What the Saudi work permit is
A work permit in Saudi Arabia is the official document that lets a foreign national work legally in the Kingdom. It is issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), and expatriates need it for jobs in healthcare, engineering, education and many other sectors. The Saudi work permit helps the government regulate the employment of foreign workers and check that each one meets the qualifications for the role. If your employer or the office asks for a Saudi Arabia work permit photo, it pays to get the photo right the first time.
Saudi Arabia work permit photo size explained
The photo is 4×6 cm, which is 40 mm wide and 60 mm tall. This is a portrait format, taller than it is wide. In our template the head is about 38 mm from the chin to the top of the head, and there is about 6 mm of space between the top edge of the photo and the hair. A photo printed at 300 DPI stays sharp at this size. Our tool checks the size and proportions of the photo before you download it, so you do not have to measure anything by hand.
Background and colour of the photo
The background should be plain and light, and our template uses a light grey tone. It must be even, with no shadows, patterns, furniture or other people behind you. The photo is in colour; leave out filters and heavy retouching so your face in the photo looks the way it does in real life. You do not need a studio wall at home: our AI replaces the background of your photo automatically.
How the Saudi work permit application works
You do not apply for the permit alone. First you secure a job offer from an employer registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The employer then starts the application on the ministry's online system, Mudad, and submits a copy of your passport, the employment contract, your educational and experience certificates and a medical report. Once the permit is approved, the employer applies for a work visa for you through the embassy or consulate in your home country; the employer usually pays the visa fees.
After a medical examination at an approved medical centre, you submit the required documents to the HRSD for final approval, and the permit is issued. When you arrive in Saudi Arabia, you present the permit and visa to immigration. Ask your employer early which photo format they need from you, so the photo is ready when the paperwork starts.
Documents you will need
- A valid passport with at least six months of validity.
- A signed employment contract from an employer in Saudi Arabia.
- A medical report, including tests for communicable diseases.
- Educational certificates, attested by the appropriate authorities.
- Proof of work experience in your field, where required.
- A police clearance certificate, where required.
Your employer will tell you whether a photo should go with these documents and in what format.
Printed photo or digital photo file
The photo may be printed or uploaded online as a file, depending on what your employer or the office asks for. With our tool you get both from one picture: a digital photo file for online forms, and a print-ready 4×6 cm photo at 300 DPI. Print the photo at home or at any photo shop, then cut along the guides. Keep the original digital photo, as you may need extra photos later, for example when the permit is renewed.
How to prepare the photo at home
A good photo starts with good light. Stand facing a window during the day, so the light falls evenly on your face, and turn off overhead lamps that add yellow tones or shadows. Ask someone to take the photo from about one to two metres away, or hold the phone yourself at arm's length with the camera at eye level. Take several photos and choose the sharpest one, with your eyes open and your face relaxed.
Wear everyday clothes in a colour that stands out from a light grey background, and keep your hair away from your eyes. Keep your face fully visible, with no hand, phone or shadow covering any part of it. Then upload the photo: our AI crops it to 40×60 mm, places your head at the right height and replaces the background. You see the result next to the original photo and can try another photo if you are not happy with it.
Before you print, look at the finished photo at full size. The photo should be sharp around the eyes, with natural skin colour and no glare. If the photo looks dark or grainy, take a new photo in better daylight instead of brightening it with a filter. A clean original photo gives the best print.
Work permit photo checklist
- Correct photo size: 4×6 cm (40×60 mm), portrait orientation.
- Head about 38 mm tall, with a small gap above the hair.
- Plain light grey background, no shadows or patterns.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open.
- Head straight and centred, face fully visible.
- Sharp, recent colour photo with no filters.
Renewal and family members
A Saudi work permit is usually issued for one to two years, depending on the employment contract, and it can be renewed when it expires. Foreign workers may be able to bring a spouse and children to Saudi Arabia, but family members apply for family visas separately. If those applications ask for a photo, each person needs their own photo, children included.
Living and working in Saudi Arabia
Before you travel, it is worth reading about the labour laws of Saudi Arabia, including working hours, your rights and your obligations as an employee. Respect for local customs and traditions also matters for anyone who lives and works in Saudi Arabia. Your employer is usually the best first contact for questions about the permit, the visa and the documents you need, including the photo. Keep copies of every document and a few spare photos, in case you need them later.
Saudi photo sizes for other documents
Each document in the Kingdom has its own photo format, so a photo made for one document is not always right for another. If you also need a passport or an ID card, see our Saudi Arabia passport photo and Saudi Arabia ID card photo pages, and for a pilgrimage see the Saudi Hajj visa photo page. Our tool makes each photo in the right size from the same selfie.
