The Ministry issued a new decision to classify professionals’ work permits into 3 basic categories for further regulation, following the Cabinet Resolution on that classified occupations into 9 main categories. What do you know about the ministerial decision that took place on July 5, 2025, that classifies work permits for professionals in the Saudi Kingdom? Here are all the details.
First, what are the criteria for classifying professionals under Saudi labor law?
This video briefly explains everything about the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations:
Accordingly, the classifications of professionals according to the Saudi labor law divided occupations into 9 main groups:
- 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
As for Ministerial Decision No. 4602, dated 1/10/1447 AH (corresponding to July 5, 2025), and based on the previous cabinet decision, work permits are now classified into three skill categories:
- Highly Skilled
- Skilled
- Basic
And the ministry has identified 5 key criteria for classifying work permits based on skills:
- Educational Qualifications: Determining the suitability of the educational level to the requirements of the profession.
- Professional Experience: Verifying the required years of professional experience according to the specific requirements for each skill level.
- Professional Skills: Meeting the requirements of the Professional Accreditation Program, based on the nature of the profession.
- Remuneration: The wage thresholds set by the ministry for each skill level, depending on the economic activity.
- Age: The age group specified for each profession according to its nature and requirements.
The methodology used to classify professional labor by skill is as follows:
- Highly Skilled Category (4 Criteria):
a. The profession must fall under one of the main occupational groups (1 to 3), as per the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations.
b. The worker’s total salary must not be less than the minimum threshold for the Highly Skilled category, as it is determined by the ministry for economic activity.
c. The worker must pass the professional accreditation program specified by the ministry for this group of professions (1 to 3).
d. The worker must pass the points system set by the ministry for this category, based on three main criteria: educational qualifications, work experience, and salary. - Skilled Category (4 Criteria):
a. The profession must fall under one of the main occupational groups (4 to 8), as per the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations.
b. The total salary must not be less than the minimum threshold for the category, as determined by the ministry.
c. The worker must meet the requirements of the professional accreditation program specified by the ministry for the main occupational groups (4 to 8).
d. The profession must fall under one of the main occupational groups (1 to 3) if the minimum salary for the Highly Skilled category is not met. - Basic Category (4 Criteria):
a. The profession must fall under the main occupational group (9), as per the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations.
b. The worker must meet the requirements of the professional accreditation program specified by the ministry for the main occupational group (9).
c. The non-Saudi worker’s age must not exceed 60 years.
d. The profession must fall under one of the main occupational groups (1 to 8) if the minimum salary for the Skilled category is not met.
What are the implementation phases for this classification for existing and incoming expatriate professional workers?
- The classification of work permits for expatriate professionals already in the Kingdom began on July 5, 2025.
- As for the classification of work permits for the incoming expatriate professionals, it is expected to start on August 3, 2025.
Moreover, technical enhancements are being completed on the Kingdom’s official platforms to support business owners in the updating process for their workforce data and help them comply with the classification for both current and incoming professionals working in their businesses.
What are the objectives of classifying work permits for expatriate professionals?
- Improving worker performance and facilitating knowledge exchange among them.
- Enabling companies and establishments to benefit from the training programs provided by the ministry for each category of professional workers.
- Transferring experiences from each level to the next one.
- Attracting global talents in every industry to enhance operational efficiency in the Kingdom and leverage the expertise of these professionals.
- Building a work environment that supports innovation and development by sharing successful experiences in the Saudi labor market and attracting the skills actually needed, thereby creating a more attractive and efficient labor market that contributes to the development of current and future human competencies in the Kingdom.
- Developing the business sector to the required level, in line with the goals of Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program.
- Addressing certain violations previously committed by some establishments through the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations, where some professions were inaccurately categorized. The work permit classification aims to ensure expatriate workers possess the required qualifications and skills, helping establishments avoid similar violations in the future and better manage skills and professions in line with best practices.
What is required from business owners to ensure compliance with the work permit classification?
- Download the ministry’s guideline and review the skill categories.
- Update workforce data through government platforms (Absher, and Qiwa).
- Train HR personnel in their businesses on the new classification criteria.
And most importantly, seek help from manpower services expertise to support them in maximizing the benefits of the new updates, complying with governmental requirements, and avoiding violations.
In this regard, you can contact our experts in the Saudi Manpower Solutions Company (SMASCO) to assist your company in aligning with the classification of current and incoming professional work permits. Contact the Samasco team now. Click here.
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