In a recent update affecting foreign workers, Saudi Arabia has temporarily paused the issuance of block work visas for citizens from 14 countries, including India and Bangladesh, starting from May 2025. In an effort to prevent visa abuse and unapproved pilgrimage, officials have made this decision in light of administrative and security considerations related to the approaching Hajj season.

Which Countries Are Affected?

Bangladesh, India, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Iraq, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Libya, Kenya, and Turkey are among the countries affected by the suspension. These countries are known to have a significant number of workers who depend on Saudi Arabia’s block work visa system for employment opportunities in the Kingdom.

What Are Block Work Visas?

Block work visas are bulk visas issued by Saudi authorities, primarily used by companies across various sectors to hire foreign labor quickly and efficiently. These visas are pre-approved in groups, enabling employers to distribute them to workers from multiple countries. They are commonly utilized in industries such as hospitality, construction, and domestic services.

Why Has Saudi Arabia Suspended These Visas?

Reports suggest the main reason behind this suspension is the misuse of visas during the Hajj pilgrimage. Last year, many individuals reportedly entered Saudi Arabia on work, visit, or Umrah visas but participated in Hajj without valid permits. This unauthorized participation caused significant crowd management challenges and placed extra strain on health and safety measures during the pilgrimage.

To avoid such issues this year, Saudi authorities have introduced tighter regulations, ensuring only pilgrims holding official Hajj visas can undertake the pilgrimage. Suspending the block work visa system for certain countries is one of the steps taken to strengthen these controls.

Impact on Employers and Workers

The suspension has raised concerns among employers relying on block work visas to meet labor demands, especially in sectors that depend on seasonal or semi-skilled workers. The affected companies may need to adjust their recruitment strategies due to this unexpected halt.

Thousands of workers from the listed countries who were in the process of applying for these visas may now face delays and uncertainty. Recruitment agencies in countries like Bangladesh have voiced worries about the logistical and economic impact of this decision on both workers and employers.

What’s Next?

While the suspension is described as temporary, Saudi Arabia has not yet specified when block work visa issuance will resume for the affected nations. This move is part of broader efforts to regulate the flow of visitors and workers during the critical Hajj period, aiming to enhance safety and reduce infrastructure stress.

Employers, recruiters, and potential migrant workers will be closely watching for further announcements from Saudi authorities regarding the future of block work visas after the Hajj season.

Be Informed, Travel Confidently – VisaBud