Visa Documentation
Saudi Visa Documentation Support from India
Saudi visa files from India split into clear lanes once the visa type is known, and the document set is different in each lane. Work visa (degree-holder or blue-collar) needs degree-and-transcript attestation, experience certificates, GAMCA, and a Saudi-side qualification program (QVP, Mosaddaqa, Saudi Culture Attestation, or SVP). Family visa (Yellow Slip) for adding spouse and children to a candidate already in Saudi needs marriage certificate, birth certificates, vaccination certificates, and GAMCA for adult family members. Tourist visa needs 6-month bank statement, PAN, photo, and passport; biometric is done at VFS. Umrah visa needs passport copy, photo, and PAN. Business visa documentation depends on the host company and the visit purpose.
Saudi visa files from India split into clear lanes once the visa type is known, and the document set is different in each lane. Work visa (degree-holder or blue-collar) needs degree-and-transcript attestation, experience certificates, GAMCA, and a Saudi-side qualification program (QVP, Mosaddaqa, Saudi Culture Attestation, or SVP). Family visa (Yellow Slip) for adding spouse and children to a candidate already in Saudi needs marriage certificate, birth certificates, vaccination certificates, and GAMCA for adult family members. Tourist visa needs 6-month bank statement, PAN, photo, and passport; biometric is done at VFS. Umrah visa needs passport copy, photo, and PAN. Business visa documentation depends on the host company and the visit purpose.
Saudi joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 7 December 2022. For Indian documents going to Saudi (degrees, transcripts, marksheets, marriage certificates, birth certificates, vaccination certificates), the chain ends at MEA apostille; the older Saudi Embassy attestation chain that applied before that date no longer applies to apostille-eligible documents. What did not change: certified Arabic translation is still mandatory on personal documents, and educational documents still need State HRD before MEA. The change is at the MEA end, apostille replaces attestation; the chain before MEA is the same.
Saudi-side document processes that sit on top of the India-side apostille are where most applicants lose time. QVP, Mosaddaqa, and Saudi Culture Attestation are three separate qualification-verification programs at the Saudi end, applicable to different job categories; the candidate cannot pick one freely, the Saudi recruitment or hiring system decides which program applies based on the job code. SVP is the skill-verification track for blue-collar workers; appointments are booked in Indian cities. SCFHS is the healthcare-licensing track and runs through DataFlow, Prometric, and Mumaris+ (see the SCFHS DataFlow page for the healthcare-specific chain).
Send a clear scan of the documents you have, the destination Saudi recipient (employer, family file, tourist, Umrah, business host), and the deadline on WhatsApp +91-9220161774. SiZA Global confirms the visa lane that applies to your case, the document set required, the State HRD or SDM / Home Department / Chamber routes for each document, the Saudi-side verification program (QVP, Mosaddaqa, Saudi Culture Attestation, SVP, or SCFHS) where applicable, the GAMCA appointment where needed, the Arabic translation, the visa-stamping appointment at the Saudi Embassy New Delhi or Saudi Consulate Mumbai, and a written quote that separates each fee before originals move.
