Saudi Arabia hires millions of foreign worker from different countries of the world to fill the market need for its industries and construction companies. This county has large numbers of job opportunity in different sectors like construction, oil industries and other industries. Saudi Arabian government permits the foreign workers and other professionals through work visa. This work visa is valid for specific time and can be renewed if employers require the jobs of employee.
Saudi government changes its work visa policy with the passage of time and amends rules and regulation regarding work permit or visa. Currently, Saudi labor ministry changes immigration rules and work visa policy. Saudi Arabia brings changes in work visa policy due to its labor market and for enhancing revenue. To maintain local labor market government alter visa fee in different visa categories. Work visa change affects workers as well as employers of this country, but according to labor ministry these changes were necessary.
Saudi Arabia hires its 90% labor from other countries of the world and it indicates that there is no labor available in this country, but it is not true. However, latest data indicate that about 12% unemployment is prevailing in nationals of this country. The new policy, which is called “Saudization” in which focus is the national of this country who are going to be unemployed due to low oil prices in the world. The main theme of new work visa policy is to secure jobs for the locals instead of foreign workers.
Similarly the new work visa policy is going down the number of foreign workers. To keeping in view all these factors the labor ministry brings different changes in work visa policy that affects international labor market and labors too. However, the labor ministry focusing the induction of local labors or employees in labor market to reduce the unemployment rate nationally. Ministry of labor (MOL) present new labor rules for persisting jobs in August. Currently, Saudi employers offer jobs to national of this country first.
Saudi Arabian Work Visa New Fee Structure 2026
| Visa Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single entry visit visa | SR 2,000 |
| Multiple entry visit visa (6 months) | SR 3,000 |
| Multiple entry visit visa (1 year) | SR 5,000 |
| Multiple entry visit visa (2 years) | SR 8,000 |
| Single month re-entry visa fee | SR 200 |
| Extra month (re-entry) | SR 100 |
| Multiple entries (3 months) | SR 500 |
| Extra month (multiple entries) | SR 200 |
| Transit visa | SR 300 |
| Departure fee (seaports) | SR 50 |
There are some basic changes brings in fee charges and now all fees are deposit according to new labor rules. The following fee configuration will be implemented for foreign employees who have valid work visa or permit. However, it is necessary for the applicant to check fee structure before submitting application.
Read Also: Saudi Arabia New Visa Rules 2026
Impact of Work Visa Policy Changes
The changes in work visa policies affect the employers because of taking more time to getting block visas. It is necessary for the employers to understand new work visa policy to manage their employees demand according to delay in obtaining visa. So employers are planning to reconstruct agreement with employees due to high visa fee. In this way the employers will limit their job offers to foreign workers because of huge work visa cost and other hurdles and they certainly offer jobs to local employees.
Similarly they revise salary packages and other facilities just as medical, accommodation or providing foods, etc. According to new work visa or permit policy will definitely affect both employees and employers, but will enhance the national revenue as well as minimize unemployment rate in country.
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