As of January 14, 2025, Indian nationals planning to apply for work visas to Saudi Arabia will need to comply with a newly implemented professional and educational qualification verification process. This move, announced by the Saudi mission in India, underscores the kingdom’s commitment to enhancing workforce standards and streamlining its labor market.

What Does the New Requirement Entail?

The Saudi mission in India clarified in a circular that professional verification will be a mandatory requirement for issuing work visas. The circular, first reported by The New Indian Express, stated that this measure aligns with the Saudi government’s broader goals to regulate incoming workers and maintain quality standards in its labor market.

The pre-verification process involves verifying an applicant’s professional and educational credentials before granting them a work visa. This system is expected to:

Enhance Workforce Quality: Ensuring that workers entering Saudi Arabia possess the necessary qualifications for their roles. Improve Retention Rates: Attracting and retaining skilled workers through stricter entry requirements. Streamline Recruitment: Facilitating a smoother and more transparent hiring process.

Implications for Indian Workers

Indians form a significant part of Saudi Arabia’s expatriate workforce. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Indians are the second-largest expatriate group in the kingdom, with over 2.4 million workers as of 2024. This includes:

1.64 million individuals in the private sector. 785,000 domestic workers. The new verification requirements will undoubtedly impact Indian workers. Establishment owners and HR departments in Saudi Arabia are being urged to verify the credentials of expatriate employees rigorously. However, there are already concerns about the accessibility and availability of test centers for professional verification.

Challenges in Implementation

While the initiative aims to standardize recruitment, it is not without challenges. One significant issue is the lack of sufficient testing centers across India.

For instance: Test centers for car drivers are available only in cities like Ajmer and Sikar in Rajasthan. Applicants from South India face logistical difficulties, including long-distance travel and language barriers. Haris Beeran, a Rajya Sabha member, highlighted these issues, noting that the current infrastructure for professional verification is inadequate to meet the needs of Indian workers.

In addition to the professional verification requirements, Saudi Arabia has introduced updates to its residency and visa regulations:

Exit and Re-Entry Visa Extensions: Expatriates, including those currently outside Saudi Arabia, can now apply for extensions to their exit and re-entry visas. Iqama Renewals: Residency permits (Iqamas) can now be renewed even if the expatriate is not present in the kingdom.

These changes reflect the Saudi government’s efforts to modernize and simplify administrative procedures for expatriates. The introduction of mandatory professional verification for Indian workers applying for Saudi work visas marks a significant step in the kingdom’s efforts to enhance workforce quality and streamline its labor market. While the move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, it also highlights challenges such as inadequate test center infrastructure and logistical difficulties for applicants.

For Indian workers, adapting to these new requirements will be crucial. At the same time, the Saudi government must address the infrastructure gaps to ensure the success of this initiative. As both nations navigate these changes, the focus will remain on fostering a mutually beneficial relationship that supports economic growth and workforce development.