Latest news with #MinistryofHumanResourcesandSocialDevelopment
CairoScene
5 days ago
- Business
- CairoScene
Work Visa Ban in Saudi Arabia Lifted for 14 Nations
Work visas are back for Egypt, India, Pakistan, and more after Saudi Arabia lifts a ban tied to unregistered Hajj pilgrimages. Saudi Arabia has lifted a work visa ban on citizens from 14 countries. The decision, confirmed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, reopens job access to foreign workers from places including India, Pakistan, Egypt, and Bangladesh. The temporary visa freeze was originally enacted as a crowd-control measure ahead of the Hajj season, when workers on visas were reportedly attempting to perform Hajj without official registration. Saudi authorities have taken similar steps before the pilgrimage season in previous years. The countries impacted by the change include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen, and Algeria.
The Sun
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Saudi's Human Resources Ministry leverages digital services to enhance Hajj experience
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development significantly contributed to this year's Hajj season (1446 AH) by providing a suite of digital services designed to streamline procedures, overcome challenges, and elevate service quality for pilgrims. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), these efforts were coordinated with various government agencies across the holy sites. At the forefront of these initiatives was the ministry's electronic application, offering 24/7 services for both individuals and businesses. These included reporting labour violations, accessing family counselling, and a rapid donation service. The Mowaamah application specifically caters to people with disabilities, providing services such as sign language translation, communication with a visual assistant for the blind, identification of accessible locations, and video communication tools for clear explanations of emergencies, boosting specialist response times. Furthermore, the Ajeer Al-Hajj platform, launched by the ministry to organise the seasonal labour market, achieved remarkable success. This platform enables establishments to engage national and seasonal contract workers, effectively enhancing the quality of pilgrim services. By mid-season, over 40,000 permits were issued through the platform, with 3,185 contracting establishments and a total of 39,766 workers, demonstrating its effectiveness in meeting seasonal labour demands and providing essential competencies for pilgrim service entities.
The Sun
07-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Saudi HR Ministry boosts Hajj with digital service platforms
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development significantly contributed to this year's Hajj season (1446 AH) by providing a suite of digital services designed to streamline procedures, overcome challenges, and elevate service quality for pilgrims. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), these efforts were coordinated with various government agencies across the holy sites. At the forefront of these initiatives was the ministry's electronic application, offering 24/7 services for both individuals and businesses. These included reporting labour violations, accessing family counselling, and a rapid donation service. The Mowaamah application specifically caters to people with disabilities, providing services such as sign language translation, communication with a visual assistant for the blind, identification of accessible locations, and video communication tools for clear explanations of emergencies, boosting specialist response times. Furthermore, the Ajeer Al-Hajj platform, launched by the ministry to organise the seasonal labour market, achieved remarkable success. This platform enables establishments to engage national and seasonal contract workers, effectively enhancing the quality of pilgrim services. By mid-season, over 40,000 permits were issued through the platform, with 3,185 contracting establishments and a total of 39,766 workers, demonstrating its effectiveness in meeting seasonal labour demands and providing essential competencies for pilgrim service entities.
Arab Times
31-05-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
These 14 Countries Are Now Facing Saudi Visa Suspensions — Find Out Why
RIYADH, May 31: In a sweeping policy shift set to impact thousands of foreign workers and international businesses, Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of block work visa quotas for nationals of 14 countries. The measure will remain in effect until the end of June 2025, coinciding with the conclusion of the upcoming Hajj season. Affected Nations Include India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh The decision, announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, halts the approval of new block work visa quotas for the following countries: India Pakistan Bangladesh Egypt Indonesia Iraq Nigeria Jordan Algeria Sudan Ethiopia Tunisia Yemen Morocco The suspension is part of broader efforts by the Kingdom to manage inbound labor during peak pilgrimage periods and tighten regulatory oversight across immigration and employment sectors. Understanding Block Work Visas Block work visas are quota-based permits that allow Saudi employers to hire a predetermined number of foreign workers. Once approved, these quotas enable businesses to apply for work visas for specific candidates. Under the new restrictions: - No new block visa quotas will be issued for employers targeting the affected countries. - Delays are expected in processing even previously approved quotas. - Applicants with pending work entry visas may face denial or indefinite delays. - Individuals holding valid work visas but who have not yet entered Saudi Arabia may also encounter entry restrictions. Authorities have urged travelers to confirm their visa and entry status with their airline or the nearest Saudi diplomatic mission before making travel arrangements. Strategic Pause Aimed at Regulatory Control The move appears to be strategically timed to coincide with the Hajj season—a period marked by a dramatic increase in travel to Saudi Arabia. Key objectives behind the suspension include: - Regulating the inflow of foreign labor during the pilgrimage season - Preventing unauthorized participation in Hajj by foreign workers - Enhancing immigration compliance and crowd management capabilities While the measure is temporary, it imposes immediate logistical and operational challenges for employers, recruitment agencies, and prospective job seekers across the affected regions. Broader Visa Restrictions Also Introduced In addition to the suspension of block work visas, Saudi Arabia has also implemented temporary restrictions across other visa categories: Umrah Visas Applications from the same 14 countries are currently on hold during peak pilgrimage periods. While electronic systems may accept submissions, actual approvals have become increasingly rare. Family Visit Visas Processing for family visit visas has been suspended or significantly delayed for several countries, leaving many families in limbo with little to no information on the status of their applications. Business Visas Foreign professionals seeking to enter Saudi Arabia for meetings or short-term assignments face increased scrutiny. Many business visa applications are being quietly delayed or denied without official explanation. Tourist Visas As of February 1, 2025, Saudi authorities have stopped issuing multiple-entry tourist visas to citizens of the affected countries. Only single-entry visas are currently being considered. Advice for Prospective Travelers All affected individuals—especially those holding pending or recently approved visas—are strongly advised to reconfirm their eligibility directly with airlines or Saudi diplomatic missions. Airlines are expected to enforce the latest immigration guidelines, and failure to verify status may result in denied boarding or refusal of entry upon arrival.
Gulf Insider
26-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia: HR Ministry Launches ‘CV Upload' Service For Domestic Workers On Musaned
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has launched the 'CV Upload' service for domestic workers through the Musaned platform, allowing employers to use it when transferring service of a worker to another employer. The ministry noted that this service is an innovative model designed to facilitate the selection of workers based on their résumé and to enable the smooth and streamlined transfer of services. The process is fully automated, enhancing employers' access to domestic workers already residing in the Kingdom. Through Musaned, domestic workers can upload their CVs once their contract with their current employer ends. The uploaded CVs include details such as job titles and acquired experience, allowing prospective employers to search and select candidates based on skills and job requirements. This measure also helps protect the rights of both workers and employers. This service aligns with the ministry's broader efforts to develop the recruitment sector in the Kingdom. Previously, the ministry launched several initiatives to safeguard the rights of both parties in the contractual relationship, including the Wages Protection Program for domestic workers, mandatory insurance, and the Unified Contract Program, which is binding on both parties and clearly outlines their rights and obligations.
