Saudi Arabia (SA)
Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East and the world's leading oil producer — a rapidly transforming absolute monarchy embarking on an ambitious Vision 2030 diversification agenda that has already delivered entertainment venues, mixed-gender events, a booming tourism sector, and the Riyadh Metro.
Qualification Recognition
Getting your foreign credentials recognised in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia requires recognition and attestation of foreign qualifications for regulated professions — particularly healthcare (medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy), engineering, teaching, and law. The process involves attestation in the country of origin followed by Saudi MOFA authentication, with profession-specific licensing through the relevant Saudi authority. Healthcare professionals must complete DataFlow primary source verification (dataflowgroup.com) via the SCFHS Mumaris+ platform before licensing. In 2026, processes are increasingly digitised via MISA and MOFA Tawtheeq, but the full chain still takes 2–4 months. Qualifications from Western countries (UK, US, EU, Australia, Canada) are generally well-recognised; qualifications from some other countries may require additional scrutiny.
Regulated Professions
Process: Step 1: Attest original qualification in country of issue (foreign affairs ministry + Saudi embassy). Step 2: MOFA Tawtheeq authentication in Saudi Arabia. Step 3: Certified Arabic translation (MOFA-approved translator). Step 4: Apply to the relevant Saudi professional body for licence registration. Step 5: Pass any required Saudi licensing examination. Step 6: Receive Saudi professional licence.
Authority: Varies by profession: SCFHS for healthcare; SCE for engineering; SOCPA for accounting; REGA for real estate; MOE for teaching.
Timeline: 2–6 months total from initial attestation to licence receipt. Healthcare qualifications typically take 3–6 months due to SCFHS processing and examination scheduling.
Cost: SAR 500–5,000+ total depending on profession and number of documents. Healthcare licensing examinations: SAR 1,000–3,000. Engineering registration: SAR 500–1,500.
Academic Degrees
Authority: Ministry of Education (MOE) — Department of Academic Degrees Equivalency. For professional recognition, the relevant professional body (SCFHS, SCE, etc.).
Process: Degree from a recognised international university: Submit attested degree via MOE's equivalency portal or physically. MOE verifies the institution is on the list of recognised universities. Equivalency certificate issued — this confirms the Saudi equivalent level of your degree.
Equivalency service: MOE Academic Degree Equivalency System (the "Moaadel" system). Some professional bodies perform their own equivalency assessment independent of MOE.
Document Rules
Apostille: Saudi Arabia acceded to the Hague Apostille Convention on 8 April 2022; the Convention entered into force for Saudi Arabia on 7 December 2022. Apostilled documents from Hague-member countries are accepted in place of full bilateral legalisation chains. This significantly simplifies the process for expats from UK, EU, US, Australia, and other Hague members. Apostille is attached to the original document by the competent authority in the issuing country.
Legalisation: For documents from non-Hague member countries, the full chain is required: notarisation → home country foreign affairs ministry → Saudi embassy in home country → MOFA Tawtheeq in Saudi Arabia. Saudi MOFA Tawtheeq is processed via the Tawtheeq digital platform (mofa.gov.sa) or service centres in major Saudi cities.
Sworn translation: All documents in non-Arabic languages must be translated by a MOFA-approved certified Arabic translator (مترجم معتمد). A list of approved translators is available via MOFA. Translation costs: SAR 200–1,000 per document depending on length and complexity. The translated copy must be certified (stamped) by the MOFA-approved translator.
Counselling & Help
- - MISA (Ministry of Investment Saudi Arabia) Business Helpdesk — for professional licencing questions related to business operations
- - SCFHS (Saudi Commission for Health Specialties) — medical/nursing/pharmacy licencing queries: scfhs.org.sa
- - Saudi Council of Engineers — engineering registration: sce.org.sa
- - Your home country embassy in Riyadh — can advise on document attestation procedures
- - Professional bodies in your home country (GMC for UK doctors, NMC for nurses, etc.) often have resources for Saudi Arabia licencing
- - KPMG, PwC, Deloitte Saudi Arabia — professional licencing advisory services for corporate relocations
Typical Timelines
Attestation in home country: 2–6 weeks. Saudi MOFA Tawtheeq: 1–2 weeks. Translation: 1–2 weeks. Professional body application: 4–12 weeks. Licensing examination (if required): 1–3 months for next available date. Total for a healthcare professional: 4–8 months; for an engineer: 2–4 months. Start the process BEFORE arriving in Saudi Arabia if possible — your employer may not want you working without a Saudi professional licence even if you have an internationally recognised qualification.
Saudi Arabia's accession to the Hague Apostille Convention in December 2022 significantly streamlined document authentication for nationals of Hague member countries — this is a major improvement from earlier years when full bilateral legalisation chains were required. SCFHS licensing (healthcare) uses the Mumaris+ platform — the full process (DataFlow verification + Prometric exam + professional registration) takes 6–10 months and costs USD 680–850 total. If your profession requires a SCFHS licence, be aware that Saudi Prometric licensing examinations are challenging — prepare with official study materials. Some employers will support the licensing process — clarify this in your employment offer.
Qualification Recognition
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