JEDDAH: The Qiwa platform, operating under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, has announced new guidelines limiting newly established businesses that are less than two years old to a maximum of five instant visas.

According to the platform, businesses that have been operating for more than two years can obtain up to 50 instant visas. These visas may be requested through a single application or multiple applications submitted within the same week at the entity level.

Qiwa also explained that establishments participating in the establishment program and meeting the required conditions will initially receive two visas. Additional visas may be granted if the business achieves a higher Saudization rate.

The platform outlined several requirements that companies must meet before recruiting non-Saudi workers from outside the Kingdom. These include maintaining active business status, ensuring valid work permits for employees, holding a valid commercial registration where applicable, and meeting the required Saudization classification of Medium Green or higher.

Additional requirements include compliance with the Wage Protection System, maintaining sufficient financial balances on Ministry of Interior platforms such as Absher or Muqeem, completing annual self-assessment obligations for businesses with 10 or more employees, assigning employee work locations through Qiwa, and ensuring the employer is at least 18 years old. Companies must also have an available recruitment quota based on the type of visa requested.

Qiwa further clarified that employers can apply for three categories of work visas. Permanent work visas are intended for non-Saudi employees hired under long-term contracts. Temporary work visas are issued for short-term employment of up to three months. The third category consists of temporary Hajj and Umrah work visas, which are designated for seasonal workers and require approval from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.