New Professional Verification Requirement for Work Visas
Indian workers aiming to secure employment in Saudi Arabia must now verify their education and employment history before applying for a work visa. The Saudi mission in India has issued a circular stating that professional verification will be a mandatory requirement for work visa issuance starting January 14.
This pre-verification system was initially proposed six months ago as part of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to regulate the arrival of Indian workers and maintain quality standards while addressing the shortage of authorized training centers in India.
Objectives Behind the New Work Visa Rules
- Ensuring higher workforce quality in Saudi Arabia.
- Streamlining the recruitment process for Indian workers.
- Facilitating entry and retention of skilled workers in the Saudi job market.
Additionally, business owners and HR departments in Saudi Arabia must now legally verify the credentials of expatriate workers before hiring them.
Updates on Iqama Renewal & Exit/Re-Entry Visas
Saudi Arabia has also revised regulations related to:
- Renewal of Iqamas (residency permits) for expatriates.
- Extension of exit and re-entry visas, even for expats currently outside Saudi Arabia.
According to an announcement by the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) on X (formerly Twitter), Indian expats can now renew their Iqamas remotely, ensuring greater convenience for workers abroad.
Indian Workforce in Saudi Arabia
India has the second-largest expatriate workforce in Saudi Arabia after Bangladesh. As of 2024, there are:
- 1.64 million Indians employed in the private sector.
- 785,000 Indians working as domestic workers.
Saudi Arabia relies heavily on Indian labor, making these new visa regulations a significant development for the workforce.
Challenges with Verification Centers in India
Many Indian applicants have expressed concerns over the limited number of verification centers. For example, in Rajasthan, driving test centers are only available in Ajmer and Sikar, forcing applicants—especially those from South India to travel long distances, facing language barriers and logistical challenges.
A Rajya Sabha member, Haris Beeran, highlighted the urgent need for more accessible verification centers across India to ease this process.
Saudi Vision 2030 & Higher Recruitment Standards
As part of Saudi Vision 2030, the kingdom aims to:
- Raise recruitment standards for foreign workers.
- Attract highly skilled expatriates.
- Reduce dependency on unskilled labor.
These changes align with Saudi Arabia’s broader goal of building a more skilled and competitive workforce.
