Saudi Arabia Implements New Expat Visa Cap for Startups
Saudi Arabia introduces new visa limits for businesses under two years old to prioritize local hiring and support Vision 2030.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has introduced a new Saudi Arabia expat visa cap for new businesses via the digital Qiwa platform to control the recruitment of foreign workers.
This regulatory measure is designed to curb rapid over-recruitment and ensure that new startups prioritize the employment of Saudi nationals, aligning with the strategic goals of Vision 2030.
New Visa Limits for Startups and Established Firms
The new policy establishes clear distinctions in visa availability based on how long a company has been in operation:
- Businesses operating for less than two years: These entities are now capped at five instant work visas per application cycle.
- Established firms (operating for more than two years): These companies are permitted up to 50 instant visas per cycle.
- Establishment Programme participants: These companies receive an initial allocation of two visas, with the opportunity for further increases tied to improvements in their Saudization rates.
Strict Eligibility Criteria for Qiwa Visas
To access instant work visas through the Qiwa platform, businesses must meet several mandatory requirements. Entities must maintain an active commercial registration and possess valid work permits. Additionally, a company's Saudization rate must be categorized as "medium green" or higher to be eligible.
Further compliance obligations include:
- Adherence to the Wage Protection System.
- Maintaining sufficient balances on government platforms, including Absher and Muqeem.
- Conducting annual self-assessments for businesses that employ ten or more staff members.
- Ensuring employers are at least 18 years old and hold the necessary recruitment quota balances.
Accelerating the National Saudization Agenda
The Ministry is intensifying its localization efforts across the private sector. Significant mandates have been implemented to shift the workforce toward Saudi nationals.
Mandates for Administrative and Accounting Roles
As of October 4, 2026, a 100% Saudization mandate has come into full effect for 69 administrative support professions. This includes critical roles such as:
- Secretarial positions
- Human Resources (HR)
- Data entry roles
Furthermore, a 50% localization requirement for accounting professions is set to commence on October 27, 2026.
Key Labor Reforms and Milestones
These recent changes follow a series of major regulatory milestones aimed at reshaping the labor market:
- Nitaqat Mutawar Program: Launched in February, this initiative aims to localize more than 340,000 jobs within the private sector.
- Electronic Documentation: Since April 15, 2026, all contracts must be electronically documented on Qiwa to be counted toward Saudization quotas.
- Work Permit Classification: Effective July 1, 2025, Minister Ahmed Al-Rajhi implemented a system that classifies expat work permits into high-skill, skilled, and basic categories.