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Qiwa
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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.

Last refreshed: 2 July 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

What is Qiwa and why do Saudi golden-visa holders now need it?

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Background

Qiwa is Saudi Arabia's digital labour-market platform, run by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD). From June 2026 it issues the work permit that holders of the Premium Residency Programme, the kingdom's golden-Visa scheme, must now obtain before taking any job.

The permit costs a base fee of SAR 100 plus subscription fees that scale with employer size, and it carries no stated grace period. Once issued, a permit cannot be amended, so an employer that files under the wrong category has no route to correct it.

Qiwa already administers Saudi Arabia's Saudisation quotas, the rules requiring employers to hire a set proportion of Saudi nationals, so extending it to Premium Residency holders keeps labour-market sponsorship control centralised in one platform even as the kingdom sells long-term residence separately from work rights.

Common Questions
What is Qiwa in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia's digital labour-market platform, run by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, which manages work permits and Saudisation compliance.Source: event
Do Premium Residency holders need a Qiwa work permit?
Yes, from June 2026 they must obtain a separate work permit through Qiwa before taking any job.Source: event
How much does a Qiwa work permit cost?
A base fee of SAR 100, plus additional fees that scale with employer size.Source: event
Who runs the Qiwa platform?
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.Source: event