Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest energy exporter, has started conducting skill verification examinations prior to issuing employment visas to workers from India, which supplies millions of workers to the hydrocarbon rich GCC countries. endorsing employment visas in India, according to a media report.
Known as Skill Verification Program (SVP) test, it has been made mandatory for certain categories of jobs in the first phase and gradually it will expand to all other jobs, according to a report by India’s Economic Times newspaper.
Launched in 2021, the Saudi Skill Verification Program aims to enhance the quality of professional manpower and preventing unqualified employees from working in the country. The program mandates that professional workers who are already working or planning to work in Saudi Arabia have to take both written and practical exams.
Under this program, professional workers who are already employed in Saudi Arabia or plan to work there must undertake both written and practical exams, the report said.
The test is now required for 19 professions, including building electricians, plumbers, welders, and electronic switchboard assemblers.
The Saudi Arabia embassy of India has notified recruiting agencies about this mandatory exam.
Every year, thousands of Indian workers arrive in hydrocarbon-rich GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia, to fill the human resource gap in these economies. Several Indians, including engineers, IT professionals, and others, legally enter Saudi Arabia under the aforementioned visas and subsequently change their job titles. Some individuals who fall victim to fraudulent agents also enter Saudi Arabia under these visas.
Once candidates receive their professional verification certificates, they can continue in their current job and renew their visa, or apply for a fresh work visa when seeking employment.