Things to know about the 'Professional Verification' program in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has launched a "Professional Verification" program to verify that all skilled workers in Saudi Arabia have the required skills to perform the occupation they were recruited for. The initiative will be enforced with full effect from July 1.

Applicants are to be aware of some requisites for the vocational eligibility test, which will be mandated in all institutions across the Kingdom in five phases depending on the size of the establishments and the number of employees.

Any examination centres not approved by the Saudi authorities will not be taken into consideration.

The exam will be conducted in two sections - theoretical (computerized) and a practical test. In case of any leakage of tests, the license of centres held responsible will be sacked.

The minimum score required to pass the exam is 50 per cent generally, however, it depends on the official communication channels of the system.

Each examinee is granted three chances to qualify their skills and those disqualified after the third attempt will either have their work visa rejected or will be sent back to their respective countries.

The eligible workforce will grant a 'Skill Verification' certificate with a validity of five years and can be renewed again.

MHRSD has urged all the institutions to register for the professional verification system on the skilled workers through the https://svp.qiwa.sa link. The process will target over 17 lakh workers currently employed in more than 1000 professions, including accountants, medical staff and engineers, in Saudi Arabia.