The Saudi government has approved a new special residence scheme, similar to the green card systems used elsewhere, which aims to attract affluent and highly-skilled foreign nationals, and which will be implemented within the next five years. Unlike the present… Read more »
The Ministry of Labour and Social Development (MLSD) has recently made several significant changes to its rules for issuing block visas and work visas, and to the “Nitaqat” Saudization system. Block Visas Validity The MLSD has reversed its October 2017… Read more »
Effective 1 January 2017, as expected, the monthly levy on foreign national employees in companies where the number of foreign national employees exceeds the number of Saudi employees has doubled to SAR 400. Furthermore, for the first time, a levy… Read more »
Effective immediately, companies in Saudi Arabia will have to utilize their block visas more quickly in order to hire foreign employees. The Saudi Ministry of Labor has announced that it is reducing the validity period of its block visas… Read more »
Following the implementation on September 3, 2017 of stricter Saudization requirements for businesses, the Ministry of Labour (MOL) and the Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF) have introduced the “Parallel Nitaqat” system, to allow employers to buy into the required… Read more »
The Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MLSD) and the Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) have announced an agreement to require foreign engineers to demonstrate at least five years of professional engineering experience to be eligible for work… Read more »
The Ministry of Labor in Saudi Arabia introduced the labour market test last year for companies apply for new block visas. Previously, the labour market test was required to be posted for 14 days, however, a new requirement effective immediately… Read more »
The Saudi government has revised its immigration system in accordance with Vision 2030. The validity period of work visit and commercial visit visas have been extended. Nationality New Validity Period New Authorized stay upon each entry – for multiple… Read more »
Employers intending to hire foreign nationals must now perform a labor market search to show an attempt to hire local candidates was unsuccessful before they can apply for block visas. In an effort to localize the workforce, Saudi Arabia launched… Read more »
In an effort to boost non-oil revenues, the Saudi Cabinet has implemented new and increased government visa fees. The new and increased fees are listed below, effective October 2, 2016: One-time entry fee – SR 2,000 (exempt for travelers performing… Read more »
