Saudi Arabia: Saudi Professional Verification Scheme Now Applies to Egyptian Nationals

Egyptian foreign nationals seeking employment in Saudi Arabia as a plumber, electrician, welder, automobile mechanic, or carpenter must now pass a theoretical and practical test at an accredited examination center in Egypt as a prerequisite to obtaining a Saudi work visa. It is expected that Egyptian foreign nationals who achieve at least 50 percent on the test will be issued with a certificate (valid for five years) that will allow them to apply for an entry visa to work in Saudi Arabia. This policy is an expansion of Saudi Arabia’s existing Professional Verification scheme, which already applies to nationals from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Due to this requirement, affected employers may face increased employee onboarding costs and timeframes, as well as greater challenges in hiring or retaining eligible employees from the affected countries.