31/05/2025
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31/05/2025
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RIYADH, May 31: In a sweeping policy shift set to impact thousands of foreign workers and international businesses, Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of block work visa quotas for nationals of 14 countries. The measure will remain in effect until the end of June 2025, coinciding with the conclusion of the upcoming Hajj season.
Affected Nations Include India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh
The decision, announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, halts the approval of new block work visa quotas for the following countries:
- India
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Egypt
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- Jordan
- Algeria
- Sudan
- Ethiopia
- Tunisia
- Yemen
- Morocco
The suspension is part of broader efforts by the Kingdom to manage inbound labor during peak pilgrimage periods and tighten regulatory oversight across immigration and employment sectors.
Understanding Block Work Visas
Block work visas are quota-based permits that allow Saudi employers to hire a predetermined number of foreign workers. Once approved, these quotas enable businesses to apply for work visas for specific candidates.
Under the new restrictions:
- No new block visa quotas will be issued for employers targeting the affected countries.
- Delays are expected in processing even previously approved quotas.
- Applicants with pending work entry visas may face denial or indefinite delays.
- Individuals holding valid work visas but who have not yet entered Saudi Arabia may also encounter entry restrictions.
Authorities have urged travelers to confirm their visa and entry status with their airline or the nearest Saudi diplomatic mission before making travel arrangements.
Strategic Pause Aimed at Regulatory Control
The move appears to be strategically timed to coincide with the Hajj season—a period marked by a dramatic increase in travel to Saudi Arabia. Key objectives behind the suspension include:
- Regulating the inflow of foreign labor during the pilgrimage season
- Preventing unauthorized participation in Hajj by foreign workers
- Enhancing immigration compliance and crowd management capabilities
While the measure is temporary, it imposes immediate logistical and operational challenges for employers, recruitment agencies, and prospective job seekers across the affected regions.
Broader Visa Restrictions Also Introduced
In addition to the suspension of block work visas, Saudi Arabia has also implemented temporary restrictions across other visa categories:
Umrah Visas
Applications from the same 14 countries are currently on hold during peak pilgrimage periods. While electronic systems may accept submissions, actual approvals have become increasingly rare.
Family Visit Visas
Processing for family visit visas has been suspended or significantly delayed for several countries, leaving many families in limbo with little to no information on the status of their applications.
Business Visas
Foreign professionals seeking to enter Saudi Arabia for meetings or short-term assignments face increased scrutiny. Many business visa applications are being quietly delayed or denied without official explanation.
Tourist Visas
As of February 1, 2025, Saudi authorities have stopped issuing multiple-entry tourist visas to citizens of the affected countries. Only single-entry visas are currently being considered.
Advice for Prospective Travelers
All affected individuals—especially those holding pending or recently approved visas—are strongly advised to reconfirm their eligibility directly with airlines or Saudi diplomatic missions. Airlines are expected to enforce the latest immigration guidelines, and failure to verify status may result in denied boarding or refusal of entry upon arrival.
