
The situation
Employers in Saudi Arabia are no longer required to conduct labor market testing before a block visa is adjudicated by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, a mandatory step before the work authorization process can begin.
A closer look
Instead of conducting a labor market test, employers must now submit a block visa request directly through the Ministry of Labor and Social Development online portal. The rest of the work authorization process will not change. Essentially, the process has now reverted back to the way it was before Taqat, the labor market testing system, was implemented.
Impact
The elimination of the labor market testing requirement will significantly reduce the time it takes for employers to obtain block visa approvals, which are required before the work authorization process for foreign nationals can begin; foreign nationals should be able to start work sooner.
Background
- Taqat system. Since 2016, employers seeking to hire foreign workers in Saudi Arabia have had to advertise job openings to Saudi nationals on the Human Resources Development Fund’s electronic portal, Taqat, and show that there was no suitable Saudi candidate for the position, before submitting a block visa request.
- Block visa process. The block visa process involves the employer submitting a request to the Ministry of Labour and Social Development for every position which it intends to fill with a foreign national. The Ministry analyzes the request to determine whether the employer meets the national quota for foreign workers based on each applicant's nationality, gender and job title.
- Other countries’ relaxed labor market tests. Other countries have also recently eased foreign worker hiring requirements by eliminating their labor market tests, including Germany for certain skilled workers, Romania, and the Flemish government in Belgium.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions
Associate Yinny Tan outlines how proposed UK immigration changes may affect workforce planning and talent access in the wind industry.

Blog post
Senior Manager Sean Rhodes, Associate Jennifer Gray and Paralegal Mariel Arquero outlines how the United Kingdom's 2025 immigration policy changes will impact the creative industries.

Media mentions
Senior Associate Carolyn Alvarez outlines US passport rules for minors to guide family law attorneys on immigration requirements.

Blog post
Senior Manager Ben Morgan and Manager Mariana Da Encarnacao outline Türkiye’s AMS visa and Greece’s Installation visa as streamlined immigration options aimed at attracting technical talent to support national innovation and economic growth.

Video
Director Raj Mann shares an overview of Fragomen's newly released 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews, a supplement to the firm's Worldwide Immigration Trends Report.

Video
Explore EU visa options for non-EU nationals, including Schengen, long-stay and work visas like the EU Blue Card. Find the right visa for your needs.

Blog post
Private Client Associate Amelia Haynes and Intern Zuha Malik explore whether living together remains a requirement for unmarried couples applying for a UK partner visa under the 2025 rules.

Media mentions
Partner Blake Miller discussed how US immigration processing delays may create challenges for work authorization, travel and workforce planning.

Blog post
Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis discusses how the EES and ETIAS systems aim to streamline immigration processes while addressing the complexities of automation.

Fragomen news
Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.

Blog post
Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Media mentions
UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Media mentions
Associate Yinny Tan outlines how proposed UK immigration changes may affect workforce planning and talent access in the wind industry.

Blog post
Senior Manager Sean Rhodes, Associate Jennifer Gray and Paralegal Mariel Arquero outlines how the United Kingdom's 2025 immigration policy changes will impact the creative industries.

Media mentions
Senior Associate Carolyn Alvarez outlines US passport rules for minors to guide family law attorneys on immigration requirements.

Blog post
Senior Manager Ben Morgan and Manager Mariana Da Encarnacao outline Türkiye’s AMS visa and Greece’s Installation visa as streamlined immigration options aimed at attracting technical talent to support national innovation and economic growth.

Video
Director Raj Mann shares an overview of Fragomen's newly released 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews, a supplement to the firm's Worldwide Immigration Trends Report.

Video
Explore EU visa options for non-EU nationals, including Schengen, long-stay and work visas like the EU Blue Card. Find the right visa for your needs.

Blog post
Private Client Associate Amelia Haynes and Intern Zuha Malik explore whether living together remains a requirement for unmarried couples applying for a UK partner visa under the 2025 rules.

Media mentions
Partner Blake Miller discussed how US immigration processing delays may create challenges for work authorization, travel and workforce planning.

Blog post
Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis discusses how the EES and ETIAS systems aim to streamline immigration processes while addressing the complexities of automation.

Fragomen news
Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.

Blog post
Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Media mentions
UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.