The government of Saudi Arabia commenced the initial phase of increasing Saudization rates across four healthcare professions within the private sector on April 17, 2025.

Key Points:

  • This first phase of the implementation targets specific Saudization percentages: 65% for radiology; 80% for both clinical nutrition and physiotherapy; and 70% for medical laboratory.
  • The stipulated minimum monthly salaries are 7,000 Saudi riyals (around US$1,800) for specialists and 5,000 Saudi riyals (around US$1,300) for technicians within these roles.
  • The initial implementation covers all establishments, regardless of size, located in the major cities of Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, Dammam and Al-Khobar.
  • The second implementation phase, which will encompass the remaining establishments throughout the kingdom, is scheduled to begin on Oct. 17, 2025.

Additional Information: Comprehensive procedural guidelines outlining the implementation and the mandatory Saudization rates are available on the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development website.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

Saudi Arabia has announced a temporary suspension of short-term visas for 14 countries to help regulate the flow of travel during the busy Hajj season.

Key Points:

  • The suspensions apply to nationals of Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen.
  • All short-term visas will be put on hold for the impacted countries, including business visit visas, e-tourist visas and family visit visas.
  • The suspension period begins April 13, 2025.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. 

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com. 

Saudi officials announced a resident’s identification must now be valid for a minimum of 30 days when requesting the issuance of a final exit visa.

Key Points:

  • Residents whose permit had less than 30 days remaining could previously apply for an exit visa up until the day their permit expired.
  • Now, applicants must renew residence permits before applying for an exit visa if a permit has less than 30 days remaining.
  • The directorate indicated that if a resident’s identification is valid for more than 30 days but less than 60 days, a final exit visa can be issued and its duration will match the remaining validity of the resident’s identification.
  • In addition, if the validity is 60 days or more, the final exit visa can still be issued, but its duration will be limited to 60 days.

Additional Information: Saudi Arabia intends to enhance immigration compliance and reduce overstays, ensuring foreign nationals leave the country before the expiration of their residency permits. Employers should take the new rules into account when managing resident permit renewals and exit visa applications.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Saudi Arabian government has expanded the availability of its e-visa for tourism to more foreign nationals.

Key Points:

  • Saudi authorities have expanded access to e-visas for tourism to nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries if they work in a designated occupation on this list.
  • Permanent residents of the U.K., the U.S. or EU countries as well as those who hold a valid U.K., U.S. or Schengen business or tourist visa, have used that visa at least once and have an entry stamp from the issuing country can obtain an e-visa upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.
  • Individuals must submit e-visa applications through Ministry of Foreign Affair’s online portal.
  • Those who hold an e-visa for tourism cannot perform business activities while in Saudi Arabia.

Additional Information: Eligible individuals can apply for a visa at the nearest Saudi embassy. To apply for a visa through an embassy, applicants must have provide proof of accommodation, a return ticket, proof of employment, a bank statement, a flight itinerary and a home address.

BAL Analysis: The Saudi Arabian government has made e-visas for tourism available to more foreign nationals to help the country’s economy recover from COVID-19.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Saudi Arabian government has announced that it will allow foreign nationals traveling for the 2022 World Cup to apply for short-term visas to enter Saudi Arabia.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals who hold a Hayya Card to enter Qatar for the 2022 World Cup will be allowed to apply for a short-term visa to stay in Saudi Arabia for up to 60 days.
  • Short-term visa holders will be able to enter Saudi Arabia beginning ten days before the start of the 2022 World Cup. They will be able to enter and exit the country while their visa is valid.
  • Individuals will not be required to travel to Qatar before arriving in Saudi Arabia on the short-term visa; however, they must obtain medical insurance covering their period of stay.

Additional Information: Beginning Nov. 1, foreign nationals must have a Hayya Card, or special identification card, to enter Qatar. In order to obtain a Hayya Card, applicants will need to show that they have tickets for a World Cup match between Nov. 20 and Dec. 18 and accommodations for their time in Qatar.

BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals who hold a Hayya Card and are traveling to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup will be able to apply for short-term visas to enter Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities are expected to provide application instructions for the short-term visa in the coming months.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

Government offices will close in three weeks in Muslim countries throughout the world for Eid al-Adha.

Key Points:

  • Saudi Arabia’s government offices will close on July 10 to July 17 for Eid al-Adha.
  • Other countries will observe shorter closures on or around July 10 and 11; exact holiday dates and government office closures will differ from country to country and, in some cases, are not yet set. Employers and employees should check with local authorities for exact closure dates.
  • Employers and foreign nationals who need government services should submit applications as soon as possible and expect processing delays in the coming weeks.

Background: Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, Eid-e-Ghorban, Kurban Bayramı or Hari Raya, marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage.

BAL Analysis: Government services slow down throughout the Eid al-Adha season and many government offices will close for extended periods of time. Embassies and consulates around the world also observe the holiday, though schedules vary. Overseas applicants should contact their relevant embassy or consulate for specific holiday schedules. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible to avoid holiday-related delays.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Saudi Arabian government has ended its COVID-19 testing and quarantine entry requirements and lifted its suspension of direct flights from certain countries.

Key Points:

  • As of March 5, individuals traveling to Saudi Arabia will no longer be required to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine upon arrival. Individuals must still submit proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 through the Quddum platform to enter the country.
  • Saudi authorities have lifted a ban on direct flights from Afghanistan, Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Additional Information: Foreign nationals under the age of 12 are exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Foreign nationals who hold a Visit Visa are required to have health insurance that covers COVID-related health issues to be able to enter the country.

BAL Analysis: The response to COVID-19 continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Saudi Press Agency announced on Tuesday that the validity of residency permits, exit and re-entry visas and visitor visas would be extended until the end of September.

Key Points:

  • Residency permits, exit and re-entry visas for foreign nationals who are stranded abroad will be automatically extended until Sept. 30.
  • Visitor visas for foreign nationals living in a country from which travel to Saudi Arabia is suspended will be extended until Sept. 30.
  • Foreign nationals holding these visas do not need to apply for the extension. Saudi Arabian officials have already started renewing the visas without charging holders an additional fee.

BAL Analysis: The extension was made as an effort to mitigate the effect and repercussions of the ongoing pandemic. The response to COVID-19 continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Saudi Press Agency recently announced that the validity of residency permits, exit and re-entry visas and visitor visas would be extended until the end of August.

Key Points:

  • Residency permits and exit and re-entry visas for foreign nationals who are stranded abroad will be automatically extended until Aug. 31.
  • Visitor visas for foreign nationals living in a country from which travel to Saudi Arabia is suspended will be automatically extended until Aug. 31.
  • Foreign nationals who hold any of the aforementioned visas do not need to apply for the extension. Saudi Arabian officials have already started renewing the visas without charging holders an additional fee.

BAL Analysis: The extension was made as an effort to mitigate the effect and repercussions of the ongoing pandemic. The response to COVID-19 continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

Government offices will close next week in Muslim countries throughout the world for the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Key Points:

  • Saudi Arabia’s government offices will close on July 15 to July 25 for Eid al-Adha.
  • Other countries will observe shorter closures, beginning on or around July 19 and ending on or around July 22; exact holiday dates and government office closures will differ from country to country and, in some cases, are not yet set. Employers and employees should check with local authorities for exact closure dates.
  • Employers and foreign nationals who need government services should submit applications as soon as possible and expect processing delays in the coming weeks.

Background: Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, Eid-e-Ghorban, Kurban Bayramı or Hari Raya, marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and will begin on or around July 19.

BAL Analysis: Government services slow down throughout the Eid al-Adha season and many government offices will close for extended periods of time. Embassies and consulates around the world also observe the holiday, though schedules may vary. Overseas applicants should contact their relevant embassy or consulate for specific holiday schedules. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible to avoid holiday-related delays.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.