Saudi Arabia: Temporary Hold on ‘Block Work Visa Quotas’ for Certain Nationalities
June 12, 2025
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.
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
Fragomen news
Fragomen earned top national and regional rankings in Chambers USA 2026, including its 13th consecutive year in Band 1 nationwide.
Blog post
Media mentions
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold examines the remaining opportunities under Ireland’s winding-down Immigrant Investor Programme and what they mean for eligible investors and their families.
Blog post
Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit analyses the UK’s latest net migration decline, exploring what the data reveals about policy impact, economic trade‑offs and the risks of over‑correction in future migration strategy.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the practical considerations facing employers and foreign nationals amid recent changes to green card processing.
Blog post
Video
In this #FragomenFC episode, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Sergio Flores and Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster discuss final travel and immigration considerations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold discusses Ireland's citizenship framework and the gaps that can remain following reforms to birthright citizenship.
Video
In this video, Partner Diana Quintas discusses how Brazil’s family reunion visa supports long-term international assignments and outlines key eligibility, documentation and compliance considerations for employers and families relocating to Brazil.
Blog post
Attorney María José Clarke explores Chile’s intensified immigration enforcement framework under President José Antonio Kast, examining new employer compliance obligations, work authorization rules for foreign nationals and the legal and financial consequences of unauthorized employment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill examines how the UK's new RAG rating system and stricter compliance metrics could shape universities' approaches to international student recruitment and sponsorship compliance.
Blog post
Knowledge Management Director Ana Sofia Walsh and Senior Client Engagement Manager Soraya Driessen examine the European Commission’s EU Inc. proposal and its potential to reshape corporate structures across the EU, highlighting the resulting complexities and unresolved questions for immigration, work authorization and cross-border workforce mobility.
Fragomen news
Fragomen earned top national and regional rankings in Chambers USA 2026, including its 13th consecutive year in Band 1 nationwide.
Blog post
Media mentions
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold examines the remaining opportunities under Ireland’s winding-down Immigrant Investor Programme and what they mean for eligible investors and their families.
Blog post
Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit analyses the UK’s latest net migration decline, exploring what the data reveals about policy impact, economic trade‑offs and the risks of over‑correction in future migration strategy.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper discusses the practical considerations facing employers and foreign nationals amid recent changes to green card processing.
Blog post
Video
In this #FragomenFC episode, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Sergio Flores and Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster discuss final travel and immigration considerations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold discusses Ireland's citizenship framework and the gaps that can remain following reforms to birthright citizenship.
Video
In this video, Partner Diana Quintas discusses how Brazil’s family reunion visa supports long-term international assignments and outlines key eligibility, documentation and compliance considerations for employers and families relocating to Brazil.
Blog post
Attorney María José Clarke explores Chile’s intensified immigration enforcement framework under President José Antonio Kast, examining new employer compliance obligations, work authorization rules for foreign nationals and the legal and financial consequences of unauthorized employment.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill examines how the UK's new RAG rating system and stricter compliance metrics could shape universities' approaches to international student recruitment and sponsorship compliance.
Blog post
Knowledge Management Director Ana Sofia Walsh and Senior Client Engagement Manager Soraya Driessen examine the European Commission’s EU Inc. proposal and its potential to reshape corporate structures across the EU, highlighting the resulting complexities and unresolved questions for immigration, work authorization and cross-border workforce mobility.
