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
Media mentions
Partner Marius Tollenaere discussed how a digital “Super-Agency” could streamline Germany’s skilled migration.
Blog post
Senior Immigration Program Manager Alexia Prior and Senior Immigration Programme Consultant Julia Daoud discuss the importance of crisis preparedness in the face of geopolitical instability, emphasizing proactive strategies and resilience planning.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Immigration Consultant Caryn Esther Fisher discusses recent South African citizenship updates.
Awards
Partner F. Joseph Paldino, Senior Associate Clark Cannon and Associate Mallorie Mecham are recognized in Utah Business’s 2025 Legal Elite.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce discussed how heightened immigration enforcement is causing employers to review work authorization and staffing decisions.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces it is deepening its capabilities in the Philippines with a new office in Bonifacio Global City, the leading business and lifestyle district in Metro Manila.
Blog post
Associates Ali Ali and Charlotte Roberts discuss how UK employers can sponsor skilled workers using discounted salary rates to meet immigration requirements.
Media mentions
Partner Marius Tollenaere betont, dass die Chancenkarte die Einreise von Fachkräften nach Deutschland erleichtern, bürokratische Hürden abbauen und die Effizienz durch eine bessere digitale Integration und weniger Kontaktpunkte steigern kann.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini emphasises that mobility providers are essential for navigating regulatory frameworks, integrating Saudi nationals into the private sector and ensuring compliance with Saudisation policies, all of which support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
Blog post
In this blog, Maja Sugui and Priyanka Gadekar explain how to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate in Germany, and the changes for the apostille and final certification request in 2025.
Media mentions
Country Manager María Inés Menvielle outlines Argentina’s updated immigration rules and their implications for business and foreign talent.
Media mentions
Media mentions
Partner Marius Tollenaere discussed how a digital “Super-Agency” could streamline Germany’s skilled migration.
Blog post
Senior Immigration Program Manager Alexia Prior and Senior Immigration Programme Consultant Julia Daoud discuss the importance of crisis preparedness in the face of geopolitical instability, emphasizing proactive strategies and resilience planning.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Immigration Consultant Caryn Esther Fisher discusses recent South African citizenship updates.
Awards
Partner F. Joseph Paldino, Senior Associate Clark Cannon and Associate Mallorie Mecham are recognized in Utah Business’s 2025 Legal Elite.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce discussed how heightened immigration enforcement is causing employers to review work authorization and staffing decisions.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces it is deepening its capabilities in the Philippines with a new office in Bonifacio Global City, the leading business and lifestyle district in Metro Manila.
Blog post
Associates Ali Ali and Charlotte Roberts discuss how UK employers can sponsor skilled workers using discounted salary rates to meet immigration requirements.
Media mentions
Partner Marius Tollenaere betont, dass die Chancenkarte die Einreise von Fachkräften nach Deutschland erleichtern, bürokratische Hürden abbauen und die Effizienz durch eine bessere digitale Integration und weniger Kontaktpunkte steigern kann.
Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini emphasises that mobility providers are essential for navigating regulatory frameworks, integrating Saudi nationals into the private sector and ensuring compliance with Saudisation policies, all of which support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
Blog post
In this blog, Maja Sugui and Priyanka Gadekar explain how to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate in Germany, and the changes for the apostille and final certification request in 2025.
Media mentions
Country Manager María Inés Menvielle outlines Argentina’s updated immigration rules and their implications for business and foreign talent.
Media mentions