In 2025, Saudi Arabia remains the number-one overseas employment destination for Pakistanis. More than 1.2 million Pakistanis are expected to go on work visa this year under Vision 2030 mega projects (NEOM, Red Sea, Qiddiya, Riyadh Metro, etc.).
The complete process has changed a lot since 2024 because of the new QIWA platform and skill verification rules. This latest 2025 guide explains everything step-by-step with new fees, timelines, and important warnings.
1. Types of Saudi Work Visas Available for Pakistanis in 2025
- Employment Visa (تأشيرة عمل) – Most common (90% of Pakistanis)
- Domestic Worker Visa (Driver, Housemaid, Cook, Guard)
- Seasonal Work Visa (Hajj/Umrah season – 3 to 6 months)
- Skilled Professional Visa (Engineer, Doctor, Nurse, IT, Accountant)
- Azad Visa (Free Visa) – Legal but risky (explained below)
2. New Mandatory Requirements 2025 (Must Fulfil)
- Skill Verification from Pakistan Government
→ Technical Board (PBTE, Sindh TEVTA, KP TEVTA, Balochistan TEVTA)
→ For drivers: Saudi-approved driving school certificate
→ For doctors/nurses: PMDC/PMC + Saudi Prometric passed - Medical Test from Gamca/Wafid Approved Centres Only
(Old Gamca centres closed – now only Wafid centres) - Police Character Certificate (attested by MOFA Pakistan)
- Biometric Enrolment at Etimad / Gerry’s Centre
- Minimum Salary Rules (Saudi Labor Law 2025)
- Labour jobs: Minimum 2,500 SAR
- Driver: Minimum 3,000 SAR
- Housemaid: Minimum 2,500 SAR + food + accommodation
3. Complete Step-by-Step Process 2025
Step 1 → Get a Genuine Job Offer
- Through licensed Pakistani OEP (Overseas Employment Promoter) – List: protector.gov.pk
- Or direct company sponsorship (big companies like Saudi Aramco, Bin Laden, Almabani, Nesma)
- Never pay more than government-approved charges
Step 2 → Employer Registers Demand on QIWA Platform (Saudi side)
Employer will give you:
- Visa Approval Number (تأشيرة رقم)
- Job Offer Letter (عقد عمل)
Step 3 → Skill Verification & Trade Test (Pakistan)
Go to nearest TEVTA centre → Pay Rs. 3,000–6,000 → Get skill certificate within 7 days
Step 4 → Medical Test from Wafid Centre
Book online: wafid.com → Cost: Rs. 19,000–22,000
Tests include HIV, Hepatitis B/C, TB, Syphilis, etc.
Report valid only 30 days
Step 5 → Biometric & Visa Application at Etimad / Gerry’s
Visit any Etimad centre (Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan, Sialkot)
Documents required:
- Original passport (minimum 2 years validity)
- 4 photos (white background)
- Visa approval copy
- Medical report
- Police certificate
- Skill certificate
- OEP demand letter (if through agent)
Fees 2025:
- Visa processing fee: Rs. 18,000–22,000 (Etimad)
- Insurance + embassy fee: 4,000–6,000 SAR (paid by employer)
Step 6 → Visa Stamping & Final Ticket
After approval (usually 5–15 days), get visa sticker in passport → Fly within 60 days
4. Government-Approved Charges 2025 (Never Pay More)
| Category | Maximum Charges (PKR) | Who Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Service charges | 25,000–45,000 | Worker |
| Air ticket | 65,000–90,000 | Employer (mandatory) |
| Medical + insurance | Covered by employer | Employer |
| Visa fee | 100% employer | Employer |
| Skill verification | 3,000–6,000 | Worker |
Warning: Any agent asking 5–15 lakh rupees is 100% fraud.
5. Salary Packages 2025 (After New Rules)
| Profession | Basic Salary (SAR) | Total Monthly (with food + overtime) | Yearly Saving (PKR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Labour / Construction | 1,500–2,500 | 3,000–5,000 | 10–18 lakh |
| Driver (Private / Company) | 2,500–4,500 | 4,000–7,000 | 15–30 lakh |
| Mason / Shuttering Carpenter | 2,200–3,800 | 5,000–9,000 | 20–40 lakh |
| Steel Fixer / Electrician | 2,500–4,500 | 6,000–12,000 | 25–50 lakh |
| Nurse | 4,500–8,000 | 7,000–15,000 | 40–80 lakh |
| Civil Engineer | 8,000–25,000 | 15,000–40,000 | 1–3 crore |
6. Top Recruiting OEPs in Pakistan 2025 (Licensed & Trusted)
- Al-Falah Manpower
- Union Manpower Services
- Mid City Manpower
- Al-Madina Overseas
- Gulf Overseas
Check licence at: oepl.org.pk or protector.gov.pk
7. New Rules & Warnings 2025
- Azad Visa is still legal but if you don’t find work in 90 days → deportation + 5-year ban
- No visa for age above 55 years (except highly skilled)
- Female domestic workers must be 30+ years old
- Fake medical = lifetime ban
- Changing profession after arrival is almost impossible now
8. Fastest Visa Categories in 2025
- Construction workers (NEOM & Qiddiya projects) – 15–30 days
- Drivers (Uber/Careem Saudi partners) – 20–40 days
- Nurses & technicians (Saudi German, Dallah hospitals) – 30–60 days
Final Checklist Before Flying
- Original passport + visa
- Iqama will be issued within 7 days of arrival
- Don’t carry more than 50,000 SAR cash
- Keep employer contact number saved
Saudi Arabia is giving golden opportunities in 2025. Follow only legal process, never pay extra money to agents, and InshaAllah you will reach safely with good salary.
For daily Saudi job updates, join verified WhatsApp groups or visit protector.gov.pk daily.
Best of luck for your Saudi Arabia journey 2025!
Mujhe job chai he bhai maharbani ho gi