Saudi Professional Accreditation Certificate 2026 QVP : A Complete Guide
Updated May 2026 | Motaded Limited Team
If you’re about to sponsor an expatriate worker for Saudi Arabia, the Professional Accreditation certificate may be a mandatory requirement before the Saudi Embassy stamps the visa. This guide explains what the Professional Accreditation Program is, who needs it, how much it costs, and how to complete it with minimum delay. All information below is based on the official Professional Accreditation Platform pacc and on our PACC Platform page.
What is the Professional Accreditation Program?
The Professional Accreditation Program is an extension of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to build a resilient labor market that responds to external changes, within the labor program package aimed at verifying the qualifications and skills of foreign workers across all categories and regulating their entry into the Kingdom. The supervising authority is the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development through Takamol Holding company.
Program objectives: improving workforce skills, raising service quality and productivity in the labor market, and reducing the inflow of unqualified workers.
The program serves three audiences: workers wishing to work in the Kingdom in covered professions, private sector establishments, and certified testing centers and technical institutes.
The Two Main Services: Professional Examination and Verification
The program offers two distinct services, each with its own target audience and methodology. The table below shows the fundamental differences:
| Item | Professional Examination | Professional Verification |
| Target audience | Skilled and semi-skilled workers | Academic talent and high-skilled workers |
| Methodology | Computer-based test + practical test | Verification of qualifications and experience |
| What is verified | Worker actually possesses the skills for the profession | Authenticity of academic certificates and work experience |
| Processing time | Exam: up to 120 min | Result: instant or 5 days | Average 21 days |
| Certificate validity | Computer-based only: 2 years | Computer + practical: 5 years | No expiration date |
Additionally, the platform offers Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for workers holding previously acquired certificates and licenses, where verification happens without a new test. The resulting certificate is valid for 2 years.
Professional Accreditation Fees
Fees vary by applicant’s location and service type. All payments are non-refundable:
| Service | From outside KSA | From inside KSA |
| Professional Examination (test) | USD 50 | SAR 540.5 |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) | USD 50 | — |
| Each retake after failure | Same exam fee | Same exam fee |
Payment is made via Visa or Mastercard. No-show for the exam forfeits all fees. Rescheduling is allowed once only, at least 72 hours before the scheduled appointment.
When is Professional Accreditation Required?
Professional Accreditation is required only for new expatriate workers whose profession is on the mandatory list. To check whether a worker’s profession requires accreditation, use the search engine on the homepage of pacc. The table below shows common cases:
| Category | Is Accreditation Required? |
| Skilled and semi-skilled workers | Yes — Professional Examination (welder, electrician, plumber, carpenter, AC technician, tailor, etc.). |
| High-skilled workers | Yes — Professional Verification (engineer, doctor, accountant, project manager, etc.). |
| Drivers | Yes — Professional Examination, with additional driving license requirements based on vehicle type. |
| Non-mandatory professions | No — no accreditation needed. |
Critical note: The examination must be completed outside the Kingdom before the worker arrives. It is not permitted after entering Saudi Arabia.
How to Register and Complete the Procedures
| # | Step | Time |
| 1 | Register on pacc and select the appropriate program | Same day |
| 2 | Select profession from SSCO list (cannot be modified afterward) | Precise |
| 3 | Pay fees via Visa or Mastercard | Immediate |
| 4 | Examination: book a test appointment at a certified center | By availability |
| 5 | Verification: upload documents to the platform | Same day |
| 6 | Take the test or wait for verification | Exam: instant | Verify: 21 days |
| 7 | Certificate sent automatically to MOFA | Automatic |
For establishments: employers can register on the electronic portal, purchase a test package, and book appointments for their workers. This option is practical for companies recruiting large numbers of workers.
Available Languages and Required Documents
The Professional Examination test is available in 9 languages serving the most common nationalities recruited to the Kingdom:
Language
Most Common Use
Arabic / EnglishPrimary languages for all nationalitiesHindi / TamilIndian workersUrduPakistani workersBengaliBangladeshi workersSinhalese / TamilSri Lankan workersFilipino (Tagalog)Filipino workersNepaliNepalese workers
Documents required for the examination: original ID, Iqama, or passport + exam ticket. Attendance 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment. For Professional Verification, the required documents are: academic certificate + passport + work experience certificates + professional certificates if any.
Linking to the Visa and Other Platforms
After the Professional Accreditation certificate is issued, the result is sent automatically to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to be linked with the visa application at the Saudi Embassy. The result typically appears in the embassy’s system within 24 hours, with a maximum of 5 days. For the full procedures and costs of issuing a work visa, see our Iqama and Work Permit Costs 2026 guide. For the procedures of issuing a work permit after arrival, see the Qiwa Platform page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the accreditation certificate doesn’t appear in the embassy system?
The result usually appears within 24 hours and may take up to 5 days maximum. If this period is exceeded, contact pacc support providing a copy of the certificate, visa application, and passport. If there are no technical issues, the applicant should review with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and try the service again.
If I selected the wrong profession, can I change it?
No. Profession selection is final and cannot be modified after registration. This is the most important reason to be precise when selecting the profession per the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations (SSCO). Motaded Limited provides a pre-screening service to confirm the correct profession before registration.
Can I refund the fees if I cancel the exam?
No. Fees are non-refundable. However, if payment fails and the amount is deducted due to a technical glitch, the credit is automatically added to the account for use in the same program. No-show for the exam is considered withdrawal and forfeits all fees.
If I pass the practical but fail the computer-based test, do I retake only the computer-based?
No. The entire exam (computer-based and practical together) must be retaken because they are complementary. This also applies in reverse: passing computer-based but failing the practical requires retaking the entire exam.
How many attempts am I allowed?
Up to 3 attempts maximum, each with separate fees. After exhausting the three attempts, the applicant cannot re-register for the same profession.
Does the accreditation certificate replace a Saudi driving license for drivers?
No. The certificate is specific to Professional Accreditation only and does not replace issuing a Saudi driving license. Drivers need a Saudi driving license in addition to the Professional Accreditation certificate.
How long does Professional Verification take for academic employees?
Average 21 days, varying by verification type and required documents. Applicants are notified if additional information is needed, and the result is sent automatically to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
How does Motaded Limited help with Professional Accreditation?
We handle registration on pacc on the employer’s behalf, correct profession selection per SSCO, follow-up on Professional Verification requests, handling appeals, and linking the accreditation with the visa application at the embassy. We also provide pre-screening to determine if the worker’s profession is mandatory before procedures begin.
Get Full Support for Your Professional Accreditation File
Any error in profession selection or delay in certificate issuance means a direct delay in the worker’s arrival and additional costs on the establishment. Motaded Limited manages the complete Professional Accreditation file for your workforce as part of HR Services and Visa Issuance services.