Indian in Saudi Arabia· Editorial Team · jobs-employment · 4 min read
Work Permit Skill Level Check (Taqdeer): High-Skilled, Skilled or Basic in Qiwa
Searching for a Taqdeer report? Saudi Arabia's official system is MHRSD's work permit skill classification (High-Skilled, Skilled, Basic). Here is how it works and how to check your level on Qiwa.
Correction (November 2026): An earlier version of this guide described a “Taqdeer” points table with fixed scores (75+/50-74/below 50), iqama durations of 1, 2 or 5 years and family-sponsorship rules by tier. We could not find any official source for those figures and have removed them. The official system is called classification of work permits by skill level (تصنيف رخص العمل حسب الفئات المهارية), issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD). “Taqdeer” is not its official name: the official Taqdeer programme is a GOSI scheme for retirees.
People often search for a “Taqdeer report” when they want to know their skill classification under Saudi Arabia’s new work permit system. Here is what the official system is and how to find your classification.
What is the work permit skill classification?
Under Ministerial Resolution No. 4602, MHRSD classifies every expatriate work permit into one of three skill levels, based on the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations (SSCO) and five criteria: educational qualifications, professional experience, professional skills, wage, and age.
| Level | Main conditions (summary of the official guidelines) |
|---|---|
| High-Skilled | Profession in SSCO main groups 1–3 (managers, specialists, technicians); total wage at or above the ministry’s High-Skilled threshold for the economic activity; professional accreditation (qualification verification); and passing the points system based on education, experience and wage |
| Skilled | Profession in SSCO main groups 4–8; wage at or above the Skilled threshold; professional accreditation (skills verification). Group 1–3 professions also fall here if the wage is below the High-Skilled threshold |
| Basic | Profession in SSCO main group 9 (elementary occupations); accreditation where it applies; worker aged 60 or under. Group 1–8 professions also fall here if the wage is below the Skilled threshold |
The ministry has not published a fixed points score in the guidelines; it says points are allocated per criterion and a worker qualifies for High-Skilled if the total exceeds a threshold set by the ministry. Strong performance in one criterion can make up for another.
Timeline
- Phase 1 (from 5 July 2025): work permits of expatriates already working in the Kingdom were classified based on their profession and wage.
- Phase 2 (from 3 August 2025): work permits of workers entering the Kingdom for the first time are classified using the full criteria.
How to check your classification online
Through Qiwa (official)
The official guidelines say classification is automated and the skill level of each work permit appears in the establishment’s account on the Qiwa platform. In practice:
- Ask your employer’s HR or government relations team to check your work permit’s skill level in their Qiwa establishment account.
- Check your own Qiwa individual account (login with Nafath) for your work permit and contract details. The official guidelines do not say whether the skill level is shown on individual accounts, so if you cannot see it there, ask your employer.
Absher and Muqeem
We found no official Absher or Muqeem service called “Taqdeer Report” or “Classification Report”. Absher and Muqeem handle iqama and visa services; the skill classification sits with MHRSD/Qiwa.
What affects your classification
- Profession (job title): the SSCO group of the occupation on your work permit and Qiwa contract
- Wage: your total wage against the ministry’s thresholds for each level
- Professional accreditation: qualification verification for groups 1–3, skills verification (tests) for groups 4–8 and some group 9 jobs
- Education and experience: used in the High-Skilled points system
- Age: Basic level applies to workers aged 60 or under
How to correct or improve your classification
If your classification is lower than expected:
- Check your profession — according to MHRSD, classification can be corrected by making sure your job title is accurately reflected in your documented work contract on Qiwa
- Verify your salary — make sure the wage recorded matches your contract
- Complete professional accreditation — qualification or skills verification for your occupation
- Request a correction — workers who are not classified accurately can submit a request to correct their skill level; it is updated if they meet the criteria for the level they want
Tip: Keep your employment documents organized. Store digital copies with SNB Neo (referral link) alongside your financial records for easy access.
Why this matters now
MHRSD says the classification aims to attract high-skilled talent, check that workers have the skills their jobs need, and manage the skill mix of expatriate workers. The official guidelines do not set out specific benefits per level (such as iqama length or family-visa rules), so do not rely on claims you see online about these until MHRSD publishes them.
Related guides
- Iqama & Residency — Complete Guide
- Job Transfer Rules in Saudi Arabia
- Check Iqama Expiry Date
- End of Service Benefits Calculator
References
- MHRSD — Guidelines for Classification of Work Permits by Skill Categories (PDF)
- Qiwa — Worker classification portal — qiwa.sa
- SPA — Human Resources Minister Unveils New Skill-Based System for Expatriate Work Permits
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Classification rules may change. Always verify with MHRSD or your employer.
- taqdeer
- classification
- points
- iqama
- career
- mhrsd
