Saudi Arabia has finally reopened the gates for temporary foreign workers after months of tight restrictions sparked by the country’s busiest religious travel season.
Although Saudi Arabia resumed issuing Temporary Work Visas (TWVs) to most countries in mid-July 2025, the ban remained in place for 14 key labour-supplying nations, including India, Egypt, and Pakistan.
Who’s Back In (and Who’s Still Out)
As of late July 2025, Saudi Arabia has lifted its pause on issuing Temporary Work Visas (TWVs) for citizens of;
- Algeria
- Bangladesh
- Egypt
- India
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Morocco
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Sudan
- Tunisia
- Yemen
That said, Ethiopian nationals are still not eligible, with no clear explanation or timeline for resumption.
The move comes after the Kingdom abruptly halted all Temporary Work Visas (TWVs) processing in April by removing the option from the Qiwa platform, its central portal for managing work permits.
No official announcement was made at the time, but employers across industries quickly noticed. Applications in progress were stalled, and hiring plans were thrown into disarray.
What Are Temporary Work Visas (TWVs)?
Think of Temporary Work Visas (TWVs) as Saudi Arabia’s way of fast-tracking foreign workers for short-term projects. They’re valid for up to 90 days, with a possible extension. They’re often used in:
- Construction and engineering
- Oil and gas
- IT and tech deployments
- Conferences and major events
For employers, TWVs are a faster, leaner alternative to long-term work permits, especially for filling immediate project needs.
Why the Visa Freeze Happened
The pause was likely tied to Hajj 2025. Each year, Saudi Arabia restricts several visa categories during the pilgrimage season to manage crowd control and national resources. But the scope this time was broader and less transparent than usual.
In addition to halting TWVs, the government paused:
- Tourist e-visas
- Visa-on-Arrival
- Umrah permits
- Entry for some family and business visitors
What’s Open Again Post-Hajj
Now that the pilgrimage is over, Saudi Arabia has reopened most visa categories. Here’s where things stand:
| Visa Type | Status |
|---|---|
| Temporary Work Visas | Resumed for most; still paused for Ethiopia |
| Umrah Visas | Reopened from June 10 |
| Business Visit Visas | Available to eligible applicants |
| Family Visit Visas | Applications being accepted again |
| Tourist e-Visas | Platform operational; some limitations |
| Visa-on-Arrival | Active for travellers with valid US, UK, or Schengen visas/residency |
| Block Work Visa Quota | Company hiring under quotas resumed |
Final Thoughts
If you’re an employer trying to bring in foreign talent for short-term projects, TWVs are back on the table, unless your candidate is Ethiopian. If you’re a traveller waiting for Saudi Arabia to resume normal visa operations post-Hajj, most routes are now open again.
Still, the silence around the TWV freeze and the ongoing hold for Ethiopia raises questions about how Saudi Arabia will handle future seasonal visa pauses. For now, though, it looks like business is getting back on track.
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