Saudi Arabia: Labour Market Testing Period Significantly Extended
Type
E-journal
Date
18 Jan 2017
Jurisdiction
Saudi Arabia
Taxonomy
General Employment & Labour Law
Copyright
LexisNexis
Relevant company
Fragomen Middle East
Analysis
The Labour and Social Development has announced that with immediate effect, all job posts advertised by employers on the Taqat portal must remain available for at least 45 days, unless a suitable candidate has been identified earlier.
Previously they only had to be up for 14 days.
The extension of the labour market verification period is aimed at increasing the chances of finding an appropriate Saudi candidate.
Background
Employers must create a job opening which is accessible to Saudi nationals before authorities can adjudicate the block visa request for foreign nationals' work authorisation process.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Employers in the private sector must ensure they account for additional time to complete labour market testing before their block visa application is adjudicated by the Saudi Arabian Authorities.