Saudi Arabia is opening its doors to qualified expats and simplifying the visa process. Find out what will change in the country's migration laws in 2024 and how the new rules will affect workers

Saudi Arabia has decided to make it easier for qualified foreign workers to find employment in the Kingdom. In particular, recently the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) of Saudi Arabia launched a comprehensive "professional verification" service, the main purpose of which is to simplify the procedure for obtaining a visa for highly qualified expats.

What will change for skilled worker visa applicants in Saudi Arabia? We tell.

What is this new "professional verification" service?

One of the requirements for obtaining a visa for highly qualified workers in Saudi Arabia is the availability of academic qualifications and relevant work experience. The purpose of the "professional verification" program is to monitor whether the applicant meets these requirements. The focus will be on verifying the authenticity of your academic qualifications and ensuring that they meet the requirements of the specific profession you are applying for in Saudi Arabia.

The system works through a single electronic platform, cooperating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 128 countries of the world.

The MHRSD will compare your qualifications with the Saudi Arabian Unified Classification of Occupations and the country's Unified Classification of Educational Levels and Specialties.

How will the "professional verification" service improve the lives of foreign workers?

- Faster Visa Application Processing: A streamlined, automated process promises a faster verification of your qualifications, potentially leading to a faster work visa process.

- Increased employment opportunities: This initiative signifies Saudi Arabia's openness to attracting skilled foreign workers, potentially leading to a wider range of employment opportunities in the country for skilled expats.

Passing the "professional check" procedure is a great opportunity to explore the prospects of your employment in Saudi Arabia.

It is also safe to say that the new system will make the visa application process more efficient and transparent, potentially opening the door to a successful career in the Kingdom.

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Prospects of the "Professional Verification" program

The Saudi government plans to expand this program in the future. In particular, a larger list of professions will be covered, including technical specialties and positions in the field of health care. In addition, the number of countries will increase - over time they will become more than 160.

The procedure for obtaining a work visa to Saudi Arabia

In general, expats can work in Saudi Arabia provided they have a work visa. To receive it, a foreigner must have appropriate qualifications and a job offer from a local company.

The procedure for obtaining a work visa includes several stages:

- Get a job offer.

- Pass a qualification and experience check.

- Coordinate with relevant Ministries.

- Prepare the necessary package of documents.

- Wait for the decision and go to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia's "professional screening" program is an important step toward creating a more regulated and productive labor market. It is already clear that the initiative will improve opportunities for skilled workers in the Kingdom.

We will remind you that we talked about the specifics of employment for expats in Hong Kong here. Top 5 best cities for digital nomads in this article.