The Ministry of Labor in the past week issued 650 temporary work permits for Syrian nationals who are in the Kingdom on visit visas, Al-Eqtisadiah daily reported on Wednesday. The permits were issued through the ministry's Ajeer (employer) electronic portal at the rate of 93 permits a day. The ministry said the move was in line with a recent royal decree enabling Syrians on visit visas to be employed by the private sector during their temporary stay in the country. It said the Syrian visitors with visit visas stamped on their passports do not need any IDs from the Passport Department to gain employment. The temporary work permit will enable the Syrian men and women between 18 and 60 years of age to work for Saudi individuals or private establishments in jobs approved by the ministry. The portal will issue the applicants with temporary work permits, which are considered legal work documents and the Syrians are not required to transfer their sponsorship to the employer. According to the ministry, the temporary work permits are valid for an initial period of six months and can be renewed on expiry. The ministry made it a condition that any visiting Syrian should have the written approval of his Saudi host allowing him or her to work for others. There should also be a legal employment contract between the employer and the employee.
