens

Below is the document set Saudi Arabia expects from a Nepali residence-visa applicant. Every Nepali-language document (citizenship, relationship, property, income) needs a notary-certified English translation. Carry originals plus one photocopy of each.

• Original passport — Valid for at least 6 months beyond intended entry date, with at least 2 blank visa pages.
• Passport bio-page copy — Clear colour photocopy of the data page.
• Passport-size photograph (51 × 51 mm) — Recent, white or light-grey background, head straight, both ears visible.
• Visa application form — Filled in English via the Enjaz portal (visa.mofa.gov.sa) and printed for submission.
• Citizenship copy — Photocopy of Nepali citizenship certificate.
• Original work contract — Attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal and the Saudi Embassy.
• Educational certificates — Apostilled / attested by MoFA Nepal and the Saudi Embassy.
• Medical fitness certificate (GAMCA / Wafid) — From a GAMCA-approved Nepal clinic, valid for 3 months.
• Police clearance certificate — From Nepal Police, attested by MoFA Nepal.
• Power of attorney / authorisation (if applicable) — Where a Saudi employer or local recruiter handles the submission.
• CHI-approved medical insurance — Premium auto-calculated by Tasheer at submission; covers the full visa validity.

Work Visa (Temporary Work / Employment) — key facts

Visa class	Work Visa (Temporary Work / Employment)
Government fee	Varies by visa class — confirm on the official portal
Processing time	15–30 working days (after Saudi-side approvals are complete)
Allowed stay	Up to 90 days on entry; thereafter governed by the Iqama issued in Saudi Arabia
Validity	Single entry, 90 days from issuance
Entries	Single (work entry permit); Resident multi-entry available for existing Iqama holders
How to apply	Saudi employer obtains a Block Visa from the Ministry of Human Resources, transfers the visa to the applicant via Enjaz, then the applicant attests documents and books a Tasheer appointment

Proof of funds for the Saudi Arabia residence visa

As a Nepali applicant, show a 3–6 month bank statement plus income proof matched to your source: salary slips and an employer/leave letter if you're employed, business registration (PAN/VAT) and tax clearance if self-employed, or a sponsor's bank statement and a notarised sponsorship letter if someone funds your trip. Money that lands suddenly just before you apply is a common refusal trigger — keep the balance steady for months.

Processing time, validity & extension

Plan for 15–30 working days (after Saudi-side approvals are complete) once Saudi Arabia has a complete file. The visa is valid Single entry, 90 days from issuance and lets you stay Up to 90 days on entry; thereafter governed by the Iqama issued in Saudi Arabia (Single (work entry permit); Resident multi-entry available for existing Iqama holders). Apply at least 3–4 weeks before departure; festivals and embassy holidays in both countries can stretch the window. If you need longer in Saudi Arabia, ask about the in-country extension rule before your stay expires — overstaying jeopardises every future application.

Before you apply: the Nepal-side prep

Every Nepali-language document — citizenship certificate, birth or marriage certificate, property papers, income proof — must be submitted with a notary-certified English translation. Carry the original plus one photocopy of each, and make sure your name is spelled identically everywhere: passport, ticket, hotel booking and bank statement. A single mismatch is enough to trigger a query.

Why Saudi Arabia files get refused — and how to avoid it

• Inconsistent funds — a balance that jumps right before applying.
• Missing translations — Nepali documents submitted without certified English versions.
• Mismatched dates — the flight, hotel and itinerary don't line up.
• Weak ties to Nepal — no job, study, property or family pull to return to.
• Wrong visa class — applying as a tourist for a work or study purpose.

Where Nepalis apply

Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia — Kathmandu
Sumangal, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: +977 1 472 0892
Email: [email protected]
Official site: https://www.mofa.gov.sa/en/missions/Pages/MissionDetails.aspx
Visa centre: Tasheer Saudi Visa Centre — Kathmandu, Koteshwor-32, Kathmandu, Nepal (inaugurated Jan 2024).

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Saudi Arabia residence visa cost from Nepal?

The government fee varies by visa class — check the official portal, plus Nepal-side costs (photos, certified translations, bank statements, and any visa-centre charge).

How long does the Saudi Arabia residence visa take for Nepali citizens?

Allow 15–30 working days (after Saudi-side approvals are complete) from a complete submission. Apply 3–4 weeks before travel to absorb peak-season and document-request delays.

What documents do Nepalis need for the Saudi Arabia residence visa?

Passport (6+ months), photos, bank statements / proof of funds, a confirmed flight and hotel, and purpose-specific letters — with notary-certified English translations of Nepali-language documents.

Where do Nepali citizens apply for a Saudi Arabia visa?

Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia — Kathmandu, Sumangal, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal, or the visa centre Tasheer Saudi Visa Centre — Kathmandu. Online: https://vc.tasheer.com.

Get your supporting documents ready

Most Saudi Arabia visa files need a confirmed onward flight, a hotel reservation and, for tourist and visit classes, a day-by-day itinerary — with dates that match across all three. Generate embassy-ready documents in minutes:

• Dummy flight ticket for your Saudi Arabia visa — a verifiable reservation PDF.
• Dummy hotel booking for the accommodation proof.
• Travel itinerary document for proof of tour.
• All visa guides for Nepali citizens →