Saudi Arabia Suspends Work Visas for 14 Countries Until June 2025 – What You Need to Know

Saudi Arabia has announced a temporary ban on block work visas for citizens of 14 countries, including India and Pakistan. This big decision will affect many foreign workers, companies, and travelers. The suspension will stay in place until the end of June 2025, which is around the time of the next Hajj season.

This step is part of the Saudi government’s efforts to control travel and immigration during busy times, especially to make sure everything runs smoothly during Hajj.

A block work visa is a type of work permit that allows Saudi companies to bring in a certain number of workers from abroad. The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development usually gives these quotas to businesses. Once a company gets a block visa quota, it can request work visas for workers from specific countries.

But now, the government has temporarily stopped giving new block work visas to workers from 14 countries.

Which Countries Are Affected?

Here is the list of 14 countries whose citizens are now restricted from getting block work visas:

• India
• Pakistan
• Bangladesh
• Egypt
• Indonesia
• Iraq
• Nigeria
• Jordan
• Algeria
• Sudan
• Ethiopia
• Tunisia
• Yemen
• Morocco

This decision was made by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and will remain until June 30, 2025.

What Will Happen Now?

Because of this pause in block work visas:

• No new block visa quotas will be issued for these 14 countries.
• If a company already has an approved quota, it might face delays in visa processing.
• People who already applied for a work visa may not get it approved or may face uncertainty.
• Even those who have a valid work visa but haven’t traveled to Saudi Arabia yet might face entry problems.

Important: Before flying, travelers should confirm with their airline or nearest Saudi embassy whether they are allowed to enter the country. Rules may change quickly.

Why Has Saudi Arabia Made This Decision?

The Saudi government has several reasons for this move:

• To control the number of workers coming into the country during the Hajj season.
• To prevent illegal participation in Hajj by foreign workers.
• To improve immigration and crowd control during busy periods.
• To make sure that people who enter Saudi Arabia are doing so for the right purpose.

This is likely a temporary measure, but it will have a big effect on workers, companies, and recruitment agencies right away.

Extra Advice for People Affected

If you are someone trying to go to Saudi Arabia for work:

• Double-check your visa status with your airline or a Saudi consulate.
• Do not make travel plans until your visa is 100% confirmed.
• Be aware that even if you applied before, visa rules may have changed.

Other Types of Visas Are Also Affected

In addition to block work visas, Saudi Arabia has paused or changed other visa types, especially for people from the same 14 countries.

1. Umrah Visas

• Umrah visa applications from these countries are currently on hold.
• Even though online systems might accept your application, most are not being approved during busy periods.

2. Family Visit Visas

• Family visit visas are also paused.
• Many people are waiting for updates, and some families are left in uncertainty.

3. Business Visit Visas

• Companies that want to bring in foreign experts or professionals for short visits are facing delays or silent denials.
• Applications are being held without clear reasons.

4. Tourist Visas

Starting from February 1, 2025:

• People from the 14 affected countries can only get single-entry tourist visas.
• Multiple-entry visas are no longer being given.
• If you already have a multiple-entry visa, you might face issues at the border.

Summary of Visa Policy Changes (Effective February 2025)

From February 1, 2025, the following rules apply to citizens of the 14 countries:

Only single-entry tourist, business, and family visit visas allowed
No multiple-entry visas will be issued
People with existing multiple-entry visas may face entry problems

What Should You Do Now?

For Employers:

• Look for workers from other countries not affected by the suspension.
• Plan ahead for possible staffing delays.

For Job Seekers and Travelers:

• Check your visa status before booking your flight.
• Talk to your recruiter or travel agent to get the latest updates.

For Recruitment Agencies:

• Keep clients informed about the suspension and possible delays.
• Suggest other options or countries if needed.

For Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims:

• Keep an eye on official Hajj and Umrah websites for updates on when visa applications will open again.
• Do not make any bookings without clear confirmation of your visa.

Saudi Arabia’s suspension of block work visas and other types of travel visas is a big move that affects millions of people from 14 countries. This change is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to manage immigration and control crowds during Hajj 2025.

Even though the ban is temporary, it can cause serious disruptions for employers, families, and travelers. Everyone involved should be careful, stay updated, and follow instructions from official sources.

It is expected that things will return to normal after June 2025, but until then, planning and patience are important.

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