Saudi Arabia Makes Health Insurance Mandatory for Temporary Work Visas, Boosting Workforce and Tourism Appeal
Employers must now secure approved health cover for foreign workers before visa issuance, aligning with global labor-and-tourism standards
Saudi Arabia has introduced a new regulation requiring employers to purchase health insurance for foreign nationals applying for temporary work visas—before the visa is issued, according to the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance.
Previously, coverage could be arranged after the visa approval.
The move marks a shift in policy aimed at strengthening worker welfare and aligning the Kingdom with international labour standards.
Under the updated rule—effective from late October 2025—employers must secure a policy from a CCHI-approved provider, link the insurance to the employee’s passport number and employment contract, and submit documentation to the regulator prior to visa issuance.
The change is expected to create greater certainty around healthcare access for foreign workers and reduce potential burden on the public health system.
The requirement mirrors similar frameworks in countries such as Canada, Germany, South Korea and the United States, where foreign workers must demonstrate health-insurance coverage before entering or working in the country.
Saudi officials say the reform also supports their tourism and hospitality agenda by signalling that the labour environment is regulated, inclusive and safe for international talent.
Employer groups in Saudi Arabia are evaluating the practical implications of the rule.
Some note that integrating health-insurance procurement into the visa-sponsorship process will add administrative steps, but they welcome the clarity the regulation provides.
The government has emphasised that the change is part of its broader workforce reform and economic-diversification agenda under Vision 2030, which aims to enhance attractiveness for global workers and travellers alike.
By embedding health-insurance obligations in the temporary-work-visa process, Saudi Arabia is thereby reinforcing its role as a competitive destination for foreign talent, while enhancing the overall stability of its labour and tourism sectors.
Previously, coverage could be arranged after the visa approval.
The move marks a shift in policy aimed at strengthening worker welfare and aligning the Kingdom with international labour standards.
Under the updated rule—effective from late October 2025—employers must secure a policy from a CCHI-approved provider, link the insurance to the employee’s passport number and employment contract, and submit documentation to the regulator prior to visa issuance.
The change is expected to create greater certainty around healthcare access for foreign workers and reduce potential burden on the public health system.
The requirement mirrors similar frameworks in countries such as Canada, Germany, South Korea and the United States, where foreign workers must demonstrate health-insurance coverage before entering or working in the country.
Saudi officials say the reform also supports their tourism and hospitality agenda by signalling that the labour environment is regulated, inclusive and safe for international talent.
Employer groups in Saudi Arabia are evaluating the practical implications of the rule.
Some note that integrating health-insurance procurement into the visa-sponsorship process will add administrative steps, but they welcome the clarity the regulation provides.
The government has emphasised that the change is part of its broader workforce reform and economic-diversification agenda under Vision 2030, which aims to enhance attractiveness for global workers and travellers alike.
By embedding health-insurance obligations in the temporary-work-visa process, Saudi Arabia is thereby reinforcing its role as a competitive destination for foreign talent, while enhancing the overall stability of its labour and tourism sectors.
