At a glance
- Saudi Arabia has introduced a new classification framework for foreign workers, segmenting all overseas employees into three defined skill levels.
- Under the new system, the three skill levels are high-skilled workers, skilled workers or basic workers.
- The changes took effect in July 2025 for existing employees, with new hires subject to the system from 3 August 2025.
Saudi Arabia has introduced a new classification framework for foreign workers, segmenting all overseas employees into three defined skill levels. This reform replaces the previous job title-based system with a more structured approach, categorising workers as high-skilled, skilled, or basic.
Under the new system, high-skilled visas will be granted to professionals such as engineers, doctors, and IT specialists, based on a points-based assessment that considers education, experience, and salary. The skilled category includes technicians, supervisors, and administrative personnel, while the basic category applies to manual labour roles, subject to an age cap of 60 years.
The changes took effect in July 2025 for existing employees, with new hires subject to the system from 3 August 2025. Employers are required to reclassify their current foreign workforce and update employee records via the Qiwa platform to ensure compliance. Failure to accurately classify workers may result in penalties that could impact future hiring of foreign staff.
Key employer responsibilities under the new system include:
- Classifying all foreign employees according to the three-tier structure.
- Updating employment records through the official Qiwa platform.
- Submitting corrections for any classification errors.
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