Who reads this guide
- Indian degree-holders going to Saudi for white-collar jobs (engineers, IT professionals, accountants, project managers), where the degree plus transcript apostille and a Saudi-side qualification verification (QVP, Mosaddaqa, or Saudi Culture Attestation) are required before visa stamping
- Indian healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors, pharmacists, dentists, allied health) on the SCFHS licensing track, where DataFlow primary-source verification runs alongside the apostille chain and Prometric exam
- Indian blue-collar workers (electricians, plumbers, technicians, drivers) going to Saudi where SVP (Takamol Skill Verification Program) appointments and the work-visa stamping at the Saudi Embassy New Delhi or Consulate Mumbai are coordinated together
- Families adding a spouse and children to a candidate already in Saudi (Yellow Slip), where marriage and birth certificates need apostille and Arabic translation, and adult family members need GAMCA medical fitness
- Indian tourists, Umrah pilgrims, and business visitors to Saudi where the document set is smaller (bank statement, PAN, photo, passport) but the visa-application and biometric coordination at VFS still matters
What we usually receive
- Original degree certificate with transcript or consolidated marksheet (paired) for work-visa files
- Original marriage certificate and birth certificates of dependent children for family-visa (Yellow Slip) files
- Original vaccination certificates (CoWIN PDF or paper) for family-visa and certain work-visa categories
- Original experience certificates from previous employers (where the Saudi employer asks for them)
- Passport with at least six months remaining validity for the candidate and family members
- GAMCA medical reference (the GAMCA report itself is a separate process, but the visa file refers to it)
- Wakala (visa-issuance authorisation) from the Saudi employer or sponsor where applicable
How a typical file is processed
Send clear scans of the documents you have, the destination Saudi recipient (employer, family file, tourist, Umrah, business host), and the deadline on WhatsApp +91-9220161774
We identify the visa lane (work degree-holder, work blue-collar, family Yellow Slip, tourist, Umrah, business), the document set required, and any Saudi-side verification program that applies
India-side chain runs (State HRD for educational, SDM or Home Department for personal, Chamber of Commerce for experience certificates), then MEA apostille
Arabic translation prepared after the apostille is placed, with consistent transliteration across the document set
GAMCA appointment coordination (where applicable), Saudi-side verification program (QVP, Mosaddaqa, Saudi Culture Attestation, or SVP) running in parallel, visa-stamping appointment at the Saudi Embassy New Delhi or Saudi Consulate Mumbai based on jurisdiction
Pre-shipping checks
Catch the avoidable issues at scan stage
- 1
Saudi visa work splits into different categories: employment, family (Yellow Slip), professional or healthcare (with QVP, Mosaddaqa, Saudi Culture, SCFHS, or SVP), tourist, and Umrah. The first thing we do is identify which category you are on, because the checklist for each is different.
- 2
Family and employment files should not share one checklist. A family file needs the marriage certificate, the dependent birth certificates, GAMCA for adults, and a vaccination certificate that has been legalised through Notary, SDM, MEA, apostille, and Arabic translation. An employment file needs the degree, the experience certificate, the contract, GAMCA, and whatever Saudi-side verification (QVP, Mosaddaqa, SCFHS, SVP) your job code triggers.
- 3
Saudi-side changes from an employer or sponsor (a revised job code, a different sponsor name, a corrected employer letter) are common during the file. We fold them in before the final submission, not after. Patching a file after documents are already attested is more expensive and slower than catching the change early.
Working-day factors
- State HRD pace for the issuing state on educational documents (8 to 45 working days, varies sharply by state and university)
- MEA apostille after state-side completion, typically 2 to 3 working days
- Arabic translation page count, typically 2 to 5 working days for a candidate's document set
- GAMCA appointment availability (where applicable) and report turnaround
- Saudi-side verification program (QVP, Mosaddaqa, Saudi Culture Attestation, or SVP) running in parallel, varies by program and applicant
- Visa-stamping appointment slot at Saudi Embassy New Delhi or Consulate Mumbai, plus the stamping turnaround
Avoidable errors we flag in advance
- Treating Saudi as a non-Hague embassy-attestation destination, this changed on 7 December 2022, the chain now ends at MEA apostille for educational and personal documents from India
- Skipping State HRD on the degree, sending it through SDM instead, Saudi educational documents still require State HRD before MEA apostille even after the Hague joining
- Doing the Arabic translation before MEA apostille, the Arabic version then does not cover the apostille stamp and has to be redone
- Assuming the GAMCA test is part of the apostille chain, GAMCA is the GCC work-visa medical fitness test and is a separate process from document apostille
- Booking the Saudi Embassy New Delhi or Consulate Mumbai visa-stamping appointment before the document set is fully ready, the appointment may not be rescheduled cleanly if the file is incomplete
Why customers choose SiZA
- Post-7-December-2022 chain correctness, Saudi joined the Hague Apostille Convention on that date, so educational and personal documents now end at MEA apostille (not Saudi Embassy attestation, which several older agents and guides still incorrectly describe). We run the apostille chain, not the legacy Embassy chain
- Saudi-side verification program matching to job category, QVP for many white-collar roles, Mosaddaqa for some, Saudi Culture Attestation for others, SVP for blue-collar; the Saudi recruitment system decides which one applies based on the job code, we identify the right one before any verification fee moves
- GAMCA medical appointment coordination where applicable (for work visas and family Yellow Slip adult members), without claiming any control over the medical result or report timeline
- Mandatory Arabic translation on every personal document and most educational documents, by registered Arabic translators after the apostille is placed, with consistent transliteration across the candidate's full document set so Saudi authorities do not query a name mismatch
- Visa-stamping appointment at the Saudi Embassy New Delhi or Saudi Consulate Mumbai based on the candidate's jurisdiction, with the document set ready in advance so the appointment does not come back for a re-submission
Completed Work Example
This is a completed Visa Documentation document. All customer names, reference numbers, and identifying details have been removed before publication.
