QVP – Qualification Verification Program for Saudi Arabia
Get your qualifications verified through Saudi Arabia’s QVP system before your work visa is stamped — managed end-to-end from the UK.
What Is the QVP?
The QVP (Qualification Verification Program) is a mandatory Saudi Arabia government process that verifies a foreign professional’s academic qualifications, professional certifications, and work experience before a work visa can be stamped. It’s run by PACC (the Professional Accreditation and Certification Center) under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and it works through primary source verification — meaning your university, professional body, or previous employer is contacted directly to confirm your credentials are genuine.
Originally limited to a handful of sectors, QVP now applies to all industries, and since a December 2024 expansion, it covers a much wider range of nationalities — including UK citizens and residents. If you’re a British professional or UK-based applicant heading to Saudi Arabia for work, QVP is very likely a required step in your visa process, regardless of your field.
Do UK Applicants Need QVP?
Almost certainly, yes. The December 2024 expansion specifically widened QVP’s nationality coverage to include the UK alongside the US, Canada, Germany, and several other countries. Whatever your profession, it’s worth checking your exact occupation against the PACC portal before you begin your visa process — some technical trades are routed to a separate Skill Verification Program (SVP) instead of QVP, and regulated professions like engineering and healthcare can require additional sector-specific licensing on top of standard QVP verification.
What QVP Verification Involves
- Registering on the official QVP portal with your personal and professional details
- Submitting your documents — passport copy, academic certificates, and evidence of relevant work experience
- Primary source verification — PACC contacts your university or former employer directly to confirm your qualifications
- Receiving your Professional Accreditation Certificate once verification is complete, which then supports your work visa application
The process typically takes around 15 days, though this depends heavily on how quickly your university or employer responds to the verification request — which is one of the most common sources of delay.
How We Manage Your QVP Application
- Occupation check — we confirm whether your role requires QVP, SVP, or both before you start
- Document preparation — we review your certificates, passport, and employment records for consistency before submission
- Portal registration and filing — we handle the QVP portal application on your behalf
- Active follow-up — we chase your UK university or former employer directly if a verification request has gone quiet
- Sector licensing guidance — for regulated professions like engineering or healthcare, we advise on any additional licensing steps required alongside QVP
- Integration with your visa timeline — we coordinate QVP verification with the rest of your Saudi work visa application so it doesn’t become a separate, disconnected process
How Is Your Process Managed?
- Contact us — tell us your profession and intended role in Saudi Arabia
- Submit your documents — academic certificates, employment records, and passport details
- We manage verification — portal registration, submission, and follow-up with your institution or employer
- Receive your Professional Accreditation Certificate — ready to support your Saudi work visa stamping