Saudi Arabia Revises Work Visa Quotas. Each Business Firm can hire up to 50 foreign nationals. Apply now!

Saudi Arabia has revised work visa quotas for newly established businesses, with the number of visas now linked to the age of the business and its participation in the Establishing Programme. Businesses operating for less than two years can obtain up to five work visas, while those operating for more than two years can access up to 50 visas, subject to applicable requirements.

Under the revised framework, businesses that have been operating for less than two years can obtain up to five work visas. The change introduces a specific quota based on the age of the business. Employers should assess their current business status and applicable requirements before applying, as the revised framework represents a new condition that was not part of the previous visa quota system.

Businesses that have been operating for more than two years can obtain up to 50 work visas under the revised framework. The quota can be obtained through a single application or through multiple applications submitted within the same week at the entity level. This provides established businesses with greater potential workforce capacity compared with newly established companies operating for less than two years.

The Establishing Programme applies to newly established businesses in Saudi Arabia and determines their initial work visa quota under the revised framework. Businesses participating in the programme will initially receive two work visas. Their quota can increase as they progress through the programme and achieve a higher Nitaqat rate, linking foreign worker recruitment capacity with their development and workforce classification.

Nitaqat is Saudi Arabia's workforce nationalisation framework, which classifies businesses based on their employment of Saudi nationals. Under the revised work visa rules, businesses participating in the Establishing Programme can increase their visa quota as they progress through the programme and achieve a higher Nitaqat rate. Therefore, a business's workforce classification can influence its ability to recruit additional foreign workers.

Yes. Businesses operating for more than two years can obtain up to 50 work visas either through a single application or through multiple applications submitted within the same week at the entity level. The revised framework therefore provides established businesses with flexibility in accessing their available visa quota, although employers must continue meeting the applicable Saudi employment and immigration requirements.

Businesses participating in the Establishing Programme will initially receive two work visas under the revised framework. This is not necessarily their permanent quota. Their available quota can increase as they progress through the programme and achieve a higher Nitaqat rate. Businesses should therefore monitor their programme progress and workforce classification to understand when they may become eligible for additional work visas.

The revised quotas could create potential employment opportunities for Indian professionals and skilled workers as Saudi businesses expand their workforce. Established companies can access up to 50 work visas, while growing businesses may increase their quotas through the Establishing Programme. However, the changes do not guarantee jobs or visas for Indians, as employment remains dependent on employer demand, eligibility and applicable Saudi immigration requirements.

Yes. Immigration services firm Fragomen said the revised requirements are new and were not part of the previous framework. The changes introduce specific considerations based on the age of a business and its participation in the Establishing Programme. Employers seeking to recruit foreign workers should therefore review their current classification and the latest requirements before submitting work visa applications.

Businesses should first determine how long they have been operating, whether they participate in the Establishing Programme and their current Nitaqat status. These factors can affect the available work visa quota under the revised framework. Employers should also confirm the latest requirements with Saudi authorities or qualified immigration advisers before submitting applications to ensure their recruitment plans comply with the updated rules.