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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? Saudi Arabia has set new penalties for visitors who overstay their visas.
What does the change mean? A foreigner who overstays any type of visit visa will be fined up to 50,000 riyals (about US$13,300), jailed for up to six months and then deported. The same penalties apply to anyone who assisted in obtaining the visa.
Background: The General Directorate of Passports, or Jawazat, announced new rules that set progressive fines and imprisonment for each overstay. A first offense will result in a fine of 15,000 riyals. A foreigner who overstays a visit visa a second time will be fined 25,000 riyals and imprisoned for three months. A third overstay will be punishable by a six-month jail term, a 50,000 riyal fine, and deportation. A five-year ban on re-entry is also imposed following deportation; however, authorities have discretion to deny visas and impose a lifetime ban even after a first offense.
BAL Analysis: Foreign employees and family members traveling to Saudi Arabia on visit visas should be sure to leave the country upon expiration of their visa.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Saudi Arabia. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2016 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.
What is the change? Due to a software update, all Saudi consulates in the U.S. are unable to print visas.
What does the change mean? While the consulates work to fix the problem, employers and visa applicants should plan for delays in issuance of visas due to the technical issues as well as the holiday weekend.
Background: The software issue began Wednesday and has not been resolved as of Friday afternoon. The Saudi Consulate in Houston has confirmed that the outage is affecting visa printing nationwide.
BAL Analysis: Applicants should anticipate delays and a possible backlog when visa issuance resumes.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
What is the change? Foreign nationals applying for visas at Saudi Arabian embassies and consulates have encountered new documentation requirements and restrictions on how long visa applicants, particularly women, can remain in the country.
What does the change mean? Foreign nationals should apply for visas early, expect delays, anticipate requests for additional documentation and be as flexible as possible in their travel plans.
Background: In recent weeks, Saudi embassies and consulates have made a number of changes in practice affecting foreign nationals traveling to the country. Examples include: frequently changing supporting documentation requirements, including requests for new or reformatted letters of intent; reducing the permissible duration of stay for women applying for visas to 90 days; and refusing applications from expatriates applying for stays of more than 30 days. Policies and practices may vary from consulate to consulate, and business travelers may need to be flexible in responding to requests.
BAL Analysis: Visa applicants are advised to submit applications as early as possible and be prepared to respond to requests for additional or reformatted documentation. If possible, visa applicants should submit applications at consulates in their home countries in order to avoid additional restrictions.
What is the change? Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has extended the Eid al-Adha holiday through Oct. 3.
What does the change mean? Government offices will reopen Sunday, Oct. 4 – not this week as originally planned.
Background: Government offices in countries throughout the Muslim world were closed for the Eid al-Adha holiday. Saudi Arabia had originally planned to observe the holiday from Sept. 20 to 27, but King Salman subsequently ordered its extension. Government offices are now scheduled to remain closed for the rest of the week, reopening Sunday.
BAL Analysis: Anyone in need of immigration or other government services in Saudi Arabia should take note of the holiday’s extension and prepare for possible delays when offices reopen.
What is the change? Saudi Arabia has placed 19 jobs off-limits to foreign nationals, as the country continues its efforts to boost Saudi employment in its economy.
What does the change mean? Saudi Arabia will not issue work permits to foreign nationals applying for any of the 19 jobs, including positions as heads of human resource or personnel departments, employment clerks, receptionists and cashiers. Foreign nationals holding jobs now reserved for Saudi nationals will not be issued renewal work permits and may be laid off or forced to switch to new jobs.
Background: Saudi Arabia is in the midst of a years’ long Saudization campaign to boost Saudi employment in the private sector of the country’s economy. The country has set up a system whereby companies employing a higher percentage of Saudi employees enjoy certain perks, such as easier visa and work permit processing. Companies with lower percentages of Saudi employees have more difficulty getting visas or work permits for employees and, in some cases, may not be able to do so at all.
Earlier this month, the Saudi government placed 19 jobs completely off-limits to foreign nationals. Jobs that landed on the list include chief human resources administrator, personnel department head, labor affairs director, employment clerk, timekeeper, receptionist (including hotel and hospital receptionists), cashier and typist.
