Saudi Arabia Resumes Temporary Work Visas — But Not for These 13 Countries

After an unofficial months-long freeze, Saudi Arabia has resumed processing Temporary Work Visas (TWVs) for most foreign nationals. The move comes as a quiet but significant update, especially for companies relying on short-term international talent.

However, the pause hasn’t been completely reversed. Nationals from 13 countries remain ineligible for Temporary Work Visas (TWVs) for now.

These Countries Are Still Affected by the Suspension

While the broader Temporary Work Visas freeze has been lifted, the restriction still applies to nationals from:

1. Algeria
2. Bangladesh
3. Egypt
4. Ethiopia
5. India
6. Indonesia
7. Iraq
8. Jordan
9. Morocco
10. Nigeria
11. Pakistan
12. Sudan
13. Tunisia
14. Yemen

If you’re a citizen of one of these countries, the Temporary Work Visas route remains unavailable until further notice.

Why the Freeze Happened

In late April 2025, Saudi authorities quietly removed the Temporary Work Visa (TWV) option from the Qiwa platform, which employers use to manage work permits.

While they made no formal announcement, on-the-ground reports confirmed that officials had stopped issuing and processing TWVs, even for applications already in progress. This sudden halt disrupted short-term hiring, leaving employers scrambling for alternative solutions.

Visas and Entry Permits Resume After Hajj 2025

Saudi Arabia has resumed several other visa categories it paused during the peak Hajj 2025 period, in addition to lifting the suspension on Temporary Work Visas.

The temporary halt impacted not only TWVs but also tourist e-visas, Umrah permits, Visa-on-Arrival, and entry permits for various traveller categories.

Now that the Hajj season has concluded, the Kingdom has gradually reopened access for tourists, workers, pilgrims, and business visitors. Here’s a breakdown of what’s currently available:

• Umrah Visas – Reopened from June 10 for international pilgrims
• Business Visit Visas – Issuance resumed for eligible professionals
• Family Visit Visas – Applications now accepted following the earlier freeze
• Tourist Visas – Reopened in select cases; the e-visa platform is operational
• e-Visa System – Fully functional again for eligible nationalities
• Visa-on-Arrival – Reinstated for travellers with valid US, UK, or Schengen visas or residency
• Block Work Visa Quota – Companies can now resume foreign worker recruitment under quota-based hiring

What Are Temporary Work Visas (TWVs) in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia issues Temporary Work Visas as short-term employment permits to foreign nationals for projects that typically last up to 90 days, with possible extensions. Employers mainly use them for:

• Construction and engineering firms
• Oil and gas contractors
• Event organizers
• Tech companies handling short-term deployments

TWVs allow employers to quickly onboard foreign talent without the lengthy procedures associated with long-term work permits.

What Employers Need to Know Now

If you’re an employer in Saudi Arabia:

• TWV applications have resumed—but double-check the nationality of your applicant.
• If you were affected by the freeze, you can now reassess hiring timelines and restart paused applications, unless your workers are from the restricted list.
• No official guidance has been issued regarding current TWV holders from affected countries. There’s no confirmation whether they must leave the country or can remain until their visa expiry.

It’s smart to consult your immigration advisor to explore alternative work visa routes, especially if you rely heavily on nationals from the restricted countries.

Looking Ahead

While the reinstatement of TWVs is a welcome change for many, the lack of formal communication leaves some uncertainty. The ongoing restriction for 13 nationalities suggests the Saudi government is still reviewing its short-term labour policies.

We’ll continue to monitor updates from official and local sources.