Saudi Arabia Revises Work Visa Quotas for New Businesses

Saudi Arabia has implemented new regulations regarding work visa quotas for newly established businesses, linking the number of visas to the company's age and participation in the Establishing Programme. Under the revised rules, businesses operating for less than two years are restricted to a maximum of five work visas.

In contrast, companies that have been in operation for over two years can apply for up to 50 work visas through single or multiple applications within the same week. For businesses enrolled in the Establishing Programme, the initial quota is even lower, starting at just two work visas.

This quota can increase as the business progresses through the programme and improves its Nitaqat classification, which measures the employment of Saudi nationals relative to the total workforce. The new framework represents an additional layer of regulation that businesses must consider in their workforce planning, particularly those in the early stages of establishment in Saudi Arabia.