UAE Joins Qatar, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, And More Countries As Saudi Arabia Implements Rigorous Immigration Controls, Reshaping Middle East Travel Dynamics

Published on December 17, 2025

UAE has joined Qatar, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and other Middle Eastern nations as Saudi Arabia enforces rigorous immigration controls, reshaping the region’s travel dynamics. This significant shift in Saudi immigration policy, which includes stricter visa regulations, residency rules, and corporate governance measures, is poised to affect businesses, expatriates, and travelers throughout the Middle East. As these new measures take effect, neighboring countries like the UAE are already feeling the ripple effects, signaling a pivotal moment for the region’s immigration landscape and travel industry.

Saudi Arabia is ramping up its immigration enforcement ahead of the anticipated demands of 2026, instituting stricter visa regulations, residency controls, and corporate governance policies. These measures, aimed at tightening regulatory discipline, will significantly impact the travel and expatriate communities, particularly in the Middle East. Countries such as Bahrain, UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, and Kuwait are already feeling the ripple effects of Saudi Arabia’s intensified policies, marking a pivotal moment for businesses, HR teams, and travelers alike.

Saudi Arabia’s Comprehensive Approach to Immigration Enforcement

In a move that signals a stronger crackdown on illegal residency, Saudi Arabia has introduced a digital “self-deportation” route for immigration violators. The platform is designed to streamline the deportation process, allowing individuals residing illegally in the kingdom to complete their exit formalities digitally rather than being detained and escorted to removal sites. The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Interior, is not an amnesty but a step towards enhancing administrative efficiency.

For employers, this new platform raises the stakes: immigration controls remain a priority, and the time to address violations has drastically shortened. Previously, companies could rely on informal resolutions to visa issues or work permits, but now, these gaps in compliance could result in swift deportations. The launch of this platform signals that Saudi Arabia is serious about its immigration enforcement, and businesses must be prepared for more intense scrutiny, particularly in sectors reliant on migrant workers.

Impact on Expat Communities in the Middle East

The self-deportation system will undoubtedly affect various Middle Eastern nations, with those sending large expatriate communities to Saudi Arabia facing the most significant repercussions. Countries like Yemen, Egypt, Syria, and Sudan, which contribute substantial labor forces in sectors ranging from construction to domestic work, are poised to see a spike in their citizens being processed for deportation.

1. Yemen: One of the largest Arab expatriate groups in Saudi Arabia, Yemenis are heavily represented in lower-wage sectors such as construction and agriculture. Many Yemenis, often in informal work arrangements, are likely to be affected by the stringent immigration controls.
2. Egypt: Egyptian nationals are a significant presence in Saudi Arabia, particularly in skilled sectors such as healthcare, construction, and hospitality. Egypt’s workforce has long been a pillar of Saudi’s development, and with tighter visa checks, the flow of new migrants and the security of existing expatriates will be under scrutiny.
3. Syria and Sudan: Refugee populations from Syria and Sudan have found their way into Saudi Arabia over the past decade, often taking on low-wage jobs. With the new enforcement measures, these communities may face heightened deportation risks as Saudi Arabia targets irregular residency statuses more aggressively.
4. Other Arab Neighbors: Countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine, though smaller in terms of their expatriate populations, will still feel the impact. Stateless Palestinians, in particular, could face additional challenges given their complex immigration status.

Saudi Arabia’s decision to digitize the self-deportation process offers these nations an expedited exit route, but the repercussions for expatriates in these communities are profound. There is a growing concern over the rate of deportations, which could disrupt lives and livelihoods for many families.

Corporate Compliance and the Role of Employers

For businesses operating in Saudi Arabia, these new measures emphasize the need for tighter compliance regarding expatriate workers. Employers are now under greater pressure to ensure that the residency and work statuses of their employees remain valid. The Saudi authorities are making it clear that they will hold employers accountable for hiring undocumented workers, and violations could lead to heavy penalties.

Employers should now consider the following practical steps to ensure full compliance:

1. Monthly Reconciliation of Work Visas and Iqama Status: Regularly verify the validity of employee work permits and Iqamas (residency permits). Any discrepancies must be addressed immediately to avoid penalties or deportations.
2. HR System Overhaul: Implement “stop points” within HR workflows to prevent employees from being assigned to shifts or projects if their residency documentation is expired or inconsistent.
3. Training for Line Managers: Ensure that managers are trained to spot and report any changes in the immigration status of their team members. Operational shifts or role changes should trigger immediate checks on residency status.
4. Prepare for Inspections: Employers should expect heightened scrutiny from Saudi authorities, meaning that all documentation related to employee onboarding, sponsorship records, and contract renewals must be readily available for inspection.

