The validity of employment visas issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development for private sector companies has been reduced from two years to one year.
The decision was in line with Article 11 of the Labor Law, which empowers the minister to take procedures that are deemed necessary to improve efficiency within the employment market.
The changes, however, will not apply to visas issued for government services as well as for domestic workers, according to an order issued by Minister of Labor and Social Development Dr. Ali Al-Ghafis.
The ministry has started implementing the decision of the minister, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
On Sunday, the minister issued another order allowing foreign mothers of Saudis as well as non-Saudi children of Saudi women to work in those professions which are restricted only to Saudi nationals.
Employing anyone in this category will be counted as one Saudi employee while calculating the percentage of Nitaqat Saudization program.
Both Saudis and expatriates welcomed the decision.
