Immigration 

Saudi Arabia | Business and visit visa suspensions lifted; Temporary Work Visa update

Summary

Vialto Partners previously issued a Regional Alert for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia highlighting the suspension of Temporary Work Visas (TWVs) and Visit Visas for certain nationalities as of 28 April 2025. Saudi authorities have since lifted the suspension on Business and Visit Visas, for nationals of fourteen countries, and the TWV category has been fully reinstated.

The detail

In Saudi Arabia, Temporary Work Visas (TWVs) and Business Visit Visas serve distinct purposes:

• Business Visit Visas are used for short-term, non-remunerated activities such as meetings, consultations, or attending conferences.
• Temporary Work Visas (TWVs) allow foreign nationals to carry out paid, practical work in the Kingdom for up to 90 days, without requiring a residence permit (Iqama). These visas are quota-controlled via the Qiwa platform and involve stricter regulatory oversight.

The suspensions were implemented as part of broader efforts to manage immigration during the Hajj season and to support Saudisation, which restricts the employment of foreign nationals in key sectors such as tourism and hospitality. However, the suspension on Business and Visit Visas has now been lifted for nationals of the following fourteen countries: Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. In addition, there has also been full reinstatement of the TWV route, with no restrictions on any nationality.

Please note the following additional key developments:

• Only single-entry visas are currently being issued;
• The maximum permitted stay is up to 90 days;
• Letters of Invitation (LOIs) are being issued, but they no longer specify visa validity or the number of permitted entries;
• The final decision on visa validity and entry type (single vs. multiple entry) rests entirely with Saudi authorities.

What this means

The lifting of the Business and Visit Visa suspension combined with the resumption of Temporary Work Visas (TWVs), represents a step toward restoring short-term mobility into Saudi Arabia. Employers can now fully resume the deployment of foreign nationals for both non-remunerated visits and short-term, hands-on work, offering much-needed flexibility for project planning and operational delivery.

The return of TWVs is especially important for sectors that rely on rapid mobilisation of skilled talent. While the resumption of the TWV eases previous constraints, employers should continue to follow all regulatory requirements, including sponsorship, Qiwa quota approval, and compliance with Saudisation rules.

How we can help

At Vialto Partners, we provide strategic and operational support in managing immigration compliance and planning. Our team can assist you with:

• Assessing the impact of visa restrictions on your workforce;
• Supporting TWV and Business Visa applications;
• Identifying alternative work authorisation strategies.

We continue to monitor regulatory updates and will share further guidance as new information becomes available. For tailored advice, please contact our team.

 

Contact us

For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:

Anir Chatterji
EMEA Immigration Partner

Ali Ibrahim 
Director, KSA and Bahrain Lead

Ahmed Amer
Manager

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