After several months of tight restrictions due to the peak of the religious travel season, Saudi Arabia has reopened the door for temporary international workers.
Although Temporary Work Visas (TWVs) resumed for some countries in mid-July 2025, the ban initially remained in place for 14 major labor-supplying nations, including India, Pakistan, and Egypt. That has now changed.
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Who Is Back In—and Who Is Still Out
As of late July 2025, Saudi Arabia has lifted its TWV suspension for nationals of the following countries:
- Yemen
- Algeria
- Tunisia
- Bangladesh
- Sudan
- Egypt
- Pakistan
- India
- Nigeria
- Indonesia
- Morocco
- Iraq
- Jordan
One major exception remains: Ethiopian citizens are still ineligible for TWVs, with no clear explanation or timeline for reinstatement.
Why Temporary Work Visas Matter
Temporary Work Visas (TWVs) are Saudi Arabia’s fast-track system for bringing in foreign talent for urgent or short-term projects. These visas are valid for 90 days and are often used in:
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- Engineering and construction
- Information technology and systems deployment
- Oil and gas field operations
- Conferences and special events
For employers, TWVs are a more agile and cost-effective solution compared to long-term work permits—particularly for filling roles tied to immediate project timelines.
Why the Ban Happened
The suspension was most likely tied to Hajj 2025, the annual Islamic pilgrimage that brings millions of people to Saudi Arabia. Each year, the Kingdom limits certain visa categories to control the flow of visitors, conserve resources, and ensure safety.
This year, the restrictions were broader and included:
- Temporary Work Visas
- Tourist e-visas
- Umrah permits
- Visa-on-arrival for select countries
- Family and business visitor entries
The TWV application option was even removed from the Qiwa platform, Saudi Arabia’s centralized work permit system, leading to confusion and stalled recruitment plans for many businesses.
What This Means Now
If you’re an employer in Saudi Arabia seeking short-term international talent, TWVs are now available again for most major labor-source countries—except Ethiopia.
If you’re a traveler waiting for visa processing to normalize after Hajj, most visa channels have now reopened.
While the reasoning behind the initial ban was never formally stated, and Ethiopia’s exclusion remains unexplained, the latest update signals that Saudi Arabia is resuming business as usual—at least for now.
