Saudi Arabia Introduces Skill-Based Classification for Work Permits

On July 6, 2025, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) announced a decision and published guidelines re-classifying work permits into three main skill categories: high-skill, skilled, and basic.

Employers in the country will have to classify their existing and future non-Saudi workers into the three skill categories according to the published criteria, ensuring that professional accreditation, duties and wages align with official occupational categories and job titles.

These categories have been identified based on the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations (SSCO) and specific classification criteria, including educational qualifications, professional experience, professional skills, wages and 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 applicants to compensate for not meeting some criteria with stronger performance in others. For example, if an applicant has extensive experience but does not meet the education/experience requirements, they can still qualify for a high-skilled work permit based on their performance in the remaining criteria.

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

1. Managers;
2. Specialists;
3. Technicians and Associate Professionals;
4. Clerical Support Workers;
5. Service and Sales Workers;
6. Skilled Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishery Workers;
7. Craft and Related Trades Workers;
8. Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers;
9. Elementary Occupations.

The criteria for the three categories are as follows:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

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 July 5, 2025;
• Phase 2: Classification of work permits for incoming foreign workers, effective from August 3, 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.

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