BAL Analysis: The change to place some jobs off-limits to foreign nationals is consistent with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to boost Saudi employment in the economy. Companies should be sure to adhere to the new requirements, as those who violate Saudization rules may find it more difficult, if not impossible, to recruit foreign employees when needed.
What is the change? Saudi Arabia has lifted a ban on Swedish business travelers. What does the change mean? Swedish nationals can once again apply for business and work visas to Saudi Arabia.
Background: In the midst of a diplomatic dispute, Saudi Arabia suspended issuance of business and work visas to Swedish nationals in March. The move came after Sweden ended a defense agreement with the Kingdom. Riyadh responded by recalling its ambassador and instituting the travel ban. The ban was recently lifted.
BAL Analysis: The change is good news for companies employing Swedish personnel. Swedish nationals are eligible to apply for and obtain business and work visas immediately.
IMPACT – LOW
What is the change? Saudi Arabia has shortened the maximum amount of time relatives can stay in Saudi Arabia on family visit visas to six months. Family members were previously allowed to stay up to nine months.
What does the change mean? Visiting family members will be issued a single six-month visa that cannot be extended or renewed. Previously, they were given an initial three-month visa that could be renewed twice.
Background: The change came into effect when Saudi Arabia launched an online system for family visit visas Feb. 1. The new system was implemented to prevent overcrowding from those applying to extend visas at Jawazat offices. Information entered into the online system must exactly match personal information as it appears on the foreign employee’s residence permit, in Saudi Arabia’s civil registry, and on family members’ passports.
BAL Analysis: Foreign employees should be aware of the new nonrenewable six-month limit on family visit visas. Extensions are only possible for medical emergencies, pregnancies or other valid reasons. If family members overstay the term, they are subject to fines of 10,000 Saudi riyals (about US$2,664) and the sponsor will not be allowed to apply for a family visit visa again.
IMPACT – HIGH
What is the change? Saudi Arabia has lifted its ban on issuing visas, work permits and business contracts to Dutch nationals and Dutch companies.
What does the change mean? Applications by Dutch employers and employees will resume, but delays in consular processing are expected.
Background: Saudi Arabia issued a royal decree in June that banned visas to Dutch nationals in response to a Dutch politician’s printing of anti-Islam stickers. The decree ordered Saudi firms to stop working with Dutch companies and stopped Saudi Consulates from issuing visas or from having to justify visa denials.
BAL Analysis: Dutch employers and assignees may resume visa applications and business projects with Saudi firms.
What is the change? Saudi Arabia has launched an electronic service that will allow expatriates to renew visit visas for relatives.
What does the change mean? Foreign employees may renew visit visas for family members electronically without having to queue in passport offices.
Background: The new service will be part of the Ministry of the Interior’s Abshir electronic data system. In order to use the service, expats must register with Abshir.
BAL Analysis: Assignees will benefit from the new system by being able to quickly extend visit visas for family members and avoid the previous waits that were common.
What is the change? Saudi Arabia’s Health Insurance Council has announced that all private businesses must provide medical insurance for their foreign workers and families.
What does the change mean? As of Aug. 10, the Jawazat (passport office) will check all foreign workers and dependent family members for valid medical insurance before issuing or renewing iqamas (residence permits) and other documents.
Background: The Health Insurance Council announced the universal health coverage policy in June. As of Aug. 10, all private employers must provide health insurance to the dependent family members of expatriate workers. The government has approved certain medical insurers to provide this service. The passport office will not issue iqamas, renew iqamas, issue exit/re-entry visas, or transfer dates from an old passport to a new passport without proof of medical insurance.
Employers are not obligated to provide health insurance to children of Saudi women married to non-Saudi men or non-Saudi women married to Saudi men.
BAL Analysis: Companies that have not already done so should enroll family members of foreign assignees in medical insurance. Dependents who arrive on a residency visa sponsored by a father or husband must obtain health insurance immediately so they will have valid coverage at the time they apply for their iqamas at the Jawazat office.