[Saudi Arabia] Stricter work visa rules for Indian workers come into force

Saudi Arabia has issued a circular requiring the pre-verification of professional and academic qualifications of Indian workers for all work visa applications from January 14, The New Indian Express reports.

The change could restrict the number of Indian workers in the country as there is a limited number of qualified training centres that can ensure quality control.

Indians are reportedly the second-largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia; as of 2024, more than 2.4 million Indian workers lived in the Kingdom. These include 1.64 million in the private sector and 785,000 in domestic work. 

Bangladesh has the largest expat community with 2.69 million workers residing there.

Indian workers, including women, are a key part of Saudi Arabia's labour market and send or bring remittances back to India.

However, under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 - and moves to employ a greater number of nationals in the workforce - the Saudi labour sector is undergoing changes, including stricter certification requirements for respective jobs.

From January 14, all applicants must validate academic credentials, as the country aims to facilitate smoother access to its labour market and improve worker retention rates.

Establishment owners and HR departments will be required to verify certificates and information provided by expatriate employees. The new initiative is reportedly expected to streamline recruitment and enhance the quality of the workforce in the Kingdom.

A circular issued by the Saudi mission in India stated that "professional verification procedures for issuing work visas will be implemented from January 14.

"Therefore, the professional verification will become one of the mandatory requirements for issuing work visas.”

However, there have reportedly been widespread complaints about the low number of test centres where applicants can be verified.

Speaking to The New Indian Express, Haris Beeran - a member of Rajya Sabha - said, “For instance, test centres for car drivers are located in Ajmer and Sikar in Rajasthan. Applicants, especially those from the South, are compelled to travel long distances to these locations, facing both linguistic and logistical issues.” 

Sources reportedly told the publication that with a "clear vision to support Saudization efforts," which focuses on giving more opportunities to the local population, the aim is to "raise recruitment standards and attract skilled expatriate talent." This will elevate recruitment standards.

The sources added that this has also led to improvements in the situation of Indian workers. "The initial stage of addressing labour disputes is a mediation process aimed at reaching an amicable resolution between the worker and employer. If this fails, the case is referred to the labour court, and it is a streamlined process," one source said.

Concerning working conditions for women, the spokesperson reportedly highlighted Saudi Arabia's progress in supporting female employment, positioning the country as a favourable environment for their success.

Source: The New Indian Express

(Quotes via original reporting)

Saudi Arabia has issued a circular requiring the pre-verification of professional and academic qualifications of Indian workers for all work visa applications from January 14, The New Indian Express reports.

The change could restrict the number of Indian workers in the country as there is a limited number of qualified training centres that can ensure quality control.

Indians are reportedly the second-largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia; as of 2024, more than 2.4 million Indian workers lived in the Kingdom. These include 1.64 million in the private sector and 785,000 in domestic work. 

Bangladesh has the largest expat community with 2.69 million workers residing there.

Indian workers, including women, are a key part of Saudi Arabia's labour market and send or bring remittances back to India.

However, under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 - and moves to employ a greater number of nationals in the workforce - the Saudi labour sector is undergoing changes, including stricter certification requirements for respective jobs.

From January 14, all applicants must validate academic credentials, as the country aims to facilitate smoother access to its labour market and improve worker retention rates.

Establishment owners and HR departments will be required to verify certificates and information provided by expatriate employees. The new initiative is reportedly expected to streamline recruitment and enhance the quality of the workforce in the Kingdom.

A circular issued by the Saudi mission in India stated that "professional verification procedures for issuing work visas will be implemented from January 14.

"Therefore, the professional verification will become one of the mandatory requirements for issuing work visas.”

However, there have reportedly been widespread complaints about the low number of test centres where applicants can be verified.

Speaking to The New Indian Express, Haris Beeran - a member of Rajya Sabha - said, “For instance, test centres for car drivers are located in Ajmer and Sikar in Rajasthan. Applicants, especially those from the South, are compelled to travel long distances to these locations, facing both linguistic and logistical issues.” 

Sources reportedly told the publication that with a "clear vision to support Saudization efforts," which focuses on giving more opportunities to the local population, the aim is to "raise recruitment standards and attract skilled expatriate talent." This will elevate recruitment standards.

The sources added that this has also led to improvements in the situation of Indian workers. "The initial stage of addressing labour disputes is a mediation process aimed at reaching an amicable resolution between the worker and employer. If this fails, the case is referred to the labour court, and it is a streamlined process," one source said.

Concerning working conditions for women, the spokesperson reportedly highlighted Saudi Arabia's progress in supporting female employment, positioning the country as a favourable environment for their success.

Source: The New Indian Express

(Quotes via original reporting)