Saudi Arabia has strict regulations in place regarding the hiring of foreigners, and for some industries and job roles there are regulations in place to ensure a certain % of employees are Saudis and limiting the number of expatriates that can be hired for certain roles. Companies are required to provide an update each quarter on the % and job titles of any expatriates they employ.
In order to obtain a work visa, a foreigner must first have a job offer from a Saudi employer or sponsor. The employer must then obtain approval from the Ministry of Labor. Once the work visa is granted, the foreigner must obtain a residency permit, which must be renewed every year. In addition, employers are required to withhold taxes from the salaries of their foreign employees.
There are a number of visas and work permits available to foreign workers, and the requirements vary depending on the type of work you wish to hire them for. In general, however, employees must obtain a sponsorship from a Saudi Arabian employer, as well as a work permit from the Ministry of Labor. The process can be time-consuming and complicated, but working with a PEO/EOR in Saudi Arabia with specialist knowledge of local regulations can help make the process smoother.