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.

IMPACT – HIGH

The Saudi Arabian government has lifted travel restrictions for 11 countries as of May 31.

Key Points:

  • Effective on May 31, travel is permitted from France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the U.K. and the U.S.
  • Travelers from the above countries will still be required to undergo a mandatory quarantine upon arrival and adhere to current COVID-19 policies.

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.

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 – HIGH

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.

Key Points:

  • Effective on May 17, Saudi Arabia’s travel ban will be lifted and Saudi Arabian citizens will be allowed to travel internationally if they are fully vaccinated, received the first dose of their vaccine 14 days before departure, or have recovered from a COVID-19 infection within the last six months. Saudi citizens under the age of 18 do not have to be vaccinated to travel but must provide evidence of travel insurance approved by the Saudi Central Bank before departure.
  • Upon return to Saudi Arabia, citizens must undergo a seven-day home quarantine and take the PCR test on the last day of quarantine. Children under the age of 8 are exempt from the test.
  • Effective on May 20, non-citizens and exempted travelers, over the age of eight, will be required to submit a PCR test certificate within 72 hours departing for the country and a valid health insurance policy covering COVID-19 before and upon arrival in the Kingdom.
  • Unvaccinated individuals must undergo a seven-day institutional quarantine at their own expense and take the PCR test on the first and seventh day of quarantine. The cost of institutional quarantine is included in the flight ticket price and the hotels for quarantine is approved by the Saudi Ministry of Tourism. Quarantine will not be applicable to immunized individuals provided they submit an official vaccination certificate before and upon their arrival. Individuals who received the vaccine less than 14 days before their arrival will still need to quarantine.
  • Individuals falling under any of the following categories are exempt from institutional quarantine, provided they follow the applicable COVID-19 precautionary measures:
    • Citizens of Saudi Arabia.
    • Domestic workers accompanying citizen or a vaccinated resident.
    • Immunized travelers.
    • Members of official delegations.
    • Diplomats and their families.
    • Airline cabin crew, sea crew and truck drivers.
    • Workers in the healthcare supply chain field.

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.

Key Points: 

  • Under a change announced on the Qiwa online portal, visa holders can now work in Saudi Arabia for an initial period of six months and have their visas extended for a “similar period” one additional time.
  • When the visas were first launched earlier this year, it was expected that foreign nationals would be permitted to work for up to 90 days in a one-year period.
  • Employers can purchase visa quotas on the Qiwa portal. To be eligible, employers must:
    • Have a valid commercial registration.
    • Have a Nitaqat status of “Medium Green” or higher.
    • Ensure that all foreign workers have valid work permits.
    • Demonstrate they have a sufficient balance to pay for the temporary visa.
  • Eligible employers can purchase quotas in packages of one, five, 10 or 50. One quota costs 1,000 SAR; a package of 50 costs 45,000 SAR.
  • Visas are valid for one year from the date on which the quota is purchased. Payment will not be refunded after 30 days, including in cases where the visa is issued but the visa holder never travels to Saudi Arabia. Visas are nontransferable from company to company, but unused visas can be canceled and reallocated within a company.

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.

Key Points: 

  • The new Temporary Work Visit Visa is a multiple-entry visa that allows foreign nationals to work in the kingdom for up to 90 days in a one-year period.
  • Employers may obtain quotas for the new visas through the Qiwa online portal. To be eligible for a quota, employers must:
    • Have a valid commercial registration.
    • Be compliant with Saudi Arabia’s Wage Protection System.
    • Have a Nitaqat status of “Medium Green” or better.
    • Ensure that all foreign workers have valid work permits.
  • Eligible employers can purchase quotas in packages of one, five, 10 or 50. One quota costs 1,000 SAR (about USD$267); a package of 50 costs 45,000 SAR.
  • Visas are valid for one year from the date the quota is purchased. Payment will not be refunded after 30 days, including in cases where the visa is issued but the visa holder never travels to Saudi Arabia. Visas are nontransferable from company to company, but unused visas can be canceled and reallocated within a company.

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.

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.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

Saudi Arabia has extended travel restrictions and re-closed its borders because of COVID-19.

Key Points:

  • All nationals traveling from the following 20 countries are barred entry: Argentina, Brazil, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. The ban includes travelers who transit through or stayed in any of the 20 countries within 14 days before seeking entry to Saudi Arabia. Exceptions exist for Saudi citizens, diplomats, health practitioners and their families.
  • The Saudi Embassy and Consulates in the U.S. have suspended visa application processing.
  • The complete lifting of border closures and restrictions on international flights has been delayed from March 31 to May 17.

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.

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.