Saudi Arabia suspends block work visas for India, Pakistan and 12 others
Employers, job seekers urged to verify travel rules before departure
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended block work visa quotas for citizens of 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, Egypt, and Bangladesh, in an unprecedented move that reflects tightened immigration control and logistical planning ahead of the 2025 Hajj season.
The suspension, which also affects several short-term visa categories, is effective immediately and will remain in place until the end of June 2025.
The decision was issued by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and is widely viewed as a measure to streamline crowd control and prevent misuse of non-Hajj visas by unauthorised pilgrims. The restriction affects thousands of prospective workers and visitors.
التزام المنشآت بضوابط اللائحة التنظيمية لتأشيرات العمل المؤقت لخدمات الحج والعمرة، يُعزز من نجاح موسم #حج_1446هـ في ظل بيئة عمل آمنة. #مواردنا_تخدمكم#وزارة_الموارد_البشرية_والتنمية_الاجتماعية pic.twitter.com/XhonunecjA
— وزارة الموارد البشرية والتنمية الاجتماعية (@HRSD_SA) May 29, 2025
Block Work Visa suspension
At the centre of the move is the suspension of block work visa quotas, a system that allows Saudi employers to recruit foreign nationals in bulk through pre-approved quotas. Effective now:
- No new block work visa quotas will be approved for companies targeting nationals from the 14 countries.
- Pending applications under existing quotas may face extended delays or cancellations.
- Individuals already issued work visas but who haven’t entered Saudi Arabia may face entry refusal.
The affected countries include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.
The decision coincides with ongoing preparations for Hajj 2025, expected to take place from June 4 to June 9, with Eidul Azha falling on Friday, June 6. Officials say the move is logistical and safety-focused, rather than politically motivated.
The decision has disrupted hiring pipelines, especially for the construction, hospitality, and healthcare sectors that heavily rely on workers from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Employers are now being encouraged to seek candidates from other countries or defer hiring plans until after June 2025.
Short-term visa restrictions
Beyond work visas, several short-term visa types have also been paused for these 14 nations. This includes:
Umrah visas, which have been temporarily suspended due to risks of pilgrims overstaying or using them to perform Hajj without registration.
- Business visit visas, with some applications quietly being held or denied without formal notices.
- Family visit visas, many of which are pending without updates, delaying travel plans for families.
- Tourist visas, especially multiple-entry permits, which were discontinued from February 1, 2025. Only short-term single-entry tourist visas are now being considered.
Travellers holding existing multiple-entry visas have been advised to exit Saudi Arabia by April 29, 2025, to avoid penalties. Any violations could result in a five-year ban from re-entering the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia’s visa strategy
The policy also aims to regulate labour market entries during a time when millions are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. In previous years, the Hajj season witnessed crowding-related tragedies. Reports from Hajj 2024 highlighted over 1,200 deaths, many of them linked to unauthorised pilgrims without access to official infrastructure or medical services.
Officials from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reiterated that only pilgrims entering under the correct visa category will be allowed to perform Hajj. Diplomatic visas and official residents are not affected by this directive.
Check before you travel
Travellers and job seekers from the 14 affected nations are strongly urged to verify their visa status and travel eligibility with their airline or the nearest Saudi embassy prior to departure. Boarding may be denied without updated immigration clearance.
Reports suggest Saudi missions abroad have been instructed to halt processing of most short-term visas for these countries. Recruitment agencies have also been advised to halt international hiring plans involving these nationalities for the time being.
Meanwhile, overseas recruitment firms in South Asia and North Africa are issuing advisories to clients, highlighting visa delays and the importance of accurate documentation.
With the Zil Hajj moon sighted on May 27, the Kingdom is doubling down on enforcement measures. Authorities maintain that the suspension is temporary, but no formal date has been given for when visa services for the 14 nations will resume fully.
Until further notice, affected travellers are encouraged to follow updates via official government portals and consult with registered travel agents.