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Workers in Saudi Arabia applying for a Canadian work permit follow the Riyadh visa office checklist. It is specific about reference letters, which is where many Gulf applicants lose time.
Written by NextMovePath editorial teamLast updated:
| IRCC processing time from Saudi Arabia | 4 weeks (Work permit (applying from outside Canada))IRCC's current estimate, as of September 28, 2026. Source: IRCC processing times |
|---|---|
| Reference letters (Riyadh checklist) | On letterhead with dates, employment type, responsibilities, salary and the signer’s full contact detailsSource: IRCC Riyadh visa office: Additional document checklist, work permit (IMM 5927) |
| Non-Saudi applicants | Copy of Saudi residence permit (iqama)Source: IRCC Riyadh visa office: Additional document checklist, work permit (IMM 5927) |
| Job offer | Signed and dated contract with title, duties, salary and dates, unless applying for an open permitSource: IRCC Riyadh visa office: Additional document checklist, work permit (IMM 5927) |
| Fees | CAN$155 work permit plus CAN$85 biometricsSource: IRCC: Fee list |
The work permit form with its barcode page, your passport, a signed and dated contract from the Canadian employer with title, duties, salary and dates, copies of all diplomas and transcripts, and reference letters from past and present employers in a related occupation. Non-Saudis add a copy of their iqama.
It must be on letterhead and show your periods of employment, whether the job was permanent or temporary and full-time or part-time, your responsibilities and salary, and the full name and contact details of the person who signed it. Missing details make it hard for the officer to assess your experience.
Canadian employers may not make you pay to get or keep a job or recover recruitment fees from you. You pay only for the work permit, medical and biometrics. Treat offers that ask for money, come from free email accounts, or promise a guaranteed visa as scams.
Yes. Nurses and medical residents need a letter confirming eligibility for licensing with the provincial regulator and must do a medical exam. Truck drivers need proof of high school completion, a copy of their driver’s licence and evidence they can support accompanying family members.
These are the grounds IRCC officers most often write in refusal letters for this kind of application. They are typical grounds, not statistics. Fix them before you apply, not after.
Tell us where you are in the process. A member of our team will tell you what is missing or weak in your Saudi Arabia application, before IRCC does.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees and document lists change often. Confirm current requirements on canada.ca or with a licensed Canadian immigration representative (RCIC or lawyer) before you apply.