Saudi Arabia – Labor Market Search Required for Block Visas
August 12, 2016
Employers intending to hire foreign nationals must now perform a labor market search to show an attempt to hire local candidates was unsuccessful before they can apply for block visas. In an effort to localize the workforce, Saudi Arabia launched Taqat, a national labor database and central portal for labor related activities. Employers must keep records of the job advertisements and of applicants that were considered but not hired.
A duration for the job advertisement has not been set by the authorities yet. Employers should keep in mind the longer processing times now for block visas due to the labor market search requirement.