Saudi Arabia tightens work visa rules for Indian workers
New Delhi: From January 14, Indian workers applying for Saudi Arabia work visas will need to complete a mandatory pre-verification of their professional and academic qualifications.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Indians constitute the second-largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia, with over 2.4 million residents, following Bangladesh.
This move, proposed six months ago, aims to limit the influx of Indian workers due to the scarcity of qualified training centres, ensuring stricter quality control. The reforms align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to make the labour sector more flexible for expatriates while enforcing stricter certification requirements for specific job roles.
A circular issued by the Saudi mission in India, accessed by The New Indian Express, confirmed the implementation of professional verification procedures as a prerequisite for issuing work visas.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia has updated rules concerning residency permits (Iqama) and exit/re-entry visas. The General Directorate of Passports announced on X that expats outside the kingdom can now renew Iqamas and extend the duration of single or multiple exit/re-entry visas. Dependents and domestic workers located abroad are also eligible for these renewals and extensions.
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Man killed in flat ceiling plaster crash, wife and son hurt
Thane (PTI): A 45-year-old man was killed, and his wife and son were injured when a portion of plaster from the ceiling collapsed in their flat in a seven-storey building in Thane on Saturday, officials said.
Chief of the Regional Disaster Management Cell, Yasin Tadvi, said the 16-year-old building is not listed in the "dangerous" category.
"The incident occurred in Karumdev Society at about 3 am. The plaster of the hall in a flat on the terrace floor suddenly fell while the occupants were asleep", he said.
Of the four people who were inside the room, two suffered minor injuries and were discharged after primary treatment, Tadvi stated.
The injured persons were identified as Arpita More (42), who suffered minor head injuries, and her son Arush More (16), who sustained injuries to both legs.
Manoj More (45), who sustained chest injuries, died during treatment at a private hospital.
