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Saudi Arabia has updated its Temporary Work Visa regulations — now requiring all applicants to secure health insurance before visa issuance. This change aims to enhance worker protection, ensure compliance, and streamline the verification process.
What Has Changed
Health insurance must now be:
Purchased before visa approval through the employer’s CCHI-approved provider (Council of Cooperative Health Insurance).
Linked directly to the applicant’s passport and temporary employment contract in the CCHI system.
Previously, insurance could be arranged after the visa was issued, and from any Enjaz-listed provider. The new system ensures consistency, data accuracy, and full compliance.
Purpose Behind the Regulatory Shift
In practical terms, the new regulation delivers:
Comprehensive Employee Coverage: Workers are now insured before arrival, ensuring immediate access to healthcare upon entry.
Improved Data Integrity: Linking insurance details directly to the individual’s passport and employment contract strengthens verification and reduces administrative discrepancies.
Enhanced Oversight: The Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI) can effectively monitor active policies and enforce compliance across all employers and sponsors.
Defined Employer Obligations: Sponsors must now procure coverage exclusively through CCHI-accredited providers, ensuring consistency and legal alignment.
This adjustment reflects Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment to a transparent, sustainable, and globally competitive employment environment — one that safeguards both investors and the workforce.
What It Means for Applicants and Employers
For applicants, compliant health insurance must now be arranged prior to visa stamping, as incomplete or inaccurate coverage may delay approval.
For employers and sponsors, partnering with CCHI-approved insurers ensures full regulatory compliance, efficient processing, and protection for all parties involved.
This policy evolution underscores the Kingdom’s broader objective: to build a secure, efficient, and responsible ecosystem for temporary workers and their sponsoring entities.
How Saudi Visa Agency Can Help Stay Compliant
At Saudi Visa Agency, each Temporary Work Visa application is reviewed to ensure compliance with the latest CCHI and MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) requirements.
Our team assists employers and applicants with:
Selecting a CCHI-approved health insurance provider
Linking insurance records with MOFA authorization
Preparing compliant visa documentation for embassy submission
