Sunday, July 6, 2025
Saudi Arabia Shifts to Skill-Based Work Permits for Expat Workers
Ahmed Al-Rajhi, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia, announced the decision to classify expatriate workers' work permits into 3 broad skill categories—high-skill, skilled, and basic. Most Viewed: Learn how can visitors use Saudi stopover visa to perform Umrah
On June 18, the Saudi labor market started classifying existing work permits and upgrading the technical system for expats currently working in the kingdom.
Starting July 1, the new categorization would be in place for all incoming expatriate workers, based on classification criteria that include "academic qualifications, practical experience, technical skills, wages, and age."
The system uses a person's salary, level of experience, and other relevant factors as points. Each criterion receives a certain number of points according to the applicant's performance. The ministry can grant a high-skilled work permit if the applicant's total points surpass a specific limit.
As a result of the system's adaptability, it is possible to make up for falling short on some criteria by exceeding expectations on others. A high-skilled work visa can be obtained by an applicant with considerable experience who does not fulfill the minimal education and experience requirements, provided that they complete the remaining criteria. Recommend: Saudi Arabia announces strict penalties on tampering of electricity meters
A detailed decision-making manual has been published by the ministry and may be accessed through its website.
This decision is part of the ministry's larger efforts to create a more appealing and efficient labor market, promote human capital, and improve the business climate, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program.
The goals of the initiative are to increase productivity in the workplace, attract top talent from across the world to work in Saudi Arabia, boost operational efficiency, gain access to foreign expertise, and generate an atmosphere favorable to new ideas and business model creation.
The decision will improve verification systems and ensure that expatriate workers possess the necessary qualifications for their job roles, thereby better managing the skill-level distribution in the labor market and aligning with international best practices. See Also: Is it possible to return on new visa after valid final exit from Saudi Arabia? Jawazat clarifies
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| Saudi Arabia Shifts to Skill-Based Work Permits for Expat Workers |
