Saudi Arabia introduces SR100 work permit requirement for Premium Residency holders

Saudi Arabia has introduced a mandatory work permit requirement for holders of Premium Residency, marking another step in the Kingdom’s efforts to streamline labour market regulations and employment procedures through its digital workforce platform, Qiwa.

The new requirement, announced by Qiwa, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s digital labour services platform, requires Premium Residency holders seeking employment to obtain a dedicated work permit at a fee of SAR100.

The update forms part of a broader package of clarifications issued by Qiwa covering employment regulations, training programmes, resignation procedures, and visa services.

According to the platform, subscription fees for businesses using Qiwa will continue to be calculated based on workforce size, with charges determined by the total number of employees registered under an establishment’s unified number.

Qiwa also outlined updates related to the Tamheer training programme, confirming that training agreements for programme participants can now be documented electronically through the platform. However, the platform clarified that these training contracts will not count towards Saudisation targets and will be excluded from employment contract compliance assessments.

In a move aimed at enhancing flexibility for workers, Qiwa said employees can withdraw resignation requests within seven days, provided the employer has not issued a final decision on the resignation during that period. The platform noted that notice periods remain subject to the terms specified in individual employment contracts.

The digital platform further reiterated that visa information cannot be modified once a visa has been issued. Employers and applicants who enter incorrect information must cancel the existing visa and submit a new application with the corrected details.

Qiwa also highlighted multiple payment options for its services, including bank cards, SADAD payment numbers, and the platform’s digital wallet.

The latest measures reflect Saudi Arabia’s continued push to digitise labour market services, improve regulatory compliance, and create a more transparent employment ecosystem as part of the Kingdom’s broader economic transformation agenda.