The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made a significant, though temporary, change to its labor immigration policies by pausing the issuance of certain “block” work visa quotas through the QIWA platform.
This temporary suspension affects citizens from 14 countries: Ethiopia, Jordan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Algeria, Sudan, Iraq, Morocco, Yemen, Indonesia, Tunisia, Egypt, and Nigeria. The halt took effect in May 2025 and is expected to last until at least the end of June 2025, aligning with the Hajj season. It is likely to cause notable delays and disruptions for Saudi companies that rely on mass recruitment from these nations.
While individual work visa applications are still reportedly being processed, the removal of the block visa allocation feature from QIWA indicates a pause in bulk hiring under this system, directly impacting sectors that heavily depend on migrant labor, such as construction, hospitality, and domestic services. Companies are advised to adjust their recruitment schedules and explore alternative labor sources from unaffected regions.
Alongside this temporary suspension, the Saudi government has rolled out forward-looking initiatives to modernize its immigration infrastructure. A new online platform, “KSA Visa,” has been officially launched. This portal is designed to simplify the application process for various visa types, including work, Umrah (tourism), and general visit visas.
By connecting more than 50 government agencies, the KSA Visa platform aims to significantly reduce processing times, improve transparency, and offer a more efficient experience for applicants worldwide. This digital transformation is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and strengthen its global connections.
Saudi Arabia has also continued expanding the categories under its long-term Premium Residency Permit (PRP) scheme, offering more attractive pathways for foreign professionals and investors to obtain extended residency in the Kingdom. These expansions seek to attract high-value individuals and contribute to the nation’s economy beyond traditional labor migration.