The crackdown on irregular immigration highlights the need for employers to be proactive in managing their workforce’s legal status and ensuring full compliance with Saudi Arabia’s rigorous visa and residency regulations.

Tighter Corporate Governance: A New Era of Beneficial Ownership Disclosure

Alongside the immigration enforcement measures, Saudi Arabia is also taking steps to enhance corporate governance. The country is tightening the rules around beneficial ownership (UBO) disclosure, requiring all businesses registered in the kingdom to reveal their ultimate beneficial owners. This move aims to increase transparency and reduce the potential for money laundering and other illicit activities.

The new rules are particularly impactful for businesses with foreign investors, as the authorities are requiring that all UBO data be updated whenever changes occur. This includes adjustments in shareholding, voting rights, or control arrangements. Annual confirmation of UBO information is now mandatory, and penalties for non-compliance can reach up to SAR 500,000.

For Middle Eastern investors, including those from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Egypt, this regulatory shift necessitates closer attention to Saudi Arabia’s evolving UBO framework. Companies with investments in Saudi Arabia must now align their internal governance processes with the new regulations, which could require significant updates to corporate structures and reporting practices.

Affecting Regional Investors: GCC and Beyond

The changes to UBO regulations are particularly relevant to investors from the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries. Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, and Oman already maintain their own UBO frameworks, but the Saudi regime brings additional complexities for cross-border investments. Investors from these countries will now need to ensure that their Saudi entities are compliant with the new UBO rules, especially regarding the timely update of beneficial ownership data.

Non-GCC investors from countries like Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq are also significantly affected. These investors must provide full beneficial owner data, update within 15 days of any changes, and file annual confirmations. The Saudi government’s stricter enforcement of these rules could mean greater legal and financial exposure for companies operating in the kingdom.

Impact on Travel and Business Mobility

Saudi Arabia’s visa and residency control tightening also has broader implications for regional travel and business mobility. With immigration violations being swiftly processed, individuals and businesses must reassess their travel strategies to avoid disruptions. For those looking to work in Saudi Arabia or use the kingdom as a hub for regional business operations, ensuring compliance with the new regulations is now a priority.

1. Travelers from Expatriate Communities: Nationals from countries with large expatriate populations in Saudi Arabia, such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and the Middle Eastern nations mentioned above, should be aware that stricter visa checks will impact their ability to travel freely to and from the kingdom. Tightened entry and exit processes may delay or complicate travel arrangements.
2. Corporate Mobility: Multinational companies with regional offices in Saudi Arabia should also anticipate challenges in transferring employees to and from the kingdom. Any issues with residency status could lead to delays in business operations and project timelines.
3. Tourism and Pilgrimage: Saudi Arabia remains a key destination for religious tourism, particularly during the Hajj and Umrah seasons. Stricter visa enforcement may affect the flow of religious tourists from affected countries, leading to potential disruptions during peak pilgrimage periods.

The Path Ahead: Navigating Compliance in a Changing Environment

Saudi Arabia’s new enforcement measures, which combine both tightened immigration controls and stricter corporate governance, mark a significant shift in the kingdom’s approach to regulatory discipline. These changes have far-reaching implications for expatriates, businesses, and travelers from across the Middle East, particularly Bahrain, UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, and Kuwait.

As Saudi Arabia continues to tighten its immigration and business regulations in the lead-up to 2026, businesses operating in the kingdom must take proactive steps to ensure compliance. The introduction of digital tools like the self-deportation platform and the enhanced UBO disclosure rules indicate that Saudi Arabia is determined to streamline its enforcement processes, leaving little room for error.

UAE joins Qatar, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, and other countries as Saudi Arabia enforces stricter immigration controls, significantly reshaping Middle East travel dynamics. These enhanced measures, including tighter visa and residency rules, are set to impact businesses and expatriates across the region.

Employers, HR teams, corporate lawyers, and business owners must now coordinate their efforts across multiple departments—HR, legal, compliance—to prepare for the evolving regulatory landscape. Navigating these changes will require vigilance, robust systems, and a commitment to ensuring that all documentation is in order to avoid any disruptions that could impact business continuity or travel plans.