The Voice News: Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of block work visas for 14 countries, including Bangladesh. The decision, issued by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, will remain in effect until the end of next month, according to Qatar-based news outlet The Arab Times.
Alongside Bangladesh, the other countries affected by the suspension are Pakistan, India, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.
A block visa is a type of pre-approved quota system that allows Saudi employers to recruit a specific number of foreign workers. Once the quota is approved, companies can easily apply for entry visas for those workers.
Due to this temporary suspension, no new quotas will be issued, and even previously approved visas might face delays or cancellation. Workers who already have visas but have not yet entered Saudi Arabia may also face obstacles to entry.
According to officials, the decision was made to regulate the labor market during the Hajj season, to prevent unauthorized foreign workers from participating in Hajj, and to ensure the implementation of immigration policies and crowd control measures.
Although the suspension is temporary, it has caused concern among job seekers and businesses that rely heavily on foreign labor.
In addition to work visas, Umrah visas for citizens of these 14 countries have also been temporarily suspended. Moreover, there have been increasing delays and rejections in the issuance of family visit visas and commercial visas in recent weeks.
Since February this year, multiple-entry tourist visas have been repeatedly restricted, with the authorities now only issuing single-entry visas.