An increasing number of Latin American professionals are approaching embassies and consulates to apply for visas to work in Saudi Arabia, which today has a well-positioned economy that keeps on growing.
However, this process has specific requirements that you should be aware of.
To have a better understanding of the workings behind this labor migration, let us briefly introduce you to the economic context in Saudi Arabia and why it is now in its new golden age.
Saudi Arabia is currently working on highly ambitious projects, with a GDP of 700 billion USD, mainly driven by the oil and gas industry.
But these projects require a collective effort, and with roughly 35 million inhabitants, Saudi Arabia needs a lot more foreign workforce with very specific skills.
So it's simple math, Saudi Arabia requires more labor with very specific knowledge.
Some of the most requested positions so far this year are:
- Petroleum Engineers
- Mechanical Engineers
- Chemical Engineers
Now, you may be asking:
"If I have these skills and I am from Latin America, how can I apply for a visa to Saudi Arabia?"
If you are a professional traveling to perform a work activity with a company based in Saudi Arabia, you must apply for a work visa.
For this visa to be approved you must have:
- A letter of employment from the company where you will be working, certified by the Saudi Arabian Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Passport valid for the duration of your contract.
- Signed medical report.
- Signed copy of your contract.
- Certified copy of your university degree.
Up to this point, it might seem like a regular immigration process; however, visas for Saudi Arabia may require additional elements.
These visa procedures are handled independently in each embassy or consulate and the analysis of each visa case is extremely thorough, evaluating aspects such as the applicant's country of origin, his or her career, and the position he or she will hold.
A visa process for Saudi Arabia requires precision and close attention to detail, since any oversight may cause your visa to be delayed or denied.
At Saudi Visa Connect, we have been attracting talent to the Middle East for more than 20 years. We understand how stressful and complex this process can be, considering that each case may involve various factors and entities.
It can be overwhelming if you do it on your own; therefore, if you are a Latin American professional looking to obtain your visa, we can advise you today.
Contact us and we will be happy to answer all your questions.