Kingdom of Saudi Arabia · work unsponsored
Freelance Permit (Tashrih al-Amal al-Hurr)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
The official MHRSD freelance work document for self-employment in approved activities. MHRSD issues it to Saudi nationals aged 18 and over — foreign residents on an iqama are not eligible, and it is not a visa.
- Processing time
- 1–2 weeks (online application through the MHRSD portal).
- Government fees
- None — MHRSD lists the service fees for issuing the freelance work document as "Free service".
- Typical duration
- 1 year from the date of issue; renewable.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 12 July 2026, the Freelance Permit (Tashrih al-Amal al-Hurr) for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an unsponsored Saudi Arabia immigration route. Sources: official Kingdom of Saudi Arabia government pages, reviewed 12 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/saudi-arabia/freelance-permit-sa#answer
What is the Freelance Permit (Tashrih al-Amal al-Hurr) in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
Freelance Permit (Tashrih al-Amal al-Hurr) is an unsponsored Saudi Arabia route. Indicative government fees are None — MHRSD lists the service fees for issuing the freelance work document as "Free service"; indicative processing time is 1–2 weeks (online application through the MHRSD portal); typical duration is 1 year from the date of issue; renewable. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (Saudi Arabia) on 12 July 2026.
Overview
The freelance work document is issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) through the freelance platform at freelance.sa. It is official proof that the holder works independently in an approved activity, and MHRSD lists its benefits as voluntary registration in social insurance, contracting with government and private agencies using the document, opening a bank account linked to the document, and using digital payment channels. MHRSD states the conditions for the service as "Age 18 years and over, Saudi, Having an active Absher account, Special conditions for some categories, commensurate with the competent authority for the category". Foreign residents holding an iqama therefore cannot obtain this document, and it is not a visa — it grants no right to enter or live in Saudi Arabia. Foreign nationals who want to work in Saudi Arabia normally do so through an employer-sponsored work visa and iqama.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓The applicant must be Saudi. MHRSD lists the conditions for this service as "Age 18 years and over, Saudi, Having an active Absher account". Foreign residents holding an iqama are not covered by these conditions.Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (Saudi Arabia) ↗
- ✓Age 18 years and over.Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (Saudi Arabia) ↗
- ✓An active Absher account, used to create an account and log in to the freelance platform.Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (Saudi Arabia) ↗
- ✓Some activity categories carry "special conditions", set by the authority that supervises that category.Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (Saudi Arabia) ↗
Common blockers
- !Not being Saudi — MHRSD lists "Saudi" among the conditions for the service, so foreign residents cannot obtain the freelance work document.Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (Saudi Arabia) ↗
- !No active Absher account.
- !Not meeting the special conditions that the supervising authority sets for the chosen activity.
Typical evidence
- ·An Absher account, used to register on the freelance platform.
- ·The activity chosen from the list of approved programmes on the platform.
- ·Attachments proving eligibility and practice of the chosen activity.Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (Saudi Arabia) ↗
Application pathway
Check that you meet the conditions
MHRSD requires the applicant to be Saudi, aged 18 or over, and to hold an active Absher account. Some activity categories carry additional conditions set by the authority that supervises them.
Log in to the freelance platform
Log in at freelance.sa, creating the account through Absher.
Choose an activity and attach your documents
Choose the appropriate programme from the list of approved activities and attach proof of eligibility and of practising that activity.
Receive the freelance work document
MHRSD issues the document free of charge. It is valid for one year from the date of issue and can be renewed.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official portalApplicantApply for a freelance work document ↗
Saudi nationals use the official freelance platform to request a freelance work document in an approved activity.
Freelance.sa / Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development · verified
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Frequently asked questions
Can foreign residents in Saudi Arabia get the freelance work document?+
No. MHRSD lists the conditions for this service as "Age 18 years and over, Saudi, Having an active Absher account, Special conditions for some categories". Being Saudi is one of the stated conditions, so a foreign national living in Saudi Arabia on an iqama cannot obtain the document. It is also not a visa and does not grant any right to enter or live in the country. Foreign nationals who want to work in Saudi Arabia normally do so through an employer-sponsored work visa and iqama.
Do I have to be a full-time freelancer to apply?+
No. MHRSD answers this directly: "Does the applicant have to be freelance to apply for the document? No, it is not a requirement. Employees on the job can apply for the document." An employed Saudi national can hold the document alongside their job.
What does the document cost, and what does it give you?+
MHRSD lists the service fees as "Free service", and the document is valid for one year from the date of issue. MHRSD describes the benefits as voluntary registration in social insurance, using the document as an official document when contracting with government and private agencies, opening a bank account linked to the document, and using digital payment channels.
Can I move to Saudi Arabia on the freelance work document?+
No. MHRSD lists the conditions for the service as "Age 18 years and over, Saudi, Having an active Absher account, Special conditions for some categories". Being Saudi is one of the stated conditions, so foreign nationals cannot obtain the document — whether they are abroad or already living in Saudi Arabia on an iqama. It is not a visa and cannot be used to enter the country.
What kinds of work are covered by the Saudi freelance work document?+
The document registers the holder in an approved activity chosen from the list of programmes on the official freelance platform (freelance.sa), and MHRSD requires proof of eligibility and of practising that activity. Check the current list of approved activities on the platform, as it changes.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (Saudi Arabia)
Last checked: 12 July 2026