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Reopening of Syrian Work Visas in Saudi Arabia

Published

4 weeks ago

24th July 2026

Huda Az

A flurry of comments and enquiries has resulted from social media activists discussing the potential reintroduction of Syrian work visas.

Social media activists have been spreading information regarding the possible restoration of Saudi work visas for Syrians during the last few days. This information immediately generated a flurry of responses and enquiries, leading to more extensive conversations about the potential for Syrians to obtain Saudi Arabian work visas. Regarding the accuracy of these reports and the scope of their use, there is a great deal of expectation.

Syrians’ Saudi Work Visas Are Back in Effect!

There has been no formal statement from Saudi Arabia, despite media reports and professional opinions pointing to signs that could lead to the impending opening of Syrian visas to Saudi Arabia. Regarding the inclusion of Syrian nationality among the alternatives on the Saudi “Qiwa” platform, the issue has remained limited to technical observations made by individuals working in visa-related matters. It is crucial to remember that official statements usually do not accompany such developments.

With experts discussing the expected return of Saudi work visas for Syrians, it’s critical to understand the various types of Saudi visas and their procedures. As a result, resuming the issuance of a certain visa type does not imply that all visas will be accessible, particularly because individuals with postgraduate degrees and expertise are at the centre of the present negotiations.

Postgraduate Studies’ Importance

The “Qiwa” platform has reportedly added Syrian nationality to its list of options, according to several activists and specialised blogs. Instructions and guidelines for applying for work visas, including the necessary educational qualifications, have started to be published by these platforms, including those that specialise in visas. These guidelines are mostly focused on postgraduate studies, especially in the medical and educational professions.

The Kashaf website, which cites reliable sources, claims that work visas for Syrians would soon be issued again. It is common knowledge that the Saudi Arabian employer is the first to apply for a work visa. Following approval, the establishment completes the travel requirements and visa issuance processes after submitting a request to bring in the employee through the authorised systems.

Therefore, the current news focuses on the prospect of resuming Saudi work visas for Syrians only. However, this does not rule out the possibility of subsequently expanding to other types of visas, such as Umrah or tourist visas, which we will talk about in the paragraphs that follow. Political changes and ties between the two countries may have a major impact on the visa process and its potential return to its previous status.

Saudi Arabian Visa Types

In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there are various kinds of visas, each with a distinct purpose and set of paperwork and requirements. Among the most well-known are:

Work visa: Issued to bring workers into Saudi Arabia for either temporary or permanent employment.
Investor visa: For entrepreneurs to complete business transactions and undertakings.
Hajj and Umrah visas.
Visit visas: There are two categories: Visits from family and business.
Tourist visa: Has unique requirements.

The Prerequisites for Acquiring a Work Visa Are as Follows:

A passport with blank pages for the visa that is valid for the full anticipated stay.
A recent personal photo that satisfies the requirements for a passport photo.
A filled-out application for a work visa.
Proof of payment for the visa.
An official medical report.
A properly certified employment contract and letter of employment from the Saudi employer.
A recognised educational qualification certificate.
A security report attesting to a spotless criminal history.

Previous and Limited Experience: In 2016, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia introduced a temporary work permit service for Syrians through the “Ajeer” electronic system. At the time, it announced the issuance of 847 temporary work visas to Syrians. This stage served as a legal document, allowing Syrian visitors to work for employers who profit from their services for six months without shifting sponsorship.

According to a recent report, an estimated 2.5–3 million Syrians are living and working in Saudi Arabia. Consequently, the Kingdom is among the biggest host nations for Syrians living abroad. There are currently no precise figures on the number of employees alone. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development reports that there are currently about 12.6 million workers in the Saudi labour market, including about 10.1 million non-Saudi workers.

In light of the aforementioned, we may conclude that the allegations about Saudi Arabia issuing work visas to Syrians again are based only on news and reporting. As of the time of writing, there was no formal notification or declaration confirming this avenue’s inauguration.