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
Under the Interior Ministry’s ‘No Hajj without a permit’ campaign, entry to Makkah was restricted from 13 April 2026 to Hajj-permit holders, Makkah-issued iqama holders, and holy-site work-permit holders; checkpoints turned others back. Umrah pilgrims had to exit by 18 April 2026, and from 18 April only Hajj-visa holders could enter or stay in Makkah. … Read more
Ministry of Interior joint inspections in Saudi Arabia arrested 13,628 people in the week of 17–23 September 2026 (6,593 residency, 3,531 border-security, 3,504 labour violations); 12,628 were deported and 18,549 referred to embassies for travel documents. In the first week of October 2026, more than 10,000 were deported and around 14,000 arrested. Facilitating illegal residency … Read more
Under Ministerial Decision No. 50 of 2026 (8 September 2026), monthly-paid staff in Qatar have wages due on the 1st of each month, and payment must be made through the Wage Protection System within 7 days. What it means for you: this gives workers a concrete date to judge late payment by — if salary … Read more
Saudi Arabia’s profession-specific Saudization quotas apply on top of the Nitaqat band. 69 administrative support roles (HR, recruitment, reception) are set at 100%, with inspections begun on 4 October 2026. Further deadlines: accounting at 50% (firms with 5 or more accountants) on 27 October 2026; gym roles at 15% on 18 November 2026; project management … Read more
Qiwa has clarified (reported 1 October 2026) that expat workers whose status changed to ‘absent’ — after an absence report, a work-interruption report, or a contract termination — can transfer to a new employer, provided they have spent over 12 months in Saudi Arabia. The new employer must settle outstanding work-permit fees. What it means … Read more
From 11 October 2026, for two months (to about 10–11 December 2026), on King Salman’s directive, the Interior Ministry and Passports Directorate are regularising Yemenis staying illegally in the Kingdom, through 23 centres nationwide, open 60 days. Who qualifies and how: no documents — free six-month visit visa via Absher appointment; expired visit visa or … Read more
Viral claim: Saudi Arabia suspended ‘block work visas’ for 14 countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Iraq, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Libya, Kenya, Turkey — the viral list varies). India’s Ministry of External Affairs fact-check unit stated the claim is FALSE: ‘The Saudi Government has not issued any notification on this matter.’ What actually … Read more
EASA has two active Conflict Zone Information Bulletins — CZIB-2026-07R3 (Gulf waters: Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha, Emirates FIRs) and CZIB-2026-09-R1 (Saudi/Jeddah FIR) — both valid to 16 November 2026. US missions in 12 West Asia locations issued alerts on 18 October 2026 warning of possible flight cancellations and airspace closures. Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport reopened on … Read more
Under LMRA Decision No. 2 of 2026 (announced 28 September 2026), a foreign worker in Bahrain may temporarily work for another employer for up to 3 months without transferring the primary work permit. It requires the worker’s written consent, both employers’ agreement, and LMRA approval. Domestic workers are excluded. What it means for you: this … Read more
