Saudi Arabia has put a temporary stop to giving out blockwork visa quotas to workers from Nigeria and six other African nations. This move is expected to last until the end of June 2025.

The African countries affected by this suspension are Egypt, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, and Morocco.

The announcement came from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

This new policy will impact both fresh applications and those that have already been submitted for temporary work visas.

Altogether, 14 countries are included in the suspension. Along with the African countries, others affected are Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Blockwork visas are used by Saudi employers to bring in a specific number of foreign workers under a set quota.

Once a company’s quota is approved, it can apply for work visas for certain people it wants to hire.

The suspension will continue until the end of June 2025, which matches the end of the Hajj pilgrimage season.

Although Saudi Arabia hasn’t given an official reason, this change appears to be part of a plan to increase jobs for Saudi citizens. The government is pushing for more local hiring, especially in sectors like tourism, with more rules expected between 2026 and 2028.

During this time, employers in Saudi Arabia won’t be able to get new blockwork visa quotas for workers from the listed African countries. Also, previously approved quotas may face delays in processing.