The Shoura Council’s human resources committee has proposed an increase in fees for seasonal visas, with SR1,000 for the visa and a further SR1,000 for an extension.

The proposal is part of amendments to regulations governing visas for temporary and seasonal workers announced recently in a royal decree.

Several companies that bring in seasonal workers said they hoped the Shoura would discuss the proposal with them before taking a decision.

The decision would affect 50,000 seasonal and temporary workers who work during the Haj and Umrah seasons, especially drivers, mechanics and technicians, said Ali Nakor, former chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers’ national committee on land transport and a member of the General Syndicate of Cars.

He said the increase would be an added financial burden for companies and eventually increase transport costs. The Shoura Council should not raise the fees for those coming to work during the Umrah and Haj seasons, he said.

The new fees would also lead to an increase in costs in the technology, communications and medical fields, experts and investors have argued. They said other ways should be found to regulate the issuing of visas, rather than a hike in fees.

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