Demand Letter and Documents Required to Hire Indian Workers in Saudi Arabia
MEA licence B-3252/DEL/PER/1000+/5/11251/202515+ years in Gulf recruitmentLast reviewed Prepared by Taj HR Services employer desk
Short answer
A Saudi Arabia employer hiring Indian workers needs a demand letter on company letterhead, a power of attorney for the Indian agency, proof of eligibility with Ministry of Human Resources (MHRSD), an employment contract, and the Qiwa Work Visa & Wakalah approvals. The agency then obtains Indian emigration clearance, which is required for workers on ECR passports.
Employer document checklist
| Document | Prepared by | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Trade licence or commercial registration | Employer | Proves the establishment can employ workers |
| Saudi Arabia establishment account or card | Employer | Active Qiwa establishment account to issue work visas and the electronic Wakalah. |
| Authorised signatory ID | Employer | Confirms who signs the demand letter and contract |
| Demand letter | Employer, drafted with the agency | States trades, numbers, salary, benefits and contract length |
| Power of attorney for the agent | Employer | Authorises the licensed Indian agency to recruit on your behalf |
| Employment contract or offer | Employer and worker | Must align with Saudi Labour Law |
| Qiwa Work Visa & Wakalah approvals | Employer via Ministry of Human Resources (MHRSD) | Approved block visa allocation for Indian nationality tradesmen. |
| Emigration clearance | Indian agency | Required for ECR passport holders before departure |
| Medical and biometrics | Agency and worker | Pre-departure medicals are completed at Wafid-listed (GAMCA) centres in India and linked to the visa file. |
What a good demand letter contains
- Company name, address, registration number and contact person.
- Each trade with headcount, minimum experience and any certification required.
- Guaranteed monthly basic salary and any fixed allowances, shown separately from overtime.
- Accommodation, transport, food, medical insurance and joining ticket details.
- Contract duration, working hours and leave terms.
- Project location and expected joining date.
Attestation and eMigrate
Indian emigration rules require foreign employer documents, including the demand letter and power of attorney, to be attested as notified by the Government of India, and the employer to be registered on the eMigrate system. Attestation requirements are updated from time to time, so confirm the current process with your agency.
Document mistakes that delay Saudi Arabia mobilisation
- Visa quota in the Qiwa account not approved for Indian nationality before shortlisting starts.
- Electronic Wakalah issued to a different agent or covering a different trade than the one being recruited.
- Profession on the visa not matching the trade-test outcome of the shortlisted worker.
Frequently asked questions: Saudi Arabia
What is a demand letter for hiring Indian workers in Saudi Arabia?
It is a signed letter on company letterhead that states the trades, headcount, salary, benefits and contract terms the employer is offering. The Indian agency uses it, together with a power of attorney, to recruit and obtain emigration clearance.
Does the demand letter need to be attested?
Indian emigration rules require foreign employer documents to be attested as notified by the Government of India. Confirm the current attestation route with your agency before signing.
What approvals do I need in Saudi Arabia before recruiting?
Active Qiwa establishment account to issue work visas and the electronic Wakalah. Approved block visa allocation for Indian nationality tradesmen.
Can Taj HR help draft the demand letter?
Yes. Use the free generator or send your requirement and the team will prepare a draft for your review.
Who handles emigration clearance?
The licensed Indian recruitment agency processes emigration clearance for ECR passport holders through the eMigrate system.
Related for Saudi Arabia employers
Manpower supply for Saudi ArabiaCountry hiring page with trades, process and a manpower proposal request.Saudi Arabia salary guide 2026Local market and overseas-recruitment salary benchmarks by trade.How to hire Indian workers: Saudi ArabiaStep-by-step employer process, timeline and prerequisites.Cost to hire Indian workers: Saudi ArabiaSalary and package benchmarks plus the full employer cost checklist.Manpower supply company guide: Saudi ArabiaDirect recruitment vs local labour supply, and how to vet an Indian agency.Labour law and compliance: Saudi ArabiaHours, overtime, wage protection and nationalisation rules for employers.