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Updated February 2024

Like its Gulf neighbours, Saudi Arabia also offers many job opportunities for foreign workers with specific skill sets. To guarantee the proficiency and expertise of these workers, the country’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) established the Skill Verification Program (SVP).

Read on to learn more about this program, including the process of registering, associated costs, test locations, and other relevant information.

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Saudi Skill Verification program latest news

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) initiated the inaugural phase of the Skill Verification Program (SVP) in Egypt. Currently, skills in plumbing, electrical work, welding, automobile mechanics, and carpentry are undergoing testing. The program is poised to integrate additional skills tailored for diverse professional fields in upcoming phases.

Saudi Arabia plans to expand its vocational verification initiative to 160 countries. The program assesses the skills of workers destined for employment in the kingdom, aiming to improve labor market regulation. Currently operational in 62 countries, the initiative is part of continuous efforts to enhance workforce oversight.

Saudi Skill Verification program

Established in 2021, the Saudi Skill Verification Program is aimed at enhancing the quality of professional manpower and preventing unqualified workers from working in the country. The program mandates that professional workers already working or planning to work in Saudi Arabia take written and practical exams.

Successful candidates will receive a professional verification certificate that can be used to maintain their current job or apply for a Saudi work visa when seeking employment. The program is divided into two tracks: the internal track and the international track.

Internal track

The internal track is intended for professional Saudi workers already working there. The implementation was carried out in five phases, starting with large companies and proceeding to smaller establishments.

International track

The international track was initiated in 2022, with Pakistanis being the target of the first phase. In September 2022, 12 examination centres were established in Pakistan to administer practical and written tests for Pakistani workers so they could apply for a Saudi work visa.

Saudi Arabia has now expanded the program to about 62 countries, including India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The Kingdom plans to extend this program to over 160 countries.

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Saudi Skill Verification program target segment

The MHSRD aims to target workers from over a thousand professions across 23 fields to participate in both theoretical and practical exams. For workers already in the Kingdom they can check whether they are required to take the exam by visiting the official website of the SVP.

For the international track, only workers in five specific specializations out of the 23 are currently eligible to join the program. The eligible specializations include:

automobile electricians
electricians
plumbers
refrigeration/air conditioning technicians
welders

Saudi Skill Verification program test registration

The process for registering for the test may vary depending on the country where the tests are being held.

Saudi Arabia

For those residing in the Kingdom, the steps for registering are as follows:

Visit the SVP website
Find the nearest test centre according to your specialization
Book an appointment
Login to your SVP account
Follow further instructions there

Upon booking an appointment and paying the fee, the individual must visit the test centre with identification documents such as their original Iqama, passport, and exam ticket.

Pakistan

Registration for Pakistani candidates is currently closed. When it reopens, the following process can be followed:

Create a new account by visiting the Pakistan SVP website and choosing “Register as Candidate”. Fill out the required information and provide a username and password.
Verify the account by using the OTP sent to the mobile number and email address.
Complete all other information.
Download the Challan form and pay the fee at any National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) branch.
Choose the date and location of the test by logging in to the website with the username and password and entering the Challan number and date of fee submission.
Print the roll number slip, which must be brought on the day of the test.

Note: The process may be subject to change, and it is recommended to check the official SVP website for the most up-to-date information.

India

Registration for the SVP test in India is done in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

Bangladesh

Similarly, in order to facilitate the arrival of skilled workers in the Kingdom, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yussef Essa Al-Duhailan has entered into a Skills Verification Program (SVP) agreement with the Bangladeshi Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training.

Sri Lanka

For those residing in Sri Lanka, the steps for registering are as follows:

register on the SVP portal
schedule a theoretical and practical test
confirm details with the test supervisors before taking the examination.

Upon completing the evaluation, the professional worker is issued the SVP certificate, which is treated as an additional requirement during the recruitment process.

Saudi Skill Verification program test locations

The availability of the test centre in each country depends on the specializations of the workers required for testing.

Saudi Arabia

The test centres in Saudi Arabia are available in numerous cities, including Abha, Ad Dammam, Al Hufuf, Al Jiddah, Al Jubail, Al Kharj, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Al Majmaah, Al Qurayyat, Arar, At Taif, Buraydah, Hafar Al-Batin, Hail, Jazan, Jeddah, Makkah Al Mukarramah, Rabigh, Riyadh, Sakaka, Tabuk and Yandu.

For more details, please visit the SVP FAQ page.

Pakistan

In Pakistan, SVP test centres are available in six cities: Karachi Central, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Faisalabad.

Find the test centre nearest to your location here.

India

Test centres in India are only located in New Delhi and Mumbai. Find the test centre nearest to your location here.

Bangladesh

The cities and the specific addresses of the test centres in Bangladesh have yet to be announced.

Sri Lanka

The cities and the specific addresses of the test centres in Sri Lanka have yet to be announced.

Saudi Skill Verification program costs

It costs SAR 650 for Saudi workers to take the test. In Pakistan, the registration and testing fee is PKR 4,000 per candidate, with an additional cost of PKR 6,818 to issue the certificate if they pass the test. The test cost in India and Sri Lanka has not yet been revealed.

As per the announcement by the Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh, there will not be any fee for Bangladeshi workers to take the tests. The employer in Saudi Arabia and their authorized individual will handle all the expenses, including the visa, flight ticket, medical report, police report, etc.