Skill Verification Program (SVP) in Saudi Arabia: 2026 Update
Saudi Arabia’s Skills Verification Program (SVP) is transforming how foreign workers are assessed, hired, and retained across the Kingdom. Launched in July 2021 by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), the program ensures that expatriate workers in technical and skilled roles meet the required standards before obtaining or renewing their work visas.
This initiative is closely aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to create a more efficient, qualified, and competitive labor market while reducing dependency on unverified foreign labor.
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🧭 What Is the Skills Verification Program?
The SVP requires expatriate workers in technical roles to pass both theoretical and practical assessments that evaluate their job-specific competencies.
The program currently covers more than 1,000 professions across 23 sectors, ranging from construction and manufacturing to healthcare and electrical trades.
The theoretical exam tests safety, regulations, and technical knowledge, while the practical exam assesses on-site skills and performance. Both are conducted at authorized testing centers recognized by the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization (SASO).
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💪 Why the SVP Matters for Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s labor market relies heavily on expatriate workers, particularly in skilled trade and healthcare sectors. As the Kingdom undergoes massive economic diversification under Vision 2030, ensuring workforce quality has become critical.
According to Al Arabiya, Saudi Arabia will require 175,000 additional healthcare workers by 2030 to meet infrastructure and population growth demands. Similar shortages exist across construction, electrical, and maintenance sectors, highlighting the urgent need for verified and competent labor.
The SVP addresses these gaps by:
- Preventing the entry of unqualified foreign workers
- Enhancing productivity and workplace safety
- Ensuring labor rights and fair wages through skill-based classification
- Supporting the Saudization initiative by setting clear competency benchmarks
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