Pakistani workers planning to travel to Saudi Arabia on a work visa must now complete a mandatory process to secure work visa protection from the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment. This safeguard ensures workers benefit from life insurance coverage, legal assistance, and support from Pakistani diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia.
For those securing jobs through Overseas Employment Promoters, the total cost of the protection fee is Rs22,200, alongside an additional processing fee of Rs6,000. On the other hand, individuals who have directly arranged their employment pay a reduced fee of Rs9,200, covering essential contributions like registration and insurance premiums.
This protection offers a vital safety net, ensuring workers have access to legal aid through Community Welfare Attachés and life insurance worth up to Rs1 million.
Recently, Saudi Arabia introduced extended seasonal work visas for Hajj workers, allowing a stay of up to 180 days. The new measures aim to streamline the employment process for millions of pilgrims and workers during the peak season.
To curb illegal activities, stricter penalties have been imposed for unauthorised visa sales, with violators facing fines of up to 50,000 riyals and blacklisting for Hajj and Umrah services for five years.
The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources has also rolled out temporary labour visa regulations, offering greater flexibility for private sector businesses to meet their workforce needs. These updates signal Saudi Arabia’s commitment to improving the labour market while enhancing worker protections.
