Saudi Arabia: Temporary Hold on ‘Block Work Visa Quotas’ for Certain Nationalities

Update June 12, 2025: The temporary hold on block work visa quotas has been lifted for nationals of Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. Additionally, in practice, affected nationals holding valid work entry visas who are yet to travel to Saudi Arabia to complete their residency process are permitted to travel to and enter the country. Affected individuals are advised to confirm their travel eligibility with their airline prior to departure.

May 28, 2025: Saudi Arabia has paused the issuance of ‘block work visa quotas’ for nationals of Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen. A block visa is a pre-approval granted by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development that allows companies to recruit a specific number of foreign nationals. This pause is expected to remain in place until the end of June 2025, in alignment with the conclusion of the Hajj season. Nationals from these countries may experience delays in obtaining work entry visas, even if a quota has already been approved and the work entry visa is under process. It is unclear if individuals with valid work entry visas who are yet to travel to Saudi Arabia to complete their residency process can currently enter Saudi Arabia. Affected individuals are advised to confirm their travel eligibility with their airline prior to departure.