Thursday, August 28, 2025
How to Apply for Saudi Skilled Worker Visa 2025: Eligibility, Jobs & Process
Saudi Arabia is becoming one of the top places for skilled workers because of its Vision 2030 plan, which focuses on growing the economy beyond oil. The Kingdom is inviting professionals from many fields, such as healthcare, construction, IT, oil & gas, education, tourism, and finance. Trending: Register for Cloud platform now and get up to 10 GB to store your files and access anywhere online
The Skilled Worker Visa provides foreign professionals with the opportunity to live and work in Saudi Arabia while enjoying the following benefits:
➤ Tax-free salaries.
➤ Career growth opportunities.
➤ Family sponsorship benefits.
➤ A chance to apply later for Premium Residency (work and live without a sponsor).
What is the Skilled Worker Visa?
The Skilled Worker Visa is a work permit for foreign professionals who are sponsored by registered Saudi employers. It is:
🔘 Valid for 1–2 years (renewable).
🔘 Linked to an Iqama (residency permit).
🔘 A possible pathway to long-term residency.
Job Sectors Hiring Skilled Workers
Saudi Arabia is looking for talent in many important sectors:
✅ Healthcare: Doctors, nurses, technicians, and lab staff.
✅ Construction & Engineering: Civil engineers, project managers, electricians.
✅ Information Technology: Software developers, cybersecurity experts.
✅ Oil & Gas: Petroleum engineers, drilling staff, geologists.
✅ Education: Teachers, administrators, and academic leaders.
✅ Hospitality & Tourism: Hotel managers, chefs, and event planners.
✅ Finance: Accountants, analysts, and investment experts. See Also: New work visa classification system to attract skilled foreign workers
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for the visa, you must:
■ Have a job offer from a Saudi employer registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD).
■ Hold the right degree or certification with 2–5 years of work experience.
■ Be 21 years or older (most employers prefer under 55, but exceptions exist).
■ Pass a medical check and have a police clearance certificate.
■ Be sponsored by your employer (kafeel) for visa and residency processing.
Step-by-Step Visa Application Process
1. Secure a job offer from a registered Saudi employer.
2. Employer requests visa authorization from HRSD and MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
3. Employer sends you the visa authorization slip.
4. Complete medical exams at an approved clinic in your home country.
5. Submit your visa application to the Saudi embassy or consulate.
6. Travel to Saudi Arabia once the visa is approved.
7. Your employer will assist you in obtaining an Iqama (residency permit) within 90 days.
8. Start working under your employment contract. Recommend: Big changes to Saudi visa rules
Important Details for 2025
• Work permits are divided into High-Skilled, Skilled, and Basic tiers based on education, salary, and experience (managed through the Qiwa platform).
• Workers earning SAR 5,000–10,000 per month ($1,332–$2,664) can sponsor family members.
• Visa fees: A Temporary work visa costs SAR 1,000 (~USD 266) + medical + insurance costs.
• Tax-free salaries, rapid career growth, and access to Premium Residency are big advantages.
FAQs
Q. What are the new skill-based visa categories?
Saudi Arabia has High-Skilled, Skilled, and Basic tiers depending on your degree, salary, experience, and age.
Q. When did the new visa system start?
It began on July 5, 2025 for existing expats and applies to new hires from August 3, 2025.
Q. What jobs are in the High-Skilled category?
Doctors, engineers, IT experts, and executives with a bachelor’s degree or higher and a salary of SAR 15,000 or more.
Q. How do employers apply?
Employers use the Qiwa platform to upload contracts, choose skill tiers, send documents, and pay fees.
👉 The Saudi Skilled Worker Visa is a big chance for professionals worldwide to be part of Saudi Arabia’s transformation under Vision 2030. Preparing your documents, passing medical checks, and working with your employer will help you start a successful new career in the Kingdom. Most Viewed: Saudi Arabia shifts to skill based work permits
 |
| How to Apply for Saudi Skilled Worker Visa 2025 Eligibility, Jobs & Process |
