Saudi Arabia’s labor authorities have announced that agencies involved in providing services for the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage can obtain temporary work permits for both foreign and Saudi employees to meet the demands of the Hajj season.
These permits can be obtained through Ajeer, an online portal managed by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development that handles temporary work permits for foreign nationals in the country.
The aim is to utilize the local job market and manpower in Saudi Arabia instead of relying on recruiting workers from abroad. The establishments eligible to apply for Hajj work permits include those responsible for domestic pilgrims, approved non-governmental groups, and workplaces operating in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, as well as the port city of Jeddah.
The rules state that Saudi job seekers must be at least 18 years old, while expatriates should already be employed in the kingdom and obtain approval from their original employer to work temporarily during the Hajj season. Hajj, one of the five obligatory duties in Islam, is scheduled for late June this year.
