Article 4 of the Saudi Temporary Work Visa Regulation
المادة 4 من اللائحة التنظيمية لتأشيرات العمل المؤقت والعمل المؤقت لخدمات الحج والعمرة · الفصل الثاني: تأشيرة العمل المؤقت
Article 4 sets the stay of a temporary work visa holder at ninety days from entry, extendable once for an equal period, and requires the holder to leave before it ends.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
مدة الإقامة لحامل تأشيرة العمل المؤقت (تسعون) يوماً من تاريخ دخوله بها للمملكة، وللوزارة تمديدها مدة مماثلة لمرة واحدة. وعلى حامل التأشيرة مغادرة المملكة قبل انتهاء تلك المدة.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 4 explained in plain English
After the worker enters the Kingdom on the temporary work visa, this article sets how long he may stay:
- The original period: 90 days counted from the date he enters the Kingdom on the visa, not from the date it was issued.
- Extension: the Ministry may extend it for an equal period (90 days) once only. The extension is a power of the Ministry, not an automatic right.
- Departure: the visa holder must leave the Kingdom before the period ends.
The longest a worker can therefore stay under this text is 180 days, if the Ministry approves the extension. The establishment should plan the length of the work on that basis.
This period must be distinguished from the visa's period of validity in Article 3 (one year from issuance): the first is for using the visa to enter, and the second is for the length of stay after entry. As for violations of the provisions on this visa, Article 19 refers their penalty to the Labor Law and other relevant laws. Anyone with a particular situation may consult a lawyer specializing in recruitment and visa regulations.
Practical example
A technician entered the Kingdom on a temporary work visa to work for a company in Riyadh. He may stay 90 days from the date of entry. If the company needs him for longer, the Ministry may extend his stay by another 90 days, once only, and he must leave before it ends.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Active contributorFrequently asked questions about Article 4 of the Saudi Temporary Work Visa Regulation
How long may one stay on a temporary work visa?
90 days from the date the holder enters the Kingdom.
Can a temporary work visa be extended?
The Ministry may extend the period of stay for an equal period, once only.
When must the holder of a temporary visa leave?
Before the period of stay set for him ends.
More articles on Temporary Work Visa
- Article 2
Article 2 gives the Ministry, in coordination with the relevant entities, the power to set the purposes and occupations of the temporary work visa and the technical and professional requirements for the worker.
1- تحدد الوزارة، بالتنسيق مع الجهات ذات العلاقة، الأغراض والمهن التي تشملها تأشيرة العمل المؤقت. 2- تحدد الوزارة بالتنسيق مع الجهات ذات العلاقة الاشتراطات الفني
- Article 3
Article 3 makes the temporary work visa valid for one year from issuance and cancels it automatically if unused; it may be cancelled earlier at its holder's request, with the fee recovered.
1- مدة صلاحية تأشيرة العمل المؤقت (سنة) من تاريخ صدورها. 2- تلغي الوزارة -آليًّا- تأشيرة العمل المؤقت غير المستخدمة بعد انتهاء مدة صلاحيتها، أو قبل ذلك بناءً عل
- Article 5
Article 5 makes the Ministry responsible for reviewing temporary work visa applications, determining their numbers and issuing the necessary permits in accordance with the specified conditions and controls.
تتولى الوزارة دراسة طلبات تأشيرة العمل المؤقت، وتحديدَ أعدادها، وإصدار الأذونات اللازمة، وذلك وفق الشروط والضوابط المحددة.
- Article 6
Article 6 provides that the Ministry sends temporary work visa permits automatically to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue them after the Kingdom's missions verify the worker's eligibility.
ترسل الوزارة آليًّا الأذونات الخاصة بتأشيرة العمل المؤقت إلى وزارة الخارجية؛ لإصدار التأشيرة، بعد قيام ممثليات المملكة في الخارج باتخاذ الإجراءات اللازمة؛ للتحق
- Article 7
Article 7 requires the temporary work visa applicant to submit to the Kingdom's missions, before the visa is granted, a copy of the employment contract signed by both parties and medical insurance for the worker.
يقدم طالب تأشيرة العمل المؤقت إلى ممثليات المملكة في الخارج، قبل منحه التأشيرة، ما يأتي: 1- نسخة من عقد العمل الموقع من طرفيه. 2- تأمين طبي للعامل المطلوب له ال
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.