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

> Saudi Iqama & Long-Term Residence Visa for Nepalis: How to Stay Legally — verified against Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia — Kathmandu: fee, processing time, document checklist, proof of funds, embassy contact, and how Nepali citizens apply.

_Published: 2026-07-10 · Updated: 2026-07-10 · Reading time: 4 min · Words: 964_

## TL;DR

Saudi Arabia residence visa, Nepali passport (2026): processing 15–30 working days (after Saudi-side approvals are complete), stay Up to 90 days on entry; thereafter governed by the Iqama issued in Saudi Arabia. Apply through Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia — Kathmandu / Tasheer Saudi Visa Centre — K…

## Key takeaways

- 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.
- Apply at: Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia — Kathmandu (Tasheer Saudi Visa Centre — Kathmandu).
- Certified English translations are mandatory for Nepali-language documents.

**The Saudi Arabia residence visa for Nepali citizens has a fee that depends on the visa class and takes 15–30 working days (after Saudi-side approvals are complete) to process, allowing a stay of Up to 90 days on entry; thereafter governed by the Iqama issued in Saudi Arabia. Apply Saudi employer ob…**

## Article

Saudi Arabia residence visa for Nepali citizens (2026). Saudi Iqama &amp; 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 classWork Visa (Temporary Work / Employment)
Government feeVaries by visa class — confirm on the official portal
Processing time15–30 working days (after Saudi-side approvals are complete)
Allowed stayUp to 90 days on entry; thereafter governed by the Iqama issued in Saudi Arabia
ValiditySingle entry, 90 days from issuance
EntriesSingle (work entry permit); Resident multi-entry available for existing Iqama holders

How to applySaudi 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 &amp; 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: kaemb@mofa.gov.sa
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 →

## FAQ

### 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.

## Sources

1. [Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia — Kathmandu — official site](https://www.mofa.gov.sa/en/missions/Pages/MissionDetails.aspx)
2. [Saudi Arabia official visa portal](https://vc.tasheer.com)
