Saudi Arabia has lifted the pause on the issuance of Temporary Work Visas (TWV) for nationals of Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. The pause remains in effect for Ethiopian nationals, as of July 31, according to Fragomen.
Earlier, Fragomen reported that although there has not been a government announcement, in practice, Saudi Arabia had paused the issuance of Temporary Work Visas (TWV) for all nationals, including applications currently in progress, and removed the TWV quota option on the Qiwa portal until further notice.
Suspension
Saudi Arabia temporarily suspended Umrah, business, and family visit visas to 14 countries, including India, in April 2025, as part of its efforts to streamline pilgrimage operations and ensure safety and comfort.
The temporary travel ban was a logistical measure to prevent congestion during the Hajj season, primarily affecting short-term visa categories. Indian citizens were expected to regain access to short-term visa services after the Hajj season and resume regular visa processing.
The restriction on TWVs would have delayed and posed difficulties for firms that rely on foreign workers for short-term projects. In the July 16 update, Fragomen wrote that the pause on issuing Temporary Work Visas has been lifted for most nationals. The pause remains in place for nationals of Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.
Expired Visit Visas
Also, in order to give holders of expired visit visas of all kinds a window to lawfully depart the country, Saudi Arabia has extended the grace period that it announced in June.
Beginning on July 26, 2025, the extension will be available for 30 days, according to the Kingdom’s General Directorate of Passports. The action is intended to make it easier for people whose visitation visas have expired to make their ultimate departure.
To commemorate the start of the Hijri New Year, the initiative was first presented last month. As mandated by current legislation, applicants must first pay all applicable fees and fines in order to get the initiative’s benefits.
The Directorate clarified that qualified individuals can utilize this program by submitting a request via the Ministry of Interior’s “Absher” electronic services platform’s Tawasul service.