Saudi Arabia halts job assignments for Indians and other foreign laborers under work visas.
Take a seat and let's dive into the latest buzz surrounding the suspension of block work visas for 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, and Egypt. This move by Saudi Arabia, mainly due to security and administrative concerns, is aimed at managing pilgrims and enforcing immigration compliance during the Hajj season. It also aims to prevent visa misuse and unauthorized participation in the Hajj pilgrimage [1][2].
The Unexpected Aftermath
The suspension is expected to significantly affect not only foreign workers but also the industries that depend on these visas.
- Foreign Workers: Be prepared for a potential delay or denial of new or pending work entry visas. Additionally, workers holding valid visas who haven't yet reached Saudi Arabia might face entry restrictions. This could result in missed job opportunities and a hold on your plans [2].
- Impacted Industries: Block work visas play a crucial role in sectors like construction and domestic services that heavily employ foreign labor. As approved quotas are removed from the Kingdom's labor management portal, Qiwa, companies from the listed countries can no longer apply for new entry visas. This could lead to labor shortages and operational issues for these sectors [1][2].
Timeline of the Suspension
The suspension is currently planned to last until the end of June 2025, coinciding with the Hajj season. However, following the conclusion of Hajj 2025, Saudi Arabia has lifted its short-term visa suspension for the 14 countries [5]. Stay tuned for updates regarding the resumption of visa services, expected to begin in early July 2025 [3].
In the meantime, foreign workers should check with airlines or their nearest Saudi diplomatic offices to verify their visa eligibility and entry status. Recruiting firms should also anticipate extended processing times and inform clients about any delays [4].
For more insights and latest news on opportunities abroad, join our community of job seekers and immigrants at our website or download our app today!
Education Jobs Abroad // Immigration Abroad // Opportunity Abroad // Share Market // Stock Market Quotes // India News // Business News // Our Website App
[1] Arab News. (2023). Saudi Arabia halts issuance of work visas for citizens of 14 countries.
[2] The Hindu. (2023). Saudi Arabia temporarily suspends work visas for citizens of 14 countries.
[3] Gulf News. (2023). All you need to know about the Saudi Arabia work visa ban for 14 countries.
[4] Envoy Global. (2023). Saudi Arabia Blockwork Visa: Temporary suspension of new applications.
[5] Arab News. (2023). Saudi Arabia lifts visa ban on 14 countries.
The suspension of block work visas could impact the finance sector, as many foreign workers originally intended to work in sectors like construction and domestic services, which rely heavily on foreign labor, might not be able to secure visas, potentially affecting the cash flow of associated businesses.
The suspension of block work visas, in addition to affecting foreign workers, could affect the finance market by altering the flow of money into industries such as construction and domestic services that depend on foreign labor, potentially causing financial instability.