Not sure how to start?
The Review Before Originals Move
Every original handled by SiZA goes through a scan-stage check first: issuing-state route, document readiness, name match, destination expectation, so the courier carries the document only once, on the correct chain.
What to send first
Review the requirement
Share the document scan, destination country, purpose, deadline, and where the original document is currently kept.
Confirm the right process
SiZA checks whether the file needs apostille, embassy attestation, HRD/Home, Chamber, translation, visa documentation, or a combined process.
Handle and update
Once the scope is clear, the file moves through the required steps with practical updates by WhatsApp or email.
Proof and return
After completion, SiZA shares completion proof, confirms payment and courier preference, then packs and dispatches the document safely.
Share scan
Process confirmed
Originals received if required
Completion proof
Payment and return
Original document safety
Trust, Custody And Safety
These documents are not ordinary papers. They may be your degree, birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport file, company resolution, or export paperwork. SiZA treats that responsibility seriously.
Original-Document Care
Original personal and company documents are handled with careful custody, privacy, and controlled handoff.
Clear Updates
Customers receive updates through WhatsApp or email as the file moves through review, submission, completion, and dispatch.
Completion Proof
When work is completed, SiZA can share photos or videos so the customer can verify the result before return dispatch.
Safe Return
Return delivery is packed carefully and sent through trusted courier options after address and courier preference are confirmed.
No Shortcut Claims
SiZA does not promise fake shortcuts, bypass personal appearance rules, or help with forged or non-genuine documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need Saudi Embassy attestation on my degree, or is apostille enough?
Saudi Arabia joined the Hague Apostille Convention on 7 December 2022, so for Indian degrees, transcripts, marksheets, marriage certificates, birth certificates, and vaccination certificates, the chain ends at MEA apostille. The older Saudi Embassy attestation chain that applied before that date no longer applies to apostille-eligible documents. Educational documents still need State HRD before MEA, and personal documents still need SDM or Home Department before MEA, but the destination-side step is now MEA apostille, not Saudi Embassy attestation.
What is the difference between QVP, Mosaddaqa, and Saudi Culture Attestation?
All three are Saudi-side qualification-verification programs for white-collar work visas, but they apply to different job categories. QVP (Takamol Qualification Verification Program) is the most common track. Mosaddaqa is a separate verification process used for some job categories. Saudi Culture Attestation is a third track used for certain education-related job categories. The candidate cannot pick one freely, the Saudi recruitment or hiring system decides which one applies based on the job code on the visa application. State HRD on the degree is mandatory before any of these.
Do I need GAMCA before or after document apostille?
GAMCA and document apostille are two parallel processes; they do not depend on each other. GAMCA is the GCC work-visa medical fitness test (the test report itself is what employers and embassies need). Document apostille is the India-side authentication of degrees, marriage certificates, and other documents. Both have to be ready at the time of visa stamping at the Saudi Embassy New Delhi or Consulate Mumbai. Most candidates do them in parallel so the file is ready on time.
Where do I get my Saudi work visa stamped, Delhi or Mumbai?
The jurisdiction depends on the candidate's state of residence in India. The Saudi Embassy in New Delhi handles candidates from north and east India and from certain other states; the Saudi Consulate in Mumbai handles candidates from west and south India and from certain other states. We identify the right jurisdiction based on the candidate's state and book the appointment accordingly.
My family is in Saudi and I need to add them on the Yellow Slip. What documents do I need from India?
For the Saudi family-residence file (Yellow Slip), you typically need the apostilled marriage certificate, apostilled birth certificates of the children, apostilled vaccination certificates, and Arabic translations of each. Adult family members must undergo GAMCA medical testing. The apostille on the vaccination certificate is mandatory at the visa or biometric appointment. We coordinate the full document set with your family in India while you handle the sponsor side from Saudi.
