With no official announcement, Saudi consular authorities have recently begun issuing Work Visit and Commercial Visit Visas in a new format, which includes the phrase “not permitted to work” or similar wording. This has caused visa holders to question whether the rules regarding permissible work activities on Work Visit and Commercial Visit visas changed.
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Saudi Arabia is still issuing Work Visit and Commercial Visit letters of invitation to host companies. Moreover, Saudi consular officials have confirmed that the new visa format does not affect the work activities permitted for Work Visit Visa holders and that the phrase in question only indicates that this type of visa is not intended for resident foreign workers with a long-term employment contract with a Saudi employer.
[UPDATE 19 November 2019]
Wolfsdorf Rosenthal understands from various sources that, once applicants issued with a Work Visit Visa invitation letter and a new-format Business Visa have arrived in Saudi Arabia, the applicant or the employer’s Government Relations Officer (GRO) can visit the immigration office to request a temporary work authorization. The applicant must submit a copy of their passport (with visa page and border entry number), letter of invitation and a letter of application, and pay an online fee.
However, there is no official confirmation from the authorities that this is the correct way to proceed.
Wolfsdorf Rosenthal will continue to monitor the situation and will update this post with further information, clarification, and guidance as we receive it from Saudi consulates.
Our Advice
Employers who may be affected are encouraged to contact a Wolfsdorf Rosenthal immigration attorney or email Global@Wolfsdorf.com for case specific advice
