New Visa Rules in Saudi Arabia: What Expats Need to Know

[Fatima]

Saudi Arabia has overhauled its visa system in recent months, aligning key reforms with its Vision 2030 goals — boosting economic diversification and digital transformation. Here's a clear breakdown:

[1] Skill-Based Work Permits

From July 2025, a fresh classification will apply to all expat work visas:

(a) Tiers: High-skilled, Skilled, and Basic.
(b) Classifications depend on education, experience, income level, and job offer in Saudi Arabia ([Travelobiz], [VisaVerge]).

All new hires and current workers must be slotted into these categories — ongoing expats by early July, new hires by August .

[2] Professional & Academic Verification

To ensure qualifications meet Saudi standards:

(a) Since January 2025, all work visa applicants (especially Indians) must obtain prior authentication of their degrees and professional records ([Arab Local]).
(b) Verification is being systematically automated across dozens of countries, reducing paperwork and processing delays .

[3] Exit & Exit Reentry Visa Updates

New rules streamline exit processes:

(a) Exit visas now require at least 30 days of remaining Iqama (residence permit) validity before application. Premium residency holders are exempt .
(b) Exit Reentry visa fees are nonrefundable, even if cancelled .
(c) Employers must now explicitly approve each reentry — a holdover from the Kafala system, though reforms in recent years have reduced sponsor control .

[4] Penalties for Overstaying or Violating Visa Terms

Authorities are tightening enforcement:

(a) Fines up to SAR 50,000, imprisonment (up to six months), deportation, and reentry bans for overstaying or working without the correct visa.
(b) Sponsors and operators also face heavy fines (up to SAR 100,000) if they allow overstays or illegal employment .

[5] Restricted Visas Around Hajj & Umrah

To improve crowd management during the pilgrimage season:

(a) Block work visas for citizens of 14 countries (incl. India, Pakistan, Egypt) have been temporarily suspended since May 2025.
(b) Business, e tourist, and family visit visas for these 14 nations are partially suspended during key pilgrimage months (midApril to midJune).

[6] GCC e‑Visa for Residents

For GCC citizens and residents (e.g., UAE):

A new one year, multiple entry e‑visa is available online — ideal for business, visits, and regional travel — complete with medical insurance requirement and quick processing via the unified visa platform

[7] Saudisation & Premium Residency

Two initiatives are boosting local economic participation:

(a) Saudisation: From July 2025, strict national employment quotas will apply across 269+ professions (e.g., engineering, healthcare, pharmacy).
(b) Premium Residency (Saudi Green Card) continues to offer longstay options for affluent and skilled expats—without traditional sponsorship.

Final Takeaway

Saudi Arabia is actively reshaping its visa and labor ecosystem—balancing protection for workers and national workforce goals through digitization, stricter enforcement, and targeted reforms. For expats, understanding and adhering to the updated visa framework is more crucial than ever to ensure legal compliance and smooth residency.