Saudi Explores New 'Professional Visa' for Specific Professions

Five Saudi government agencies are considering forming a group to study the creation of  a new "professional residence visa" for specific professions based on the needs of the labor market in the country, in order to contribute to reducing the phenomenon of "commercial concealment".

According to the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers, a concealment means an agreement or arrangement through which a person enables a non-Saudi person to engage in an economic activity in the Kingdom that he is not authorized to practice using the license or approval issued to the concealer.

The committee will study the appropriateness of establishing a Saudi company or companies specialized in "providing seasonal employment," according to what was reported by the "News 24" website, according to a report by the Saudi Ministry of Commerce.

The committee will work to define the conditions and requirements for obtaining residency, determine the time periods for residency and its fees, and develop a mechanism and determine the appropriate electronic platform for issuing residencies.

The committee shall submit the results to the competent authorities in accordance with the applicable regular procedures within 90 days to consider the appropriate "development and approval".