India unites Bangladesh, Philippines, Indonesia, and Egypt to be among the Most Affected Countries by the Explosive Health Insurance Law by Saudi Arabia: Are You Ready for the Impact?

Published on November 4, 2025

Saudi Arabia has just introduced a groundbreaking health insurance law that is set to shake up the process for temporary work visas. This law unites several countries, including India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Indonesia, and Egypt, which are now among the most affected nations by this explosive change. These countries send a massive number of temporary workers to the Kingdom, and this new rule could significantly impact their visa processing. India leads the charge, but all affected nations must act fast to ensure compliance and avoid delays. Workers from these countries will now face new hurdles in securing the proper health insurance before applying for their temporary work visas. This move is part of Saudi Arabia’s drive for stricter regulations, but the question remains: Are you ready for the impact of these sweeping changes? The clock is ticking.

What’s New in the Temporary Work Visa Health Insurance Rule?

Saudi Arabia has always required health insurance for foreign workers, but the rules are now much stricter. The country recently changed the process for issuing temporary work visas. Employers must now secure health insurance for workers before applying for the visa. Previously, health insurance could be arranged after the visa was issued. But that’s no longer the case.

Under the new rules, employers must choose a health insurance provider that is approved by the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI), the official health insurance regulatory body in Saudi Arabia. This is a big change from before when any health insurance provider listed on Enjaz (an official platform) was acceptable.

But the changes don’t stop there. Now, the health insurance provider must link the policy to the worker’s passport records. This means employers must submit the worker’s passport and temporary employment contract to CCHI, which must then be linked to the worker’s health insurance policy.

These changes are designed to make the process more efficient and ensure workers get proper medical coverage before arriving in Saudi Arabia. However, these new rules could cause delays for employers who fail to comply or are unfamiliar with the new system.

Why Is This Rule Important?

Temporary workers make up a large portion of the workforce in Saudi Arabia, especially in industries like construction, hospitality, and retail. Saudi Arabia is known for attracting a large number of foreign workers due to its booming economy and demand for skilled and unskilled labour. Workers on temporary work visas are usually employed for short-term projects, lasting up to 180 days, with a possibility of a one-time extension.

For these workers, having access to proper health insurance is crucial. The new rule ensures that foreign workers have health coverage as soon as they arrive in Saudi Arabia. This is important because medical costs can be high in the Kingdom, and workers who are injured or fall ill may struggle without proper insurance.

For employers, the new rule presents both challenges and opportunities. While they must now comply with stricter regulations, this also ensures that workers are protected. If workers have health insurance linked to their passport records from the start, it could reduce the risk of disputes and delays later.

Which Countries Will Be Most Affected?

The new health insurance rule will impact many countries, especially those that send large numbers of workers to Saudi Arabia. Countries with high numbers of temporary workers in the Kingdom are likely to feel the effect most. Let’s explore which countries are most affected and why.

India: The Largest Source of Temporary Workers

India is by far the largest source of foreign workers in Saudi Arabia. According to data from 2022, more than 1.4 million Indian nationals are employed in the private sector in Saudi Arabia. This number is huge, and it represents a significant portion of the workforce. Many of these workers come to Saudi Arabia on temporary work visas for short-term projects.

The new health insurance rule will create additional hurdles for Indian workers and their employers. Indian workers will need to ensure that their employers secure health insurance from CCHI-approved providers before applying for their visas. This extra step could cause delays in the visa process, especially for workers who are not familiar with the new requirements.

For Indian employers who sponsor workers, the new rule adds an extra layer of responsibility. They must ensure that insurance is in place and properly linked to each worker’s passport record. This could increase administrative costs and lead to longer processing times.

Bangladesh: A Significant Source of Workers

Bangladesh is another country that sends large numbers of workers to Saudi Arabia. Although exact numbers are harder to determine, estimates suggest that over 2 million Bangladeshis are employed in Saudi Arabia, with many of them on temporary work visas.

The new insurance requirements will significantly affect Bangladesh, as the country’s workers are often employed in construction, domestic work, and other sectors that rely heavily on temporary workers. The added burden of ensuring that insurance policies are approved and linked to passport records could slow down the deployment of workers from Bangladesh.

