Saudi arabia work visa: Saudi Arabia has lifted the temporary ban on block work visas for India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other 12 countries after Haj-2025. Saudi’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has confirmed this decision. This has given a new hope towards the migrant workers towards employment.

14 countries of the world will get the benefit of removing block work visa ban. It will get India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen and Algeria.

What is a block work visa?

Block Work Visa is a central visa system of Saudi Arabia under which companies there are allowed to appoint a certain number of foreign employees. This visa is specially used for large construction and service sector companies. A large number of workers are used to recruit pre-informed numbers. Its help helps to make the visa process faster and structured. The Sudden Government temporarily stopped this visa quota in January 2025 to avoid crowds and chaos during Haj.

Millions of workers will benefit from removing the ban
Thousands of skilled workers affected by this decision of Saudi government will now get new work opportunities. This is a relief news for those whose appointments were canceled or postponed due to the Haj-seas. This decision is especially beneficial for India, as the number of Indian workers in Saudi Arabia is more than 26 lakhs. Thousands of Indians go in search of employment in Saudi every year. The growth rate of overseas Indians in Sudi has been more than 10%.

Why was it stopped?
Over the years, it has been observed that many work visa holders also try to perform Haj, causing a crowd of pilgrims out of registration. In 2024, due to heat and chaos, many deaths occurred during Haj, due to which the pilgrims were considered without legitimate permission or registration. Due to this, the Saudi government takes many stringent steps on work visas, travel permits and maize entry every year during Haj.