In a move aimed at overhauling its labor market regulations, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended the issuance of new block work visa quotas for nationals from 14 countries — including Nigeria.
The affected countries are: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.
According to sources within Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the suspension is part of a broader policy review to regulate the inflow of migrant workers, streamline labor demand, and prioritize the employment of local Saudi citizens in line with Vision 2030 goals.
Block visas, which are typically issued to companies in bulk for recruiting foreign workers in various sectors such as construction, domestic services, and manufacturing, will no longer be processed for applicants from the listed countries for the time being.
While Saudi authorities have not provided a specific end date for the suspension, it is understood that the decision is not a blanket ban but a temporary halt to allow a review of existing labor needs and compliance levels from employers and recruitment agents.
For Nigeria, this development may affect several recruitment pipelines and foreign employment opportunities for citizens who typically travel to the Kingdom for work, especially in low-skilled labor sectors.
The Nigerian government, through its Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), is expected to engage with Saudi authorities to seek clarity and ensure that the rights and interests of Nigerian citizens working or planning to work in the Kingdom are protected.
This development also places a spotlight on the importance of bilateral labor agreements and ethical recruitment practices in international labor migration.
