The Qiwa platform, operated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), has announced updated regulations governing Instant Work Visas for businesses in Saudi Arabia.

Under the revised policy, newly established businesses that have been operating for less than two years are eligible to receive a maximum of five Instant Work Visas.

Businesses Older Than Two Years Can Receive Up to 50 Instant Work Visas

Qiwa clarified that establishments operating for more than two years may obtain up to 50 Instant Work Visas.

These visas may be issued:

• Through a single application, or

• Through multiple applications submitted at the establishment level within the same week.

Visa Allocation Under the Establishment Program

Businesses enrolled in the Establishment Program and meeting the required conditions will initially receive two visas.

The number of visas may increase if the establishment improves its Saudization rate, which measures the percentage of Saudi nationals employed by the company.

Requirements to Recruit Non-Saudi Workers From Outside Saudi Arabia

Qiwa outlined ten key conditions that establishments must satisfy to recruit foreign workers from outside the Kingdom:

1. The establishment must be active
   The business must have an active legal status.
2. All employee work permits must be valid
   Existing employees' work permits must be valid and up to date.
3. Commercial Registration (CR) must be valid
   The establishment's Commercial Registration must be valid, except for businesses that are legally exempt.
4. The establishment must be classified as Medium Green or higher
   The company must meet the required classification under Saudi Arabia's Saudization (Nitaqat) program.
5. Compliance with Wage Protection and labor regulations
   The establishment must comply with the Wage Protection System and have no outstanding labor compliance violations.
6. Sufficient balance on Ministry of Interior platforms
   The business must maintain sufficient financial credit on Ministry of Interior platforms such as Absher or Muqeem. The required balance can be added through banking services.
7. Annual self-assessment must be completed
   Establishments employing ten or more workers must complete the mandatory annual self-assessment.
8. Employee work locations must be assigned through Qiwa
   Employers must assign work locations for employees using the Qiwa platform.
9. The employer must be at least 18 years old
   The employer or business owner must be 18 years of age or older.
10. An available recruitment quota is required
    The establishment must have an available recruitment quota based on the type of work visa requested.

Types of Work Visas Available Through Qiwa

Qiwa currently offers three categories of work visas for employers:

1. Permanent Work Visa

Issued for recruiting non-Saudi employees under long-term employment contracts.

2. Temporary Work Visa

Issued for recruiting non-Saudi workers under short-term employment contracts lasting up to three months.

3. Hajj and Umrah Temporary Work Visa

Designed for workers employed during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. These visas are issued only after approval from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

Key Highlights

• Businesses operating for less than two years can receive a maximum of five Instant Work Visas.

• Businesses operating for more than two years may obtain up to 50 Instant Work Visas through one or multiple applications within the same week.

• Establishments participating in the Establishment Program initially receive two visas, with additional visas available after improving their Saudization rate.

• Employers must meet ten eligibility requirements to recruit non-Saudi workers from outside Saudi Arabia.

• Qiwa currently offers Permanent Work Visas, Temporary Work Visas, and Hajj and Umrah Temporary Work Visas.