Key Immigration Updates for Saudi Arabia and the UAE

Saudi Arabia

Work Permit Regularisation – Grace Period Extended

The Saudi authorities have taken steps to extend the grace period for employers to regularise the status of foreign workers.  Extending the grace  period to 31^st December 2026, to provide organisations with the additional time to resolve outstanding compliance matters before penalties may apply.

The extension of the grace period applies to employers who need  to regularise the status of foreign workers whose permits expired more than 12 months ago or where  work permits were  not issued within six months of the individual joining the employing establishment.

United Arab Emirates

Expanded Visa-on-Arrival Eligibility

A number of eligible travellers may obtain a visa on arrival for tourism or non-revenue generating business visits for up to 60 days, subject to meeting the applicable entry requirements.

The UAE government has expanded the visa  on arrival eligibility for nationals of:

• Indonesia
• Kenya
• Philippines
• South Africa
• Thailand
• Vietnam

The condition is that these nationals hold valid residence permits issued by Australia, Canada, any EU state, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom or the United States.

Transition to Digital MOFA Attestations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has completed the transition from physical attestation stamps to a fully digital attestation process.

Documents attested by the relevant UAE Embassy or Consulate abroad will no longer require a separate physical MOFA attestation within the UAE, helping to simplify and streamline the document legalisation process.  Please note acceptance procedures may vary while authorities finalise the new process.

DIFC Introduces Out of Country Visa Cancellations

With immediate effect, DIFC sponsored residence visas can now be cancelled.

while the visa holder is outside the UAE, without requiring the original passport or a period of six months outside the country.  This change is likely to be a great logistical advantage to employers who were faced with monitoring the exact periods outside of the country in order to be able to complete cancellation processes.

Employers must upload a signed confirmation confirming that all applicable end of service benefits have been settled.  Overall the process now provides greater flexibility for managing employee departures.

For assistance with immigration matters in the Middle East please contact: [email protected] and [email protected]

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