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Saudi Arabia work visa requirements for Sri Lankan citizens

For Sri passport holders · Checked 2026-08-15

Route available

Saudi Arabia issues work visas against an employer quota, and Sri Lanka requires the demand to be an SLBFE-approved job order first.

What the employer must have

  • The Saudi employer must hold approved work-visa quota through Qiwa and request authorisation via Saudi MOFA e-services.
  • The demand must be approved by SLBFE as a job order.

What you must do before you leave

  1. Register with SLBFE before you leave. It is not optional: section 53(3) of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Act No. 21 of 1985 requires every Sri Lankan leaving for employment to register with the Bureau first, and registration is what puts you inside the welfare and insurance system if things go wrong.
  2. Use a licensed foreign employment agency and check its licence number on slbfe.lk before you hand over anything.
  3. Ask for the JOB ORDER, and read the maximum fee printed on it. SLBFE approves each job order with a maximum amount the Sri Lankan agency may charge you — charging above it is an offence, and the figure is published on SLBFE's own site for anyone to check.
  4. Complete the pre-departure training the Bureau requires for your job category and keep the certificate.
  5. Saudi requires a medical at an accredited (GAMCA/Wafid) clinic — that cost is separate from, and does not raise, the maximum fee printed on your job order.

Things to watch

  • SLBFE states plainly that it cannot guarantee a listed vacancy is still open, because the agency may already have filled it. Always confirm the job order is live before you pay, resign or travel.
  • The maximum chargeable amount on the job order is the whole protection. If an agency asks for more than the printed figure, that is the moment to walk away and report it to SLBFE — not after you have paid.
  • Your stay is tied to the sponsor. Keep the job order and your SLBFE registration.

⚠️ Never pay anyone for a job offer or a visa on this route. Legitimate employers and licensed agents do not charge workers for jobs.

Official sources

This describes the immigration system, not your personal case, and not this specific vacancy.

Common questions

Can a Sri Lankan passport holder work in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia issues work visas against an employer quota, and Sri Lanka requires the demand to be an SLBFE-approved job order first.

What does an employer in Saudi Arabia need before hiring a Sri Lankan worker?

The Saudi employer must hold approved work-visa quota through Qiwa and request authorisation via Saudi MOFA e-services. The demand must be approved by SLBFE as a job order.

What must a Sri Lankan citizen do before leaving to work in Saudi Arabia?

Register with SLBFE before you leave. It is not optional: section 53(3) of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Act No. 21 of 1985 requires every Sri Lankan leaving for employment to register with the Bureau first, and registration is what puts you inside the welfare and insurance system if things go wrong. Use a licensed foreign employment agency and check its licence number on slbfe.lk before you hand over anything. Ask for the JOB ORDER, and read the maximum fee printed on it. SLBFE approves each job order with a maximum amount the Sri Lankan agency may charge you — charging above it is an offence, and the figure is published on SLBFE's own site for anyone to check. Complete the pre-departure training the Bureau requires for your job category and keep the certificate. Saudi requires a medical at an accredited (GAMCA/Wafid) clinic — that cost is separate from, and does not raise, the maximum fee printed on your job order.

What should Sri Lankan workers watch out for with Saudi Arabia job offers?

SLBFE states plainly that it cannot guarantee a listed vacancy is still open, because the agency may already have filled it. Always confirm the job order is live before you pay, resign or travel. The maximum chargeable amount on the job order is the whole protection. If an agency asks for more than the printed figure, that is the moment to walk away and report it to SLBFE — not after you have paid. Your stay is tied to the sponsor. Keep the job order and your SLBFE registration.

Should I pay an agent for a job in Saudi Arabia?

No. Never pay anyone for a job offer, a visa, or a place on a list. Legitimate recruitment for this route does not require the worker to pay for the job itself. Verify any agent against the official registers linked on this page.

Other countries Sri Lankan citizens can work in

All work visa guides

1,200 live Saudi Arabia vacancies for Sri Lankan workers

From Sri Lanka's SLBFE register — vacancies registered for Sri Lankan workers.

See all jobs and apply