Saudi Arabia is one of the largest employers of Nepali migrant workers, with hundreds of thousands of Nepalis working in construction, healthcare, hospitality, and domestic services. Preparing your documents correctly for Saudi employment requires a full attestation chain in Nepal — notarization, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) attestation, and Saudi Embassy attestation — before your documents will be accepted by Saudi employers and government authorities. This guide covers the Saudi Arabia embassy attestation process in Nepal, including costs, timelines, and common mistakes to avoid.
Why Saudi Arabia Requires Document Attestation from Nepal
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) and the Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission require that educational and professional documents from Nepal be formally attested before they can be used for: employment visas and Iqama (residence permit) applications, professional licensing in Saudi Arabia (especially healthcare and engineering), university enrollment, and family residence visa sponsorship.
For regulated professions in Saudi Arabia — doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers — the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) or the Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) mandates that qualifications from Nepal be attested and evaluated before licensing is granted.
Documents That Need Saudi Embassy Attestation from Nepal
- Degree and diploma certificates — Bachelor’s, master’s, technical, and vocational certificates
- Academic transcripts — Complete mark sheets for professional licensing applications
- Experience letters and service certificates — Employment history from Nepali employers
- Professional licenses — Nepal Medical Council, Nepal Engineering Council, or Nursing Council registration certificates
- Medical fitness certificate — Health check report for employment visa
- Police clearance certificate (PCC) — Required by many Saudi employers
- Birth and marriage certificates — For family residence permit applications
- Power of Attorney — For legal or property matters in Saudi Arabia
The Complete Saudi Attestation Process from Nepal
Notarization at Hamro Notary, Chabahil
Visit Hamro Notary at Naramaya Bhawan, Chabahil, Kathmandu (Sunday–Friday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM). We notarize your documents and produce certified English translations for Nepali-language documents. Our registered Notary Public’s seal is required before MoFA will accept your submission.
MoFA Attestation at Singhdurbar
Submit notarized documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Authentication Section at Singhdurbar. MoFA verifies the notary seal and applies its official stamp. Processing: 1–3 business days. Hamro Notary can handle MoFA submission on your behalf for NPR 500 per document coordination fee.
Saudi Embassy Attestation in Kathmandu
With the MoFA stamp, submit documents to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Kathmandu (located in Panipokhari/Lazimpat area). The Saudi Embassy verifies the MoFA attestation and applies its legalization stamp. This is the final Nepal-side step in the attestation chain. Processing at the Saudi Embassy typically takes 3–7 business days.
Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission / MOFA Saudi (If Required)
For higher education and regulated professional licensing in Saudi Arabia, an additional attestation by the Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission (SACM) or the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be required after the document arrives in Saudi Arabia. This is handled by your Saudi employer or a Saudi-based agent. Confirm with your employer or the relevant Saudi authority whether this fourth step applies to your specific documents.
Going to Work in Saudi Arabia?
Hamro Notary handles notarization and MoFA coordination. Walk-in Sunday–Friday, 9 AM–6 PM at Chabahil.
Start Saudi Attestation →Fees and Timeline
| Step | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Notarization + certified translation — Hamro Notary | NPR 1,000 – 2,000 per document | Same day |
| MoFA attestation (government fee) | NPR 200 – 500 per document | 1–3 business days |
| Hamro Notary MoFA coordination | NPR 500 per document | Included above |
| Saudi Embassy attestation fee | Varies by document type | 3–7 business days |
| Total (estimate for 1 document) | NPR 2,000 – 4,000 + embassy fee | 7–12 business days |
Practical Tips for Saudi Attestation
- Start 5–6 weeks before your departure — The Saudi chain is one of the slower attestation processes; allow ample time
- Confirm requirements with your Saudi employer or recruitment agency — Some agencies handle attestation themselves; others expect you to complete it
- Check the Saudi Embassy’s current procedures — Hours, documentation requirements, and fees can change; confirm before submitting
- Healthcare workers: SCFHS dataflow verification required separately — Attestation alone is not sufficient for Saudi healthcare licensing; SCFHS primary source verification (DataFlow) is a separate process
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start working in Saudi Arabia with just a notarized document, and get full attestation later?
No. Saudi employers and the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources require fully attested documents before completing your Iqama (residence permit) registration and work permit. Attempting to work without properly attested documents violates Saudi labor law. Complete the full attestation chain before your arrival in Saudi Arabia.
My nursing or medical certificate is from a Nepali board — will Saudi accept it?
Nepal Medical Council certificates, Nepal Nursing Council certificates, and health science degrees from Tribhuvan University can be attested through the standard chain. However, for Saudi healthcare licensing through SCFHS (Saudi Commission for Health Specialties), you must also complete SCFHS DataFlow primary source verification — a separate online process that verifies your credentials directly with the issuing institution in Nepal. Attestation and DataFlow verification are both required for Saudi healthcare licensing; they are not interchangeable.
How long does the full Saudi attestation process take from Nepal?
The complete chain — notarization (same day) + MoFA (1–3 business days) + Saudi Embassy (3–7 business days) — typically takes 8–12 business days. Allow 3–5 weeks from start to finish for a comfortable buffer. Contact Hamro Notary at +977 984-134-6966 to plan your specific timeline.
Do I need certified translation for Saudi attestation, or just the original document?
For most Saudi employment documents, the original Nepali document with the full attestation chain is submitted. However, for purely Nepali-language documents that your Saudi employer or licensing authority cannot read (such as VDC birth certificates or Nepali-language academic certificates), a certified English translation is strongly recommended. We produce certified translations at the same time as notarization to avoid delays.
Leave a Reply