I am a nurse going to Saudi. Is this page for my file or is SCFHS / DataFlow different?
Healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors, pharmacists, allied health) going to Saudi follow the SCFHS licensing track, which runs DataFlow primary-source verification of credentials, Prometric exam, Mumaris+ practitioner registration, and SCFHS classification, alongside the Saudi visa file. The apostille chain and Arabic translation in this page still apply to your educational documents; the SCFHS-specific pieces (DataFlow case, Prometric scheduling, Mumaris+) are on the SCFHS / DataFlow page for healthcare professionals.
Can I get a Saudi tourist visa while my work visa is pending?
The Saudi tourist visa and the Saudi work visa are two separate processes, but holding one does not automatically prevent the other. For the tourist visa, the typical documents are a 6-month bank statement, PAN, photo, and passport, with biometric at VFS in your Indian city, and processing in 3 to 10 days. Validity may come as 30, 60, or 90 days. Where the work-visa file is still moving through QVP or Mosaddaqa, a tourist visa for a short visit can sometimes be issued, but we always check the candidate's specific situation before applying.
What documents are required?
The exact list depends on the file. For a degree apostille, the original degree certificate is the core document, with transcripts / consolidated marksheets, passport copy, and the destination authority's checklist as supporting. For a birth certificate apostille, the original municipal-corporation-issued certificate plus identity proof. For a marriage certificate apostille, the original registered civil certificate (Sub-Registrar / Marriage Registrar issued, not just religious ceremony). SiZA Global reviews the specific file scans on WhatsApp and confirms the exact document set required before originals move.
Voices from the customer side
“Saudi visa documentation is complicated — educational attestation, police clearance, GAMCA, employer instructions. SiZA gave me a clear checklist, handled the MEA apostille and Arabic translation, and guided me through the stamping process. Everything was done before my joining date.”
Mohammad Hassan
Mechanical engineer, Saudi employment visa
Lucknow, India
“Saudi visa for skilled workers requires GAMCA medical clearance and attestation of any relevant certificates. SiZA told me which GAMCA-approved centre to go to in Thrissur, helped with the attestation of my technical certificates, and prepared the full set. My Saudi employer confirmed the file was complete without any missing document.”
Karim Mohammed
Welder, Saudi Arabia employment visa
Thrissur, India
“Saudi embassy attestation for my chartered accountancy degree involved SDM first because it's a personal document, then MEA, then Saudi embassy. SiZA mapped out the sequence on our first call and didn't start until I had all originals ready. Got the attestation done in time for my joining date.”
Rahul Joshi
Finance professional, Saudi employment visa
Gurgaon, India
“Kerala HRD attestation for nursing degree is mandatory before MEA and Saudi embassy. SiZA handled the Kerala HRD, MEA, and Saudi embassy attestation in the correct sequence. They also arranged the Arabic translation needed for Saudi MOH submission. The full chain done through one team.”
Mohan Krishnamurthy
B.Sc Nursing graduate, HRD + Saudi attestation
Kochi, India
“UP HRD for nursing involves submitting at the Lucknow directorate and waiting. SiZA guided me through what to submit and what the collection step involves. After UP HRD, they handled MEA and Saudi embassy attestation. My Saudi MOH application was accepted without any document rejection.”
Anjali Verma
Staff nurse, Saudi MOH licensing
Lucknow, India
“DataFlow verification for nurses involves a lot of steps — gathering degree certificates, registration documents, employment letters, and coordinating with the primary source. SiZA walked me through exactly what was needed and prepared the complete file. I got my DataFlow clearance without delays.”
Rajesh Kumar
Registered Nurse, DataFlow for Saudi Arabia
Hyderabad, India
Verify from official sources
Confirm the current checklist and requirements directly with the authority before sending originals.
Saudi Arabia Embassy/Consulate Addresses in India
Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, New Delhi
D-12/9, Vasant Vihar
New Delhi 110057
+91-11-41012222
Consulate General of Saudi Arabia, Mumbai
Maker Chambers IV, 222 Nariman Point
Mumbai 400021