Saudi Tightens Visa Rules For Indian Workers

Saudi Arabia has tightened the work visa rules for Indian workers as a strategy to control the number of incoming Indian workers. 

Additionally, Saudi Arabia has also updated the rules for expatriates concerning exit and re-entry visa extensions and the renewal of Iqamas (residency permits). 

The General Directorate of Passports in Saudi Arabia announced on X (formerly Twitter) that expatriates, including those currently outside the kingdom, can now renew their Iqamas.

Indians planning to apply for a work visa for Saudi Arabia will now be required to undergo pre-verification of their professional and educational qualifications. 

The Saudi mission in India in a circular said professional verification procedures for issuing work visas will be implemented from January 14.

The move mandating the pre-verification requirement was proposed six months ago as a strategy to control the number of incoming Indian workers, given the limited capacity of qualified training centres in the country, and to maintain quality standards.