CV format for Saudi Arabia
Saudi employers read CVs much like other Gulf employers, but a few details carry more weight here. Your iqama (residence permit) status, whether it can be transferred, your nationality and your professional registration all shape whether a company can hire you under current labour rules. A clear, honest personal block saves the recruiter time and keeps you in the shortlist.
This page explains how to structure a CV for Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and the large project sites, how Saudisation affects which roles you should target, and which registrations engineers and healthcare workers usually need. It is aimed at expatriates applying from inside the Kingdom or from abroad, and also covers what Saudi nationals should highlight.
12 years in digital marketing and SEO; teaches tech and AI tools on YouTube. Built ATS CV Online for job seekers in the Gulf, Pakistan and abroad. See how we check CVs.
Saudi Arabia CV format at a glance
| Usual length | 2 pages; senior engineers and project managers sometimes use 3 when listing major projects |
|---|---|
| Photo | Common and often requested. Use a formal headshot. Not legally required |
| Page size | A4 |
| Personal details | Nationality, current location, iqama or visa status, transferability, notice period and languages |
| Visa / work status | e.g. 'Iqama valid until Oct 2027, transferable' or 'Outside KSA, requires work visa' |
| Professional registration | SCE for engineers, SCFHS for healthcare practitioners: list number or status if you have it |
| Date format | Gregorian dates, month and year (Jan 2023 – Present) |
| Language | English CV is standard for most private-sector roles. Arabic is a strong plus |
Include
- Iqama status and transferability. For candidates already in Saudi Arabia, this is the first thing many recruiters check. A valid, transferable iqama can mean a faster, cheaper hire than bringing someone from abroad.
- Nationality. Saudisation rules and visa quotas mean an employer's ability to hire can depend on nationality. Putting it at the top avoids wasted interviews.
- Professional registration (SCE, SCFHS). Engineers need Saudi Council of Engineers accreditation and healthcare practitioners need Saudi Commission for Health Specialties registration to practise. Showing your status signals readiness.
- Arabic language level. Arabic is useful in almost every role and essential in some client-facing and government-linked jobs. Be honest: 'Arabic: conversational' is better than overstating.
- Gulf or Saudi project experience. Recruiters value people who already know local codes, clients and working conditions. Name major projects, clients or sites where you are allowed to.
- Notice period. Employers plan mobilisation dates, especially on large projects. 'Available in 4 weeks' helps them decide.
Leave out
- Iqama or passport number. Your iqama number is a personal identifier linked to government services. It should only go to HR after an offer, not on a CV that may be forwarded widely.
- Religion and sect. Not relevant to the job and not something a professional CV needs to state.
- Copies of certificates inside the CV. Attach certificates separately only when asked. Scans pasted into the CV make the file heavy and confuse applicant tracking systems.
- Overstated Arabic or certifications. Language level is often tested in interview, and SCE and SCFHS records can be verified. A mismatch ends the process quickly.
Writing for Saudisation-era recruiters
Saudisation (Saudization) is the government's policy of increasing Saudi nationals in private-sector jobs. Under the Nitaqat system, companies are placed in bands based on the share of Saudi employees they have relative to their sector and size, and that band affects what visas and services they can access.
In practice, this means some job titles and sectors are restricted to Saudi nationals, and the list changes over time. Before you apply, check whether the role is open to expatriates; adverts often say 'Saudi nationals only'. Applying anyway does not help and can make recruiters skip your later applications.
For expatriates, the strongest CVs are built around specialist skills that are harder to fill locally: technical, engineering, medical, and senior project roles. For Saudi nationals, make your nationality visible, list any HRDF-supported training and use Jadarat, the national employment platform, alongside private job sites.
Iqama, transfers and the Qiwa platform
If you are working in Saudi Arabia, you hold an iqama tied to your employer. Recruiters want to know whether it is valid and whether you can transfer to them. Write it plainly: 'Iqama valid until March 2027, transferable' or 'Iqama valid, transfer possible after contract end in August 2026'.
Since the labour reforms introduced in 2021, many expatriate workers can change employers under defined conditions, and transfers and employment contracts are handled through the Ministry of Human Resources' Qiwa platform. The exact conditions depend on your contract and circumstances, so do not promise a transfer you have not confirmed.
If you are outside the Kingdom, write 'Currently in [city, country], requires work visa'. If you previously worked in Saudi Arabia, mention it in your experience section; recruiters see Saudi experience as a sign you will settle in quickly.
Attestation, SCE and SCFHS
Saudi work visas for professional roles normally require attested educational certificates. The usual route is attestation by the issuing country's authorities (for Pakistani degrees, HEC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), then the Saudi embassy or consulate. Your employer or recruitment agency will tell you exactly what is needed for your visa profession.
Engineers must be accredited by the Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) to work in engineering roles, and the profession on the iqama has to match. Healthcare practitioners must be classified and registered by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), which includes credential verification and, for many professions, an exam.
On the CV, a single line under your name or in a 'Licences' section is enough: 'SCE member, Professional Engineer grade' or 'SCFHS classification in progress'. Use only the status you can prove.
Where people apply in Saudi Arabia
- Bayt
- GulfTalent
- Naukrigulf
- Jadarat (Saudi nationals)
- Indeed Saudi Arabia
Templates that fit Saudi Arabia applications
Saudi Arabia CV questions
What should a CV for Saudi Arabia include?
Along with the usual summary, experience, education and skills, include your nationality, current location, iqama or visa status, notice period and languages. Engineers and healthcare workers should add their SCE or SCFHS status. Keep it to about two pages.
Should I mention that my iqama is transferable?
Yes, if it is true. A transferable iqama often makes you quicker and cheaper to hire than an overseas candidate. If a transfer depends on your contract ending, give the date instead of simply saying 'transferable'.
Can expatriates still find jobs in Saudi Arabia with Saudisation?
Yes. Saudisation restricts certain job titles and pushes companies to hire more Saudis, but many technical, engineering, healthcare and senior roles remain open to expatriates. Read each advert for nationality requirements before applying.
Do I need a photo on my Saudi CV?
It is common and some employers request it, but it is not compulsory. If you add one, use a formal headshot with a plain background. The rest of the CV matters far more for shortlisting.
CV examples by job
CV format in other countries
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