Philippines: A Major Contributor to the Workforce

The Philippines is another country with a large number of nationals working in Saudi Arabia. Although official figures for Filipino workers are not readily available, it is well known that the Philippines is a major source of migrant labour to the Kingdom.

Many Filipino workers come to Saudi Arabia on temporary work visas for short-term employment in sectors like healthcare, hospitality, and construction. The new rule will require Filipino workers and their employers to adjust to the new health insurance process. This means that both the workers and employers must be proactive in securing the right insurance and submitting the necessary documents to ensure smooth visa processing.

Indonesia: Smaller Numbers but Still Affected

While the number of Indonesian workers in Saudi Arabia is smaller compared to India or Bangladesh, it’s still significant. Official estimates place the number of Indonesians working in Saudi Arabia at around 76,901 in 2022, most of whom are employed in domestic work and services.

For Indonesian workers, the new insurance rule might be a bit of an inconvenience. The number of workers affected may be smaller, but the administrative burden of securing the right insurance provider and linking the policy to passport records will still be felt. This could cause delays in the visa process for Indonesian workers who are unaware of the new rules or who face difficulty complying with the requirements.

Egypt and North Africa: A Growing Concern

Egypt is another country that contributes a significant number of temporary workers to Saudi Arabia. In 2022, more than 837,000 Egyptians were employed in the private sector in Saudi Arabia. Many of these workers come on temporary work visas, and the new health insurance rule will have a noticeable impact on this group.

North African countries like Egypt often have workers in various sectors, including hospitality and retail. These workers may face delays or extra costs due to the new health insurance requirements. The burden of ensuring compliance with the new rules will fall on both employers and workers, and it could create challenges for recruitment agencies in Egypt.

Why Are These Countries Affected More Than Others?

The main reason why these countries are most affected by the new rule is that they send the largest number of foreign workers to Saudi Arabia. These workers are often employed in temporary positions that last for a few months or a year. Because temporary work visas are typically tied to specific projects or time frames, these workers often don’t stay long enough to qualify for long-term residency permits.

Moreover, many of these workers come from countries with less-developed social safety nets, so securing health insurance is even more critical. The new rule will ensure that workers are covered by insurance before they even set foot in Saudi Arabia, which is a positive change for worker welfare. However, it also adds extra steps to the process, which could slow down the visa issuance process.

What Does This Mean for Employers and Workers?

For employers, the new rule means they need to be more proactive in securing health insurance for their employees. This could mean additional administrative work and potential delays in visa processing if they fail to comply with the new regulations. Employers must choose CCHI-approved providers and submit the necessary documents to ensure that the health insurance is linked to the worker’s passport records.

For workers, the new rule could mean delays in the visa process if their employers don’t have everything in place. Workers might face longer waiting times before they can travel to Saudi Arabia, and in some cases, they may even have to wait for the necessary insurance to be arranged.

What’s Next?

The introduction of stricter health insurance rules for temporary workers is part of Saudi Arabia’s push to improve the welfare of foreign workers and ensure compliance with health standards. While the new rules may create some challenges for employers and workers, they also help to ensure that workers are properly covered and protected while working in Saudi Arabia.

Employers and workers alike must stay informed about these changes to avoid delays or complications. It’s crucial to comply with the new regulations to avoid any problems with the visa process and to ensure that workers are properly protected in case of illness or injury.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Employers and Workers

Saudi Arabia’s new health insurance rules for temporary work visas may be a challenge for both employers and workers, especially those from countries with large numbers of foreign workers. India, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Egypt are among the countries most affected by these changes. However, these rules are an important step towards ensuring better health protection for foreign workers and improving the overall efficiency of the visa process.

Workers should make sure that their employers are aware of the new requirements and that their health insurance policies are properly arranged and linked to their passport records before applying for a temporary work visa. By staying informed and proactive, both employers and workers can avoid unnecessary delays and ensure a smooth process for working in Saudi Arabia.

Source: Gulf Labour Markets and Migration