Saudi Arabia Skilled Worker Visa 2026 Explained

The Saudi Arabia Skilled Worker Visa 2026 is a total change in the entry-process of the expatriates into the Kingdom. In the context of the Saudi Vision 2030 transformation, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has changed the current general system of Iqama into an accurate Skill-Based Classification.

All activity permits are handles through with the Qiwa document in 2026 and attached to an progressive Points-Based Judgement. This implies that your eligibility is not limited to being offered a job anymore, but showing your professional value in terms of confirmed data.

The Three-Level Suicide Hierarchy

The 2026 system divides all the foreign workers into three levels. This category defines how much you earn as a minimum wage, the possibility to support family, and even to become a long-term resident.

Saudi Arabia Skilled Worker Visa 2026 Explained

High-Skilled Professionals

This level is left to the intellectual capital of the Kingdom- the people behind the Giga-projects such as NEOM and the Red Sea Global project.

Reference point Job Inform: IT Designer, Surgeons, Business enterprise Adviser, and AI Engineers.
Essential Qualifications: Bachelor degree or higher (checked through the Qualification Verification Program – QVP).
Assessment: Score 70 and above on HRSD points matrix (Age, Education, Experience and Salary).
Salary Floor: It has a normal beginning of SAR 15,000 or more.

Experienced Laborers and technicians

This is the most huge population which includes technical professionals who maintain the infrastructure of the Kingdom.

Reference point Function: HVAC Technicians, Electricians, attention staff, and Mid-level Superior.
The “SVP” Mandate: You have to pass the Skill Verification Program (SVP)- an obligatory trade examination (Theoretical and Practical) in your own home country prior to the visa being stamped.
Earnings Base: SAR 7, 000 to SAR 14, 999.

Basic Workers

Regular jobs offering services that are important.

Reference point Roles: Construction general labor, hotel housecleaners, and assistants with low qualification.
Age Ceiling: There should be a rigid ceiling of 60 years.
Earnings Floor: Typically: SAR 3,000 to SAR 6,999.

The Business Verification Thought (PVP) 2026

The currency of the year 2026 will be expertise. The Kingdom has extended Professional Verification Program (PVP) to more than 160 countries in an effort to eradicate credential frauds.

It is required to verify degrees among University Graduates (QVP) through the Qualification Verification Program. This includes checking against the world accredited databases of your university.
To Technical Trades (SVP): In case you are one of the thousand and seven registered technical professions listed you will have to visit an authorized center (such as NAVTTC in Pakistan or Takamol centers in India) and prove your talent.

Application Roadmap: 2026: Step-by-step

The process of making a Saudi skilled visa is currently a process that is a One Window digital process:

Employer Qiwa Request: Your employer forms a contract with the help of the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations (SSCO).
Digital Acceptation: You are language the declaration direct the Qiwa Respective Portal.
Certification Check: You fill your SVP Commerce Test or QVP State Verification.
MOFA Authorization: After a verification is made, the visa block is released to the Ministry of foreign affairs.
Tasheer/VFS Biometrics: You take your fingerprints and visa sticker at one of the centers in your own country.

FAQs

What will become of me in case I fail the SVP Trade Test?

The amount of retakes is normally two. In case of the last attempt, either you reinstate your job title to a non-technical position (Tier 3) or the visa application is canceled by your employer.

Does it essential a police clearance certification (PCC)?

Yes. By 2026, PCC is necessary in most of the skilled levels of your home country, which must be attested by the Saudi embassy to provide a secure working environment.

Can Tier 2 employees carry their families?

Generally, yes. In case your salary is at least at a minimum level (typically, SAR 7,0008,000) and you belong to one of the Skilled categories, you can sponsor your spouse and children.

How long is the visa valid?

Work visas are normally one or two-year renewable through the Absher and Qiwa portals by your employer.

Is it reimbursed on the verification fees?

Though it is written in the law that the employer will cover the visa and iqama cost, the cost of the SVP tests (about 60-100 dollars) is commonly paid out of pocket by the employee. Review your contract on reimbursement.

Final Thought

The Saudi Arabia Skilled Worker Visa 2026 is not a permit; it will be a professional certification. The Kingdom is rewarding talent and transparency by identifying itself with the Vision 2030. Always have a perfect match of your degree title and the job offer on the SSCO Code before the digital verification stage so that you are not rejected.

Disclaimer

This paper is informative and educational. One should verify information with credible sources, i.e. the official hrsd.gov.sa or qiwa.sa portals and make apposite decisions.