If you had any plans to work in Saudi Arabia on a temporary work visa, here is an important update you should be aware of. The country has just changed several rules regarding health insurance for temporary work visa applicants.

These changes are aimed at ensuring better medical coverage and stricter compliance for all foreign workers entering the Kingdom.

Understanding Temporary Work Visa

Launched in March 2021, the Saudi Temporary Work Visa is valid for up to 180 days and is best suited for short-term work projects. This visa allows multiple entries and permits a one-time extension for another 180 days.

It’s important to note that the Temporary Work Visa does not lead to a residence permit (Iqama), and a local employer must apply on your behalf.

New Health Insurance Rules

With the new visa rules in place, any employer applying for the temporary work visa must obtain a health insurance policy for the applicant in advance. Earlier, employers were allowed to get the health insurance after the issuance of the temporary work visa.

Only CCHI-Approved Health Insurance Accepted

Another big update is that the visa-sponsoring entity must now provide health insurance from its registered health insurance provider. This provider must also be approved by the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI), which is the health insurance regulatory body in Saudi Arabia. Previously, health insurance from any provider on Enjaz was sufficient.

Linking Health Insurance to Passport Records

In addition to the previous requirements, the health insurance provider must now give a copy of the insured person’s passport and temporary employment contract to CCHI. This ensures the insurance policy is linked to the person’s passport record in the CCHI system. Previously, this was not necessary.

What This Means for Employers

Saudi employers sponsoring foreign workers will now face tighter compliance requirements when arranging health insurance. Here’s what they need to know:

• Must purchase health insurance only from CCHI-approved providers.
• Required to submit the employee’s passport copy and temporary contract to the insurer.
• Insurance policies must now be linked directly to the employee’s CCHI record.
• Not following this could cause delays in visa processing or result in policy rejection.

Final Thoughts

These changes show Saudi Arabia’s push for tighter rules on temporary worker benefits. Employers need to act fast to meet the new CCHI regulations and prevent visa delays or compliance problems.