Gulf Expat Rights Under Kuwait’s Ministerial Decree 15/2025, in force in 2026, employers must record daily working hours, rest, weekends and holidays on the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM) system, and those records are the official reference for inspections and overtime evidence. What it means for you: overtime and end-of-service claims now hinge on logged hours, so keep … Read more
The UAE’s end-of-service savings scheme has been voluntary since 1 November 2023 (Cabinet Resolution 96/2023), with employers contributing 5.83% of basic salary for staff under 5 years and 8.33% for staff with 5 or more years into an SCA-approved fund, while pre-enrolment gratuity is preserved. A consultation on the scheme closed in February 2026 and … Read more
Private-sector firms in the UAE with 50 or more staff must reach 10% Emiratis in skilled roles by 31 December 2026, with a fine of AED 10,000 per month running from 1 July 2026 for each unmet target. What it means for you: non-compliant firms face mounting monthly fines, which drives hiring reshuffles — Emiratization … Read more
The UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) clarified a 60-day family-visit pathway (reported 15 October 2026) for ordinary passport holders from select African and Asian nations — Kenya, South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, India — who hold a valid visa or residency from the UK, US, EU, Australia, Canada, … Read more
Saudi Arabia’s tourist eVisa portal covers 66 countries (one-year multiple-entry, 90 days per visit; covers tourism, family visits and Umrah, but not Hajj). The 2026 revision leaves only three African countries on the list: Mauritius, Seychelles and South Africa. Nigerians and other African nationals must use consular or agent routes instead of the instant online … Read more
From 13 April 2026 until the end of Hajj (mid-June 2026), Saudi Arabia temporarily suspended issuance of Umrah, family-visit and business visas for 14 countries — Morocco, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen — plus visa-on-arrival (for those qualifying via UK, US or Schengen visas), to stop unregistered … Read more
Under Saudi Arabia’s new Social Insurance Law (in force 3 July 2024), pension contributions for first-time Saudi contributors rose 0.5 points on each side, reaching 10% employee and 10% employer (totals around 10.75% employee and 12.75% employer with SANED and hazard), with the phased rise running to 2028. The expat rate is unchanged: employer-only 2% … Read more
Saudi Arabia’s MHRSD made the employment-contract documentation rate on Qiwa a core compliance indicator — announced 12 April 2026, with documentation thresholds of 85% by 30 April 2026 and 90% by 30 June 2026; employers below the thresholds risk suspension of Qiwa immigration and labour services. From 15 April 2026, only Saudis with electronically documented … Read more
Qiwa has stated that non-Saudi employees’ registration must be cancelled if their work permits have expired, or if they have remained without a valid work permit for more than three months after 30 June 2026, regardless of residency status. The rule was reported in May 2026, citing Okaz and Saudi Gazette. What it means for … Read more
From 1 Rabi al-Awwal (mid-August 2026), a mandatory Nusuk food voucher of about SAR 20 per pilgrim per day is automatically added to the Umrah visa cost for pilgrims from Pakistan, India, Egypt and Bangladesh. Each pilgrim gets a unique code linked to their visa, redeemable at around 10,000 restaurants in Makkah and Madinah registered … Read more
