Saudi Arabia Restricts Foreign Worker Visas as Companies Face New Quotas

Saudi Arabia has introduced new limits on instant work visas for private-sector employers, with the number available to a company now linked to its age and, in some cases, its Nitaqat classification.

The revised rules are being implemented through the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s Qiwa platform as part of the Kingdom’s Saudisation programme under Vision 2030. Companies that have been operating for less than two years can obtain a maximum of five instant work visas. Businesses with a longer operating history may apply for up to 50 visas in a single week, subject to the applicable requirements.

Companies enrolled in the Establishing Programme face lower limits. They initially receive an allocation of two visas, with the number increasing as their Saudisation performance improves.

The Nitaqat system ranks employers according to their employment of Saudi nationals and plays a key role in determining access to foreign workers. Companies with stronger compliance with Saudisation requirements are given greater flexibility in recruiting expatriates, while newer or less compliant businesses face tighter limits.

The changes could affect recruitment plans for start-ups and small businesses that rely on overseas workers. Employers with limited visa allocations may have less capacity to sponsor foreign employees, even where they have vacancies.

For job seekers, an advertised position in Saudi Arabia does not necessarily mean that the employer can obtain a work permit for a foreign worker. Prospective employees are advised to establish how long the company has been operating, check its Nitaqat classification and confirm that it has sufficient capacity to sponsor foreign staff.

Job seekers have also been advised not to pay recruitment fees before confirming that an employer has the required visa quota. This is particularly relevant to workers who secure jobs through recruitment agencies or businesses with limited access to foreign-worker visas.

The new limits come as Saudi Arabia continues to restrict expatriate access to parts of its labour market. The Kingdom has expanded the number of occupations reserved for Saudi nationals, preventing foreign workers from taking up a growing range of jobs.

For African workers, including Kenyans, the changes may reduce opportunities with newly established businesses and employers operating with small visa allocations. Recruitment through agencies may also require greater verification of an employer’s ability to sponsor foreign workers.