1. Do I need to be sponsored by KAUST?
2. I am an Iqama holding expat, which Iqama category should I select in the onboarding form?
3. I am an Iqama holding expat, do I need a GAMCA( Gulf Approved Medical Centers Association) medical test as part of the on-boarding process, or does my current Iqama status exempt me from this?
4. What is the process for obtaining my student visa?
1. Do I need to be sponsored by KAUST?
Yes, non-Saudi Arabian students studying at KAUST are required to have a universitysponsored iqama( Residence Permit). If you are already living in Saudi Arabia under another iqama, you will need to transfer your sponsorship to KAUST. In case your current employer / sponsor does not support the iqama transfer process you will have to exit the Kingdom first and start the visa process from your home country. In that case, please reach out to our Onboarding advisor for further information and support.
2. I am an Iqama holding expat, which Iqama category should I select in the onboarding form?
Please select " Transfer Iqama to KAUST "
3. I am an Iqama holding expat, do I need a GAMCA( Gulf Approved Medical Centers Association) medical test as part of the on-boarding process, or does my current Iqama status exempt me from this?
You are only required to submit the medical questionnaire on your onboarding form.
4. What is the process for obtaining my student visa?
1. Contact your Visa Agent
Please contact the local visa agent in the country you will be applying from for your“ Student visa”( depending on the country, it can also be named“ Educational Government visa”) and ask for the visa requirements list. The recommended visa agency list is found in the link
If there is no visa agent in the country you are applying from, we have listed the relevant Embassy for you to contact. The agency will ask you to provide an“ Invitation Letter” or a“ Visa Approval Number.” This document will be sent to you within 10 days from submitting the onboarding form.
2. Check Your Passport Validity
Make sure you have a passport valid for at least twelve( 12) months with at least two( 2) clear visa pages adjacent to each other. Otherwise please renew your passport before filling out the onboarding form as your visa invitation letter will be connected to the passport information provided in the onboarding form.