Visa Operations

Block Visa Application in Saudi Arabia (2026)

The block visa is the gateway to all foreign hiring. Without it, no individual work visa can be issued. Approval depends on the employer's Saudization band, sector quota allocation and current workforce composition under Nitaqat.

What is block visa in Saudi Arabia? A block visa is a pre-approved work visa quota issued by MHRSD to a Saudi employer, defining how many foreign workers of which nationalities and professions the employer can hire.

Block Visa — operational guide

A block visa is a pre-approved work visa quota issued by MHRSD to a Saudi employer, defining how many foreign workers of which nationalities and professions the employer can hire.

The block visa is the gateway to all foreign hiring. Without it, no individual work visa can be issued. Approval depends on the employer's Saudization band, sector quota allocation and current workforce composition under Nitaqat.

Tamra runs block visa as a managed step inside every visa case — including portal interactions and direct embassy/MOFA liaison where required.

Key facts

StepBlock Visa
CostSAR 2,000 per block visa quota slot (paid via SADAD). Saudization-band-driven multipliers apply.
Timeline5–15 working days from Qiwa submission to MOL approval, depending on the employer's compliance status.
AuthorityMHRSD / MOFA / Saudi Embassy

Process — step by step

5–15 working days from Qiwa submission to MOL approval, depending on the employer's compliance status.

  1. Qiwa eligibility check. Verify the employer is in Green or Platinum Nitaqat band, GOSI is current, and there are no MOL violations.
  2. Block visa request. Submit the block-visa request via Qiwa, specifying nationalities, professions and quantities.
  3. MHRSD review. MHRSD reviews against the employer's Nitaqat band and sector quota. Approval or amendment is returned via Qiwa.
  4. Fee payment. Pay the block-visa fee via SADAD (SAR 2,000/slot). Higher Saudization-band employers get priority allocation and lower fees.
  5. MOFA enabling. Approved block visas are released to MOFA for individual visa issuance per worker.

Documents required

  • Active commercial registration (CR)
  • Active MISA licence (for foreign-investor entities)
  • Active GOSI registration with no arrears
  • Current Nitaqat / Saudization compliance report
  • Job descriptions matching MOL professional codes

Common mistakes

  • Applying while in Red or Low-Green Nitaqat — auto-rejection
  • Requesting nationalities or professions outside the employer's sector allocation
  • Forgetting to pre-pay GOSI arrears before submission
  • Mismatching offered job titles with MOL classifications — causes delays at individual visa stage

Frequently asked questions

How many block visa slots can a company get?

It depends on the Nitaqat band, sector and existing workforce. Platinum-band companies typically get unlimited; Green companies are quota-restricted; Red companies cannot apply.

Can Tamra obtain block visas for clients?

Yes. As an EOR, Tamra holds its own large block-visa allocation, so clients hiring through Tamra typically bypass the multi-week MHRSD approval entirely.

Does Tamra handle this step end-to-end?

Yes. Tamra manages this as part of the standard visa case — portal submissions, fee payments, embassy liaison and post-step compliance.

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