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IMPACT – HIGH
The Saudi Arabian government has lifted travel restrictions for 11 countries as of May 31.
Key Points:
BAL Analysis: Travel restrictions and suspensions can change with little to no notice and individuals should consult their immigration provider to best understand current travel regulations to the country. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
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The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and Ministry of Health have announced a series of updates and modifications to travel guidelines and vaccine policies.
Additional Information: Travelers will not be permitted entry into Saudi Arabia without showing their health status through the government-approved app, Tawakkalna. Individuals who are fully vaccinated, have received one dose of the vaccine or are immune through prior infection, within the last six months, will have travel insurance available to them.
The travel ban will continue to apply to individuals who have traveled in or transited through any of the following countries in the 14 days before entering Saudi Arabia: Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom or the United States.
All employees working in the public, private and nonprofit sectors are required by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) to get the COVID-19 vaccine before returning to the workplace. The Ministry will announce details around the timeline and mechanism of the mandatory vaccination which should help employers set their plans accordingly.
Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States, which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
Saudi Arabia has extended the duration of stay for the country’s new short-term work visas.
Analysis & Comments: The increased duration is welcome news that will give eligible employers additional flexibility when bringing foreign nationals to Saudi Arabia for short-term assignments. While visa quotas are now available, visa stickers may be difficult to obtain at this time because of COVID-19 entry restrictions. Employers needing to bring foreign nationals to Saudi Arabia for short-term work are encouraged to work closely with Deloitte to determine their best options.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
Saudi Arabia has introduced a new short-term work visa.
Analysis & Comments: The application for Temporary Work Visit Visas is a two-step process whereby employers obtain a visa quota and foreign nationals obtain a visa sticker from a Saudi consular post or visa agent abroad before traveling to the country. While visa quotas are now available, visa stickers may be difficult to obtain at this time because of COVID-19 travel restrictions. Employers in need of bringing foreign nationals to Saudi Arabia for short-term work are encouraged to work closely with Deloitte to determine their best options.
IMPACT – MEDIUM
Saudi Arabia has extended travel restrictions and re-closed its borders because of COVID-19.
Background: The Saudi Arabia government lifted its latest international travel suspension in late January. With the emergence and spread of the new COVID-19 strains, the Kingdom introduced new restrictions.
Analysis & Comments: The reopening delay and suspension mean travel to Saudi Arabia remains subject to a variety of limitations and travel and health protocols. Employers who wish to send employees to Saudi Arabia may wish to discuss their plans with Deloitte. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Saudi Arabia’s government has lifted its suspension of international flights and entry by land and sea and announced a number of new entry and travel measures.
Additional Information: Travelers who wish to enter Saudi Arabia must follow health protocols and travel guidelines. More information about these protocols and guidelines is available here.
Analysis & Comments: The lifting of the international travel suspension will allow more people to enter Saudi Arabia, though some restrictions remain in place. Employers who intend to send employees to Saudi Arabia may wish to discuss their plans with Deloitte. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Saudi Arabia has changed COVID-19 testing requirements for foreign nationals entering the country.
Analysis & Comments: The testing requirement changes will allow foreign nationals who wish to enter Saudi Arabia more time to get tested and receive their results. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
Saudi Arabia has resumed visa processing at embassies in nine Middle Eastern and North African countries.
Background: Saudi Arabia recently lifted entry restrictions for certain travelers, including foreign nationals with valid exit and re-entry visas, work permits, resident permits or visit visas, in September.
Analysis & Comments: The resumption of visa application processing at the Saudi embassies will allow greater movement of people into Saudi Arabia. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Saudi Arabia has lifted some of its COVID-19 entry restrictions and intends to completely lift them for Saudi citizens on Jan. 1, 2021.
Background: Saudi Arabia first suspended international flights in March.
Analysis & Comments: The partial easing of restrictions for certain travelers will allow greater movement of people into and out of Saudi Arabia. It is isn’t clear yet exactly when all travel restrictions will be lifted for Saudi citizens but the exact date is scheduled to be revealed in December. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
What is the change? Saudi Arabia has announced that at the beginning of next year it will set aside 20 percent of private sector engineering positions for Saudi nationals.
What does the change mean? The new policy will apply to all private sector employers with five or more employees in engineering professions.
Background: Saudi Arabia eliminated the Nitaqat (Saudization) yellow category in January, an action which moved companies in this category into the red category where they are not allowed to renew work permits or apply for residence permits. Stricter requirements for the hiring of foreign engineers were imposed in 2017. Employers must be sure that foreign nationals working as engineers in the private sector must have a job title that matches the job title on their work permit. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development will also cease to provide government services to employers found to be in violation of the policy. The salaries of the new Saudi engineering jobs must be at least SR7,000 per month. The 20 percent Saudization of private sector engineering jobs covers 117 engineering fields.
Analysis & Comments: Employers should take note of the new policy requirements and follow them in order to be in compliance. Employers are encouraged to work with Deloitte to ensure they remain in compliance with the new requirements.