Saudi Arabia Sets New Instant Work Visa Caps Based on Business Age
Saudi Arabia introduces new limits on instant work visas via Qiwa, tying quotas to business operational age and Nitaqat compliance.
Saudi Arabia has introduced significant new regulations that will change how businesses access foreign labor. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has implemented strict caps on the issuance of instant work visas through the Qiwa platform, with the number of available visas now directly tied to a company's operational history.
New Quotas Based on Company Maturity
Under the new policies, which were solidified in June 2026, the ability to hire foreign workers instantly is no longer uniform across all sectors. Instead, the Ministry has established a tiered system for visa allocations based on how long a business has been active:
- Businesses operating for less than two years: These entities are restricted to a maximum of five instant work visas.
- Businesses operating for more than two years: These enterprises are permitted to obtain up to 50 instant work visas, which can be requested through a single application or a series of requests submitted within the same week.
- 'Establishing Programme' participants: Companies enrolled in this programme will receive an initial allocation of just two work visas, with the potential for an increase as the entity matures and achieves a higher Nitaqat classification.
Operational Age vs. Commercial Registration
For employers seeking to plan their recruitment, it is crucial to understand that the two-year threshold is not determined solely by the date on a commercial registration. Instead, the authorities will evaluate documented business activity to determine if a company meets the age requirement for higher visa quotas.
Strict Compliance and Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for these instant visas, companies must meet a rigorous set of conditions enforced via the Qiwa platform. Simply being registered is insufficient; businesses must demonstrate high levels of regulatory compliance to participate.
Key requirements for employers include:
- Maintaining an active business status with valid commercial registrations and work permits for all current staff.
- Achieving a 'Medium Green' Nitaqat classification or higher.
- Ensuring full compliance with the Wage Protection System (WPS).
- Maintaining sufficient balances on both the Absher and Muqeem platforms.
- Completing an annual self-assessment if the company employs 10 or more workers.
Additionally, the employer must be at least 18 years old, all employee work locations must be registered on Qiwa, and the business must maintain an adequate recruitment quota balance.
Driving Saudization and Sustainable Growth
These measures are part of a broader strategic push by the Kingdom to advance its Saudization initiatives. By tying visa availability to both operational tenure and strict compliance, the government aims to achieve several key objectives:
- Incentivize the hiring of local Saudi nationals.
- Promote sustainable business growth rather than rapid, unchecked expansion.
- Curb the trend of startups relying on rapid, large-scale foreign labor recruitment.
Ultimately, the policy is designed to prioritize established firms that demonstrate a long-term commitment to national labor regulations and the local economy.