Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended block work visas for nationals of 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria. The suspension, effective until the end of June 2025, comes ahead of the annual Hajj pilgrimage and is expected to impact sectors that depend heavily on foreign labour.
Block work visas are pre-approved quotas that allow Saudi firms to hire large numbers of foreign workers. The suspension has now closed this recruitment channel, with the option now no longer available on the Kingdom’s labour management portal, Qiwa. Therefore, it will not be possible to submit bulk hiring applications under the existing system.
Companies in industries such as construction, domestic work, and hospitality, which cannot fo without migrant workers from these nations, will be particularly impacted. Even previously-approved visa quotas are likely to face delays or cancellations. This, in turn, will further delay projects and affect workforce planning.
The list of impacted countries includes Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Yemen, Morocco, Tunisia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Algeria, and Iraq, alongside India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria. Even workers with valid visa from these regions, who haven’t yet entered the country, may now face scrutiny or restrictions.
While official reason has not been provided, the move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader push for Saudisation — a national policy aimed at increasing local employment across sectors. New labour quotas for Saudi citizens are expected to grow gradually between 2026 and 2028.
The decision is just one of the many recent restrictions, including delays in family visit permits and limitations on Umrah visa applications. Migrants and recruiting agencies are being advised to confirm visa statuses before proceeding with travel plans to avoid complications.
For many migrant families dependent on remittances, this adds to the financial uncertainty which makes overseas jobs even more challenging.
