Saudi Arabia Launches New Work Permit System for Foreign Workers

Saudi Arabia has introduced a new system to classify work permits for foreigners, dividing them into three levels: high-skill, skilled, and basic. This step is part of the country’s efforts to make its job market more organized and efficient.

The new classification system was announced by Ahmed Al-Rajhi, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. The main goal of this change is to support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program, which aim to develop the economy and modernize the workforce.

This new system officially started for foreign workers already in the country on June 18, 2025. For new expatriates coming to Saudi Arabia, the rules will apply from July 1, 2025. To help employers and workers understand these changes, the ministry has published a detailed guidebook on its official website.

According to the ministry, this classification is meant to:

• Improve the overall performance of workers in Saudi Arabia.
• Attract skilled workers from around the world.
• Bring international experience and knowledge into the local market.
• Increase efficiency in how companies operate.
• Ensure the right people are doing the right jobs.
• Encourage innovation and support new types of businesses.

Under this new system, work permits will be grouped based on the level of skill or expertise a person has. For example:

• A high-skill worker might be someone with advanced education, professional training, or special experience.
• A skilled worker may have good experience or training in technical jobs.
• A basic worker usually performs general tasks that don’t require special skills.

This way, the government can make sure that foreign workers are truly qualified for the jobs they are doing. It also helps in verifying documents and improving the overall quality and reliability of the workforce.

Saudi Arabia’s new system is based on international best practices. It is expected to make the country’s labor market more open, fair, and competitive. With this change, the Kingdom hopes to build a stronger economy that welcomes talent from around the world while also supporting local development.

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