Saudi Arabia’s New Expat Classification System: A Quiet Shift with Big Implications

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has introduced a new system for categorising expatriate workers, dividing them into three distinct skill groups: High-Skilled, Skilled, and Basic. While the policy doesn’t yet trigger any direct changes to work permits or visa requirements, it sets the tone for a more structured and strategic approach to managing foreign labour in the Kingdom.
Though currently administrative in nature, this move signals a shift toward a more data-led and future-ready labour market—one that draws inspiration from international models like those in the UK, Canada, and Australia, where work visa decisions are based on salary thresholds, qualifications, occupation type, and local labour market conditions.