Saudi Arabia classifies every expatriate work permit into one of three skill levels—High-Skilled, Skilled, or Basic—under Ministerial Resolution No. 4602. The classification is determined by the worker’s occupation under the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations (SSCO), combined with educational qualifications, professional experience, professional skills (including required accreditation), total remuneration, and age.
This classification is an integral part of the work-permit assessment. It directly affects whether a permit can be issued or renewed and under which conditions.
The Three Skill Levels
The SSCO divides occupations into nine main groups:
- Managers
- Specialists
- Technicians and Associate Professionals
- Clerical Support Workers
- Service and Sales Workers
- Skilled Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Workers
- Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers
- Elementary Occupations
High-Skilled
High-Skilled is available for occupations in groups 1–3 when three conditions are met: the total wage meets or exceeds the Ministry-set threshold for that skill level; the employer’s economic activity and professional accreditation requirements for the group are satisfied; and the worker passes the points-based assessment. The points system evaluates educational qualifications, professional experience, and wage together. Strength in one criterion can offset a lower score in another, provided the overall threshold set by the Ministry is cleared.
Skilled
Skilled applies to groups 4–8 when the skilled-level wage threshold and any required accreditation are met. Occupations belonging to groups 1–3 that do not reach the High-Skilled wage threshold are also placed in the Skilled category.
Basic
Basic covers group 9, subject to any applicable accreditation and an age limit of 60. Occupations from higher groups that fail to meet the Skilled wage threshold fall into Basic.
The job code and title recorded in the employment contract and on the Qiwa platform form the foundation of the classification. Every other data point must support that entry.
How Classification Affects the Work Permit
The system requires full consistency across five elements: the occupation and job title on Qiwa, documented educational qualifications, verified professional experience, professional accreditation (where required for the occupational group), and total remuneration relative to the applicable threshold. Age is also checked for Basic placements.
Any mismatch can result in rejection of the application, automatic placement in a lower skill level, or the need for corrective action. Once assigned, the skill level becomes part of the worker’s official record and influences subsequent renewals and transfers. Employers carry an ongoing obligation to maintain accurate Qiwa data that match the actual role and supporting documents.
Implications for Engineers, Technical Specialists, Professionals and Project Personnel
These roles normally map to SSCO groups 1–3 and therefore follow the High-Skilled pathway when the remaining criteria are met. Success depends on four practical factors:
- Selecting the precise occupational code rather than a generic title.
- Completing the professional accreditation required for the specific group.
- Ensuring total remuneration reaches the High-Skilled threshold set for the employer’s economic activity. Falling short automatically places the worker in the Skilled category even if the occupation belongs to groups 1–3.
- Achieving a sufficient overall score on the points assessment of education, experience, and wage.
Roles that sit near the boundary between Specialist and Technician groups require particular care in code selection and in the description of responsibilities recorded in the contract.
Checking and Correcting the Recorded Skill Level
The assigned skill level is visible in the establishment’s account on Qiwa. Both workers and employers should verify that the recorded category accurately reflects the occupation, qualifications, accreditation status, and total remuneration.
If the classification is incorrect, a correction request can be submitted through Qiwa. Approval is not automatic; it depends on the employment contract, verified credentials, and wage data fully supporting the requested level. A review is recommended at every permit renewal and whenever a role, salary structure, or accreditation status changes.
Accurate job classification is the foundation of a valid work permit.
Secure the Right Classification for Your Team
Ensure your work permits are correctly classified and fully compliant. Tasheera Services provides expert guidance on role classification, Qiwa alignment, and professional compliance for engineers and specialist staff. Reach out to our team today.
