Saudi Arabia Strengthens Work Visa Regulations for Indian Workers

Starting January 14, 2025, Indian nationals applying for a work visa to Saudi Arabia will be required to complete a professional verification process for their qualifications. This new regulation is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader labor reforms aimed at aligning with its Vision 2030 objectives, focusing on flexible employment contracts and stricter certification for certain professions. The move is expected to enhance the quality of the workforce and streamline recruitment processes for expatriates.

Indians form the second-largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia, with more than 2.4 million residents. As a key source of foreign labor, this update is significant for many individuals seeking employment in the kingdom. The pre-verification requirement, which was first proposed six months ago, involves verifying academic and professional credentials before issuing a work visa.

The Saudi mission in India has issued a circular stating that from January 14, professional verification will be mandatory for issuing work visas. This includes attesting educational and professional qualifications, which must be submitted alongside the visa application. The aim is to ensure that foreign workers meet the kingdom’s new standards for skill and professionalism.

In addition to this change, Saudi Arabia has also introduced other reforms related to residency and visa processes. Expatriates renewing their Iqama (residency permits) or extending exit and re-entry visas can now do so even while residing outside the country. This flexibility is expected to ease the administrative burden on expats and improve the overall efficiency of visa management.

For those applying for a Saudi work visa, the process remains largely the same but with the addition of the new pre-verification step. Applicants must secure a job offer from a Saudi-based employer, who will provide an official invitation letter, certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Key documents for the application include a passport valid for at least six months, recent passport-sized photographs, an attested employment contract, and police clearance, among others.

The fees for the Saudi work visa vary depending on the type of visa, ranging from SAR 2,000 for a single-entry visa to SAR 7,000 for a two-year work visa. Applicants should also secure health insurance, which is mandatory for foreign workers in Saudi Arabia.

With these new changes, Indian workers will need to be more diligent in ensuring that their qualifications are properly verified before applying. This tightening of regulations underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to modernizing its labor market and attracting a highly skilled workforce, in line with its ambitious Vision 2030 reforms.