Saudi Arabia sets new skill-based work visa system: How can you benefit?
Saudi Arabia classifies foreign workers by skill - system to help new hires from August 3
Dubai: Saudi Arabia has rolled out a major change to its work visa system that could benefit skilled foreign jobseekers looking to work in the Kingdom. For the first time, all foreign workers will be officially classified into one of three skill levels: high-skilled, skilled, and basic.
Previously, Saudi Arabia issued work permits based mainly on job titles without clearly linking them to qualifications, salary levels, or actual skill sets—often leading to mismatches between roles and worker profiles.
The new move, which took effect for current workers on July 5, 2025, and will apply to new hires from August 3, 2025, is part of the Kingdom's ongoing Vision 2030 reforms. The aim? To attract highly qualified professionals, raise workforce standards, and help jobseekers better match with relevant roles.
What are the new skill categories?
High-skilled: Reserved for professions like engineers, doctors, and IT specialists. Candidates will need to meet a points-based system that considers their education, professional experience, and salary.
Skilled: Mid-level roles such as technicians, supervisors, and administrative staff. These require some experience and verified qualifications but don't need to meet the high-skilled points threshold.
Basic: For manual labour and support roles. Workers in this category must be under the age of 60.
Why it matters for jobseekers
If you're applying for a job in Saudi Arabia, the new system adds transparency and predictability to the process. You’ll now know where you stand based on your credentials, and employers must ensure your classification matches your contract and qualifications.
More importantly, for jobseekers with strong educational or technical backgrounds, the new structure creates a clearer path to higher-tier job opportunities. Professional accreditation programs like Qualification Verification or Skills Verification will now play a bigger role in employment eligibility.
What employers must do
Employers are now required to:
Ensure all current and new foreign hires are accurately classified.
Update job titles and employee records in the Qiwa platform.
Submit corrections if the initial classification is inaccurate.
Incorrect classification could affect a company's ability to hire foreign workers in the future.
How to boost your chances
To improve your classification:
Gather documentation of your education and professional experience.
Consider enrolling in Saudi-approved verification programs.
Keep your job title and duties clearly aligned in your employment contract.
Still unclear: Benefits by skill level
While the system clearly outlines who qualifies for which tier, the Saudi government has not yet announced whether higher-tier classifications will offer additional rights, faster processing, or cost differences.
Bottom line?
Saudi Arabia’s new visa classification system is more than just paperwork. It offers a roadmap for ambitious professionals hoping to enter one of the Gulf's largest and fastest-evolving job markets.
Whether you're already working in the Kingdom or planning to apply, understanding this new framework could make all the difference.
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