Saudi Arabia Temporarily Suspends Block Work Visa Quotas

Key Points 

• Saudi Arabia has temporarily paused the issuance of specific visas for nationals of 14 countries  

Pause of Block Visas

Effective immediately, Saudi Arabia paused the issuance of block visas through the QIWA platform for nationals of 14 countries. This temporary suspension is expected to remain in effect through the Hajj season, with visa services anticipated to resume in the first week of July 2025. 

A block visa is a pre-approval granted by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development that allows companies to recruit a designated number of foreign nationals. The affected nationalities include: 

• Ethiopia, Jordan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Algeria, Sudan, Iraq, Morocco, Yemen, Indonesia, Tunisia, Egypt and Nigeria.  

Next Steps for Employers and Applicants 

According to Anita Chalke, Senior Immigration Manager at Envoy Global, individuals and employers should take proactive measures to adjust travel plans as needed. While visa issuance is paused, organizations can continue preparing necessary documentation, ensuring validity of at least three months. 

For documents with shorter validity, such as police clearance certificates that expire within one month, applications should be submitted accordingly. If a visa has already been secured, applicants are encouraged to contact the relevant embassy for guidance.