Qiwa
Saudi Arabia's digital Labour-market platform, run by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, that now issues the work permit Premium Residency holders must obtain before taking a job.
Saudi Premium Residency holders now register their work contracts through Qiwa, after the residency centre linked 31 services to government platforms on 22 September; since June, Qiwa has also issued the separate work permit those residents need before taking a job.
Last refreshed: 3 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
What is Qiwa and why do Saudi golden-visa holders now need it?
Timeline for Qiwa
Registered Premium Residency holders' work contracts
Nomads & Communities: Saudi premium residents gain 31 servicesMentioned in: Hospital cover becomes a residence test
Nomads & CommunitiesSaudi golden visa loses its work right
Nomads & CommunitiesBackground
Qiwa is Saudi Arabia's digital Labour-market platform, run by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. Employers use it for work permits, employment contracts and compliance with Saudisation quotas, the rules requiring firms to hire a set share of Saudi nationals.
Since June 2026 it also issues the work permit that holders of the Premium Residency Programme must obtain before taking a job. The permit costs a base fee of 100 riyals plus employer-size subscription fees, carries no grace period, and cannot be amended once issued, so an employer that files under the wrong category has no route to correct it.
Premium residents' work contracts now register through the platform too, under 31 services the Premium Residency Center added on 22 September 2026. The result keeps control of Labour sponsorship in one government system even as The Kingdom sells long-term residence separately from the right to work.
Qiwa gates Premium Residency work rights
From June 2026 holders of Saudi Arabia's Premium Residency, The Kingdom's golden visa, must obtain a work permit through Qiwa before taking any job. The permit carries a base fee of 100 riyals plus subscription fees that scale with employer size, has no grace period and cannot be amended once issued.
Qiwa's role widened on 22 September, when the Premium Residency Center added 31 services that link residents' work contracts, property deals and vehicle imports to government platforms. The work contracts now register through Qiwa, which makes the platform the record of every premium resident's employment as well as its gatekeeper.