Saudi Arabia CV Requirements 2026: Complete Checklist
Everything Saudi and expat candidates need to include — and exclude — on their Saudi CV. Nitaqat, SCFHS, Iqama, and Vision 2030 sector certifications covered in full.
Saudi CV requirements differ from Western standards in both what must be included and what the ATS systems prioritise. Use this checklist before submitting any application to a Saudi employer — whether you are a Saudi national, an Iqama holder, or a new arrival seeking sponsorship.
Mandatory for All Candidates
- ✓Nationality
Critical for Nitaqat (Saudization) compliance. Saudi employers must report their national-to-expat ratio; your nationality directly affects their quota calculations. State it clearly in the personal details section.
- ✓Date of Birth
Standard in Saudi CVs. Format: DD/MM/YYYY. Used for salary banding and benefits planning in larger organisations.
- ✓Professional Email
firstname.lastname@gmail.com or professional domain. Avoid nicknames. A professional email is a basic signal of seriousness.
- ✓Phone Number (+966)
Always include the Saudi country code. Format: +966-5X-XXX-XXXX (mobile). If you are outside KSA, include your current number with country code and note your availability to relocate.
Mandatory for Expat Candidates
- →Iqama Status
State whether you are an "Iqama holder (transferable)" or "Iqama holder (requires NOC)" or "currently on visit visa / seeking sponsorship." This is the most time-sensitive hiring factor for Saudi recruiters — it directly determines time-to-hire.
- →Visa Type
Employment Visa, Business Visa, Visit Visa, or Family Visa. Include expiry date if on a time-limited visa.
Sector Certifications — Include with Validity Dates
- SCFHS Registration — Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. Mandatory for all healthcare professionals. Include registration