The Saudi investor work visa is a work visa for business owners who have formed (or are forming) a company in Saudi Arabia and wish to sponsor their own work visa through that company. Instead of an employer providing an employment contract, the applicant's own Saudi company acts as the sponsor, using its MISA licence and Commercial Registration (CR).
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Saudi Investor Work Visa
Saudi Investor Work Visa For Business Owners
Formed a company in Saudi Arabia — or about to? The investor work visa lets you sponsor your own work visa through your Saudi company, with no employment contract and no Mosadaqa attestation required. Continental Visa manages the full process from London, including QVP verification on a degree or experience basis.
- Self-Sponsored Through Your Company
- QVP on Degree or Experience Basis
- No Mosadaqa Required
Overview
What Is the Saudi Investor Work Visa?
The Saudi investor work visa is a work visa designed for foreign business owners who have formed — or are in the process of forming — a company in Saudi Arabia and wish to sponsor their own work visa through that company. Rather than relying on an employer, your own Saudi company acts as your sponsor.
The process is closely related to the standard Saudi work visa, with two important differences that make it simpler for business owners:
- No employment contract — instead, your company’s MISA licence and Commercial Registration (CR) are used to establish your sponsorship
- No Mosadaqa attestation required — unlike a standard work visa, you do not need your academic certificates attested through Mosadaqa
What remains the same is the requirement for QVP (Qualification Verification Programme) verification — though, as a business owner, you have the flexibility to complete QVP on either a degree basis or an experience basis. Continental Visa manages the entire investor work visa process from our London office, coordinating QVP, your medical, ACRO, and the company documentation.
Forming your company too? If you haven't yet set up your Saudi entity, our Saudi Company Formation service can handle the MISA licence and Commercial Registration, then move straight into your investor work visa — one continuous process. Get in touch →
How It Differs
Investor Work Visa vs Standard Work Visa
If you’re a business owner, the investor work visa removes two of the most time-consuming steps of a standard employer-sponsored work visa. Here’s how the two compare.
| Requirement | Standard Work Visa | Investor Work Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Sponsor | A Saudi employer | Your own Saudi company |
| Employment Contract | Required | Not required |
| Company Documents | Provided by employer | MISA licence & CR (in your name) |
| Mosadaqa Attestation | Required | Not required |
| QVP Verification | Required | Required |
| QVP Route | Typically degree basis | Degree or experience basis |
| Medical & ACRO | Required | Required |
In short: the investor work visa skips the employment contract and Mosadaqa, but you still need QVP, a medical report, and an ACRO certificate. The company documents you provide replace the employer paperwork. If you're an employee rather than a business owner, see our standard Saudi Work Visa instead.
QVP for Investors
QVP Verification — Degree or Experience Basis
QVP (Qualification Verification Programme) verification is still required for the investor work visa. As a business owner, you have two routes to completing it:
Degree-Basis QVP
If you hold a recognised academic degree, your QVP can be verified against that qualification — the same route used for a standard work visa. We coordinate the verification of your degree as part of the application.
Experience-Basis QVP
QVP can also be completed on an experience basis — verified against your professional work history rather than an academic degree. This route is useful whether or not you hold a formal degree, and is typically faster to process. It is a practical option for business owners whose strongest credential is their professional track record.
Experience-basis QVP processing: Experience-basis QVP can typically be approved within [X] working days. Timelines can vary depending on the documentation provided and current processing volumes — please contact us for further information and we'll confirm the current turnaround and the best QVP route for your situation.
Required Documents
Saudi Investor Work Visa Requirements
In place of an employment contract, the investor work visa uses your company’s documentation to establish sponsorship. Here is the full document set — we confirm exactly what applies to your case after an initial review.
Copy of the MISA Licence
A copy of your company's MISA (Ministry of Investment) licence, which permits foreign ownership of a business in Saudi Arabia.
Company Document
Copy of the CR (With Your Name)
A copy of the Commercial Registration (CR). Your name must appear on the CR, confirming your ownership or directorship in the company.
Company Document
Visa Block Number
The visa block number allocated to your company, authorising the work visa application to proceed.
Company Document
E-Wakala
The E-Wakala (electronic power of attorney) authorising the application to be processed and submitted on your behalf.
We can arrange
Medical Report
An official medical report from an approved doctor, confirming you meet the health requirements for a Saudi work visa.
We Can Assist
ACRO Police Certificate
An ACRO Police Certificate confirming your criminal record status. We can assist with obtaining and legalising the certificate.
We Can Assist
QVP Verification
QVP verification of your qualifications, completed on a degree or experience basis. Continental Visa manages this for you.
