Saudi Arabia – Skilled Workers Now Eligible to Relocate to the Kingdom with Dependents; Increased Salary Requirement to Meet Saudization Rates 

All November Global Immigration Updates:

• UK – Home Office Rolls Out Mandatory Multi-Factor Authentication for SMS Users and Sets Deadline to Prevent Account Deactivation
• Canada – Recent Changes to Express Entry CRS and OINP Award Additional Points to Eligible Foreign Nationals 
• Spain – Pilot Program Automatically Assigns Fingerprinting Appointments for Select TIE Card Applicants 
• Saudi Arabia – Skilled Workers Now Eligible to Relocate to the Kingdom with Dependents; Increased Salary Requirement to Meet Saudization Rates 
• France – Standardized Issuance of 12-month Talent Visas Across Jurisdictions
• Germany – Temporary Residence Measures for Eligible Ukrainian Nationals Extended
• Japan – Revised Eligibility Criteria for Permanent Residence to Take Effect in April 2027
• Vietnam – Decree 393 Introduces New Pathways and Requirements for Foreign Talent and Employers

Skilled Workers Now Eligible to Relocate to the Kingdom with Dependents 

As part of its commitment to improving the quality of life for all residents, the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Interior has announced that skilled workers may now bring their family members with them to the Kingdom.  

Eligible dependent family members include spouses, sons under the age of 25, and unmarried daughters. Residence authorization applications for accompanying family members can be filed concurrently with the main applicant’s skilled work visa application, with formalities to be completed after arrival, in accordance with local laws. 

Increased Salary Requirement to Meet Saudization Rates  

In other news, the government has announced that it will be increasing the minimum salary required for Saudi nationals to be considered as full Saudi employees under the Nitaqat Saudization program.  

The new salary requirement will be rolled out in two phases with the first increase to a minimum of SAR 5,000 per month taking effect on April 25, 2027. The minimum monthly salary will subsequently be raised to SAR 6,000 a year later, on April 25, 2028. Employers should plan accordingly for this increase to ensure continued compliance with Saudization requirements across their workforce.