Saudi Arabia is considered among the top choices of foreigners to work as Saudi Arabia is having tons of job opportunities for skilled as well as semi-skilled professionals and general labour workers with significantly higher salaries, end of service benefits and religious attractions as well. Majority of the people come to work in Saudi Arabia with proper and formal arrangements with a visa for the job they intend to work. However, many people from different countries of the world specially from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh etc. also try to come in Saudi Arabia with a visa which they call as Azad Visa. In this article, I will talk about What is Azad Visa? Is there really any such visa known as Azad Visa? Is Azad Visa Legal or Illegal? And if yes, why Azad Visa is Illegal and why you should not come to Saudi Arabia with any such arrangements known as Azad Visa.

Read more: Saudi Arabia Azad Visa: Is Azad Visa Legal or Illegal?

What is Saudi Arabia Azad Visa?

Many agents and recruiting agencies in some countries of South Asia especially in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan try to attract labor and other skilled or unskilled workers on the name of Saudi Arabia Azad Visa and make them to dream big as if they are really Free (Azad) to work in Saudi Arabia in any type of work they desire once they reach Saudi Arabia with Azad Visa. However, the reality is not the same as explained by such agents and recruiters.

In reality, there is no such legal visa type known as Azad Visa. Saudi Arabian Labor Laws are very strict and very precise about visa types and nature of jobs that are associated with any type of work visa.

Azad Visa is an illegal arrangement where some employer in Saudi Arabia requests authorities in a legal manner for getting visa for people required for a legal business. However, he sells that visa to some agent and then people from different countries (e.g. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan etc.) are brought into Saudi Arabia under that visa and they are given free hand illegally to work for anyone and pay some fixed money to Kafeel. The employees are brought in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under this illegal Azad Visa arrangements by recruiting them under some other legal work permit (e.g. General Worker) but they in reality don’t work for the employer who brought them.

Is Azad Visa Legal? Why Azad Visa is Illegal?

As I stated above, there is no such legal visa category known as Azad Visa. It is just an illegal arrangement to bring someone on a different visa category and then let him work for some other employer or independently by having some deal with the sponsor (kafeel). Such deal with Kafeel is usually in the form of some settlement of monthly payments to Kafeel and then working freely in an illegal manner.

As per Saudi Labor Law, you are not allowed to work for any other company or any other individual other than the employer (kafeel) who sponsored your visa and brought you in the Kingdom. As a matter of fact, you are allowed to work ONLY for the profession which you are eligible for as per your Iqama and as per your visa category.

Azad Visa is Illegal and you are subject to legal actions and severe consequences if you are caught working illegally in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with such so-called Azad Visa arrangements.

Should I go to Saudi Arabia on Azad Visa?

In a country with is extremely strict in implementation of its laws, it is insane to indulge into any such activity which may drag you to a situation where you are subject to severe penalties and legal actions. If you are approached by some agent or recruiting agency on the name of Azad Visa, simply avoid it and try to go in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through formal, legal channels and work in the profession as per your Iqama and visa category.

There are thousands of opportunities in legal manner and you can grab those legal opportunities and enjoy your stay in Saudi Arabia without any issues & can earn a decent living.

Recommended Reading: How to Get a Job in Saudi Arabia

Why you Should Not Go to Saudi Arabia on Azad Visa?

• Working in Saudi Arabia on Azad Visa is a risk as it is an illegal arrangement.
• Even if you opt for transfer of sponsorship, people who are on Azad Visa are paid significantly lower compared to those who come to Saudi Arabia in formal, legal way.
• The cost of Azad Visa will be significantly higher than a normal visa as agents will charge you a big sum of money on the name of Azad Visa.
• Azad Visa is an illegal arrangement and hence, you may face blackmailing from your Kafeel who may ask you hefty amounts every month and threatening you about legal actions if you don’t abide by.

What if You are Caught Working on Azad Visa?

Fines and penalties for those who are caught by the authorities working under Azad visa are extremely heavy. You may have to pay huge fines, legal actions, jail as well as deportation and permanent ban.