Saudi Arabia: New skill-based classification of work permits

On 6 July 2025, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) announced that there will be a new system of re-classifying work permits for foreign nationals into three main skills categories: High Skill, Skilled and Basic.

Guidance has been issued and employers in Saudi Arabia will have to classify their existing and future non- Saudi workers into the three skill categories accordingly to criteria that has been published and encompasses things such as ensuring that professional accreditation, duties and wages align with official occupational categories and job titles.

What is the Criteria?

Categories have been developed based on the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations (SSCO) with specific factors taken into account:

• Educational/academic qualifications

• Professional experience

• Professional skills

• Salary

• Age

A specific number of points are allocated to each criterion based on the applicant’s performance. If the total points earned by the applicant exceed a certain threshold set by the Ministry, they will qualify for a high-skilled work permit.

This system allows some flexibility for applicants to rely on points in some categories while they may not have points or score highly in others.   For example, if an applicant has extensive experience but does not meet the education/experience requirements, they may still qualify for a high-skilled work permit based on performance across the remaining criteria.

The nine primary occupational groups of the SSCO are as follows:

• Managers;

• Specialists;

• Technicians and Associate Professionals;

• Clerical Support Workers;

• Service and Sales Workers;

• Skilled Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishery Workers;

• Craft and Related Trades Workers;

• Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers;

• Elementary Occupations.

The criteria for the three categories can be summarised as follows:

High-Skilled

1. Occupational groups 1 to 3;

2. Wage not less than the minimum threshold for the High-Skilled Level;

3. Professional accreditation for the relevant occupational group;

4. The worker must pass the points-based system set by the Ministry for this level, which is based on three main criteria: educational qualifications, Professional experience, and wages.

Skilled

1. Occupational groups 4 to 8:

2. Wage not less than the minimum threshold for this skill level;

3. Professional accreditation for the relevant occupational group;

4. The profession may fall within one of the main occupational groups (1 to 3) if the worker does not meet the minimum wage threshold set for the High-Skilled Level.

Basic

1. Occupational group 9;

2. If applicable, professional accreditation for the occupational group;

3. Age must not exceed 60 years;

4. The profession may fall within one of the main occupational groups (1 to 8) if the worker does not meet the minimum wage threshold set for the Skilled Level.

When is  the system effective?

The new system is being launched in two main phases:

• Phase 1: Classification of work permits for workers currently employed in Saudi Arabia, effective from 5 July 2025;

• Phase 2: Classification of work permits for incoming foreign workers, effective from 3 August 2025.

The classification process for both phases will be automated, with the skill level of work permits appearing directly through the establishment’s account on the Ministry’s systems (Qiwa Platform).

Workers whose skill level is not accurately classified can submit a request to correct their skill level. If they meet the specified criteria for the desired skill level, their classification will be updated accordingly.

To discuss your requirements in Saudia Arabia please contact [email protected]  and [email protected].

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