We Can Assist
Valid Passport
A passport with at least 6 months' validity remaining. Submit a clear colour scan of the photo page.
Applicant
No employment contract, no Mosadaqa. Unlike a standard work visa, the investor route does not require an employment contract or Mosadaqa attestation of your academic certificates. The MISA licence and CR take the place of employer paperwork.
Our Process
How Continental Visa Manages Your Application
From verifying your company documents to your visa being issued, we manage every step of the investor work visa process from our London office.
Initial Consultation
Share your company status and qualifications. We confirm the documents needed, advise on the right QVP route, and provide a clear timeline.
Company Document Review
We review your MISA licence, CR, visa block number and E-Wakala — confirming your name appears correctly on the CR before proceeding.
QVP Verification
We arrange QVP verification on a degree or experience basis — choosing the route that is fastest and most appropriate for your profile.
Medical & ACRO
We coordinate your medical report and ACRO Police Certificate, ensuring both meet Saudi requirements before submission.
Application & Submission
We compile the full document set, complete the application, and submit it for processing — keeping you updated at every stage.
Visa Issue & Iqama
Once the visa is issued, we brief you on entry requirements and the conversion to an investor Iqama (residency) after you arrive in Saudi Arabia.
Why Continental Visa
Why Choose Continental Visa
Investor work visa applications fail most often on avoidable issues — a CR that doesn’t show the applicant’s name, a mismatched QVP route, or an out-of-date ACRO certificate. Our team prevents these before they cost you time.
Business Owner Specialists
We handle investor and company-owner work visas regularly — we understand MISA, CR, and the self-sponsorship route in detail.
Complete End-to-End Service
From company document review to QVP, medical, ACRO and submission, we manage every step of your investor work visa.
Faster QVP Routing
We advise on degree vs experience-basis QVP and route your application down the path that is fastest for your profile.
Linked to Company Formation
Not yet incorporated? We can form your Saudi company and move straight into your investor work visa as one continuous process.
Personalised Guidance
One dedicated case handler stays in touch by phone, email, or WhatsApp throughout the process.
ICO Registered
UK-registered consultancy (ICO: ZC091062) with full GDPR compliance for your sensitive personal and company documents.
Common Questions
Saudi Investor Work Visa — FAQs
Answers to common questions about the Saudi investor work visa for business owners. For specific questions about your case, please contact us directly.
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What is a Saudi investor work visa?
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Is Mosadaqa required for the Saudi investor work visa?
No. Mosadaqa attestation is not required for the Saudi investor work visa. However, QVP (Qualification Verification Programme) verification is still required. This is one of the key differences between the investor work visa and a standard employer-sponsored Saudi work visa.
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Is QVP required for the Saudi investor work visa?
Yes. QVP verification is required for the Saudi investor work visa. QVP can be completed on the basis of your academic degree, or on an experience basis. The experience-basis route is useful whether or not you hold a formal degree and is typically faster to process. Continental Visa manages the QVP process on your behalf.
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What documents are needed for a Saudi investor work visa?
You need a copy of your company's MISA licence, a copy of the Commercial Registration (CR) showing your name, the visa block number, an E-Wakala (electronic power of attorney), a medical report, an ACRO Police Certificate, and a valid passport. QVP verification is also required. Unlike a standard work visa, no employment contract and no Mosadaqa attestation are needed.
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How is the investor work visa different from a standard Saudi work visa?
A standard Saudi work visa is sponsored by an employer and requires an employment contract and Mosadaqa attestation of qualifications. The investor work visa is self-sponsored through your own Saudi company — there is no employment contract (the MISA licence and CR are used instead) and no Mosadaqa is required. QVP verification is still required for both.
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Can I get QVP done on an experience basis?
Yes. QVP can be completed on an experience basis as well as on the basis of an academic degree. The experience-basis route is useful whether or not you hold a formal degree, and is typically faster to process. Please contact Continental Visa for current processing timelines and to confirm the right QVP route for your situation.
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What is the MISA licence?
The MISA licence is the investment licence issued by the Saudi Ministry of Investment that permits a foreign investor to own and operate a business in Saudi Arabia. It is one of the core documents used to sponsor an investor work visa, replacing the role an employer's documentation plays in a standard work visa.
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Do I need to be named on the Commercial Registration (CR)?
Yes. For the investor work visa, your name must appear on the company's Commercial Registration (CR). The CR confirms your ownership or directorship in the Saudi company that is sponsoring your visa. If your name is not yet on the CR, this must be arranged before the visa application can proceed.
Ready to Apply for Your Saudi Investor Work Visa?
Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation. Share your company status and qualifications, and we'll confirm the documents you need, the right QVP route, and a clear timeline.
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