Saudi Arabia Sets New Skill-Based Work Visa System: How Can You Benefit?
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
14 hours ago
- Daily Tribune
BBK awarded Best Retail Bank in Bahrain for 2025
BBK, a leader in retail and corporate banking in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has been named the Best Retail Bank in Bahrain for 2025 by Global Banking and Finance Review Magazine. This prestigious accolade recognizes the Bank's outstanding performance throughout the year and its enduring leadership in the retail banking sector. This marks the third consecutive year BBK has received this recognition, following wins in 2023 and 2024 from World Economic Magazine, further solidifying its position as a trusted and innovative banking institution in the Kingdom. The judging panel praised BBK for its excellence across key pillars, including financial stability, market leadership, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability and community engagement. For over fifty years, BBK has remained at the forefront of Bahrain's banking industry, consistently delivering strong profitability and demonstrating resilience through prudent balance sheet management and a customer-centric growth strategy. BBK's advanced digital platforms and innovative product offerings have raised industry standards, enhancing customer experiences and setting new benchmarks for service excellence. Its comprehensive approach to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices—alongside initiatives that support local businesses and communities—underscores the Bank's role as a responsible contributor to Bahrain's economic and social development. These achievements reinforce BBK's legacy of excellence, leadership, and adaptability in an ever-evolving financial landscape. Yaser Alsharifi, BBK Group Chief Executive, stated: 'We are honored to be named the Best Retail Bank in Bahrain for 2025. This award reflects the collective efforts of our dedicated teams, the support of our strategic partners, and the strength of our leadership in retail banking. It also highlights our firm commitment to innovation and sustainable growth and stands as a testament to the long-standing trust and loyalty of our valued customers, cultivated over more than five decades of service.' Alsharifi added: 'Throughout the past year, we have remained focused on placing our customers at the heart of every initiative—reimagining their banking journey and streamlining access to financial services in ways that foster trust and satisfaction. Our efforts have seamlessly integrated digital transformation with a strong sense of social responsibility. The upcoming transfer of HSBC Middle East – Bahrain's retail banking operations to BBK further underscores the Bank's leadership in the sector. We will continue to raise service standards while upholding our core values and contributing meaningfully to the advancement of Bahrain's banking sector and the realization of Bahrain's Vision 2030.'
Gulf Insider
a day ago
- Gulf Insider
Three Convicted In Riyadh For Commercial Concealment In Mobile Accessories Trade
The Ministry of Commerce has publicly named two Saudi citizens and a Yemeni resident after they were convicted of engaging in a commercial concealment scheme involving the sale of mobile phone accessories in Riyadh. According to a ruling by the Criminal Court in Riyadh, the Saudi business owner and his agent were found guilty of allowing the Yemeni resident to operate the business independently, without a foreign investment license. The resident was granted full control over the establishment's operations and was found to have financial dealings far exceeding his declared income as a sales representative, transferring illicit profits abroad. The court imposed a SR15,000 fine to be shared among the convicted individuals, revoked the business license, cancelled the commercial registration, and ordered the business to be liquidated. It also mandated the collection of all due taxes, zakat, and government fees. The convicted Saudis were banned from engaging in commercial activity, while the Yemeni national will be deported and barred from re-entering the Kingdom for work. The Ministry of Commerce reaffirmed that under the Anti-Concealment Law, penalties can reach up to five years in prison and SR5 million in fines, along with the seizure of illicit funds once a final verdict is issued.
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Tamkeen and Takamol sign MOU to boost professional skills and national workforce competitiveness
The Labour Fund (Tamkeen) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Takamol Holdings, a leading company in business services for the labor market and human capital development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The MOU aims to explore cooperation between the two organizations in multiple labor market related fields, as well as facilitate knowledge exchange in initiative design to enhance the efficiency of the labor market, support in professional skills development and improving performance and efficiency. Through this MOU, Tamkeen seeks to benefit from the expertise of Takamol in multiple aspects, enhancing program effectiveness, and boosting the competitiveness of national talent in line with the needs of the labor market. Additionally, Tamkeen will also gain understanding of the labor market development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Takamol will benefit from Tamkeen's experience in creating opportunities for national talent to enter the labor market and grow in it. The agreement was signed by Her Excellency Ms. Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, Chief Executive of the Labour Fund Tamkeen, and His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Abduljabar Al-Yamani, Chief Executive Officer of Takamol, in the presence of officials from both companies as a step that highlights their commitment to enhance and strengthen cooperation and knowledge exchange. On this occasion, Her Excellency Ms. Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, Chief Executive of the Labour Fund Tamkeen, reiterated that this partnership represents another milestone in Saudi-Bahraini partnership between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by fostering knowledge and exchanging expertise in program and service development for individuals, noting that this step reinforces all collaborative efforts taking place under the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer of the company Takamol, Dr. Ahmed Abduljabar Al-Yamani, praised the strong ties between the kingdoms, affirming that this partnership will contribute to strengthening and enhancing collaboration and knowledge exchange to design innovative solutions that are backed by the best experience and practices, which will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the labor market. Takamol Holding is one of the leading companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, serving as a bridge between the public and private sectors, an economic and social enabler, and a key partner in achieving the Vision 2030 goals. The partnership between Tamkeen and Takamol Holding aligns with Tamkeen's strategic priorities for 2025, which focus on enhancing the position and competitiveness of Bahrainis in the private sector, equipping Bahrainis with suitable skills for career development in the private sector, and prioritizing enterprise growth, digitization, and sustainability.
