SAUDI Arabia has temporarily halted the issuance of block work visas for Nigeria and 13 other countries- Egypt, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Morocco, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
According to the country’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Developmen, Ahmad bin Sulaiman AlRajhi, who confirmed the development over the weekend, the measure is aimed at managing the influx of foreign labour during peak pilgrimage periods.
AlRajhi explained that the suspension applies to both new and pending applications for temporary work visas, and is part of broader efforts by the government to enhance regulatory control over immigration and employment.
The suspension is expected to remain in effect until the end of this month, when the Hajj pilgrimage season ends, and AlRajhi said it is in line with ongoing Saudisation policies to increase the employment of Saudi nationals in key sectors, such as tourism, with the national hiring quotas billed to increase between 2026 and 2028.
Under the reforms, no new block visa quotas would be issued for employers recruiting from the affected African nations; delays are likely in processing previously approved quotas; applicants with pending visa applications may face rejections or indefinite postponements; individuals with valid work visas who have not yet entered the country may encounter entry restrictions.
Block work visas are quota-based authorisations that allow Saudi employers to recruit a set number of foreign workers. Once a quota is approved, employers can apply for individual work visas for selected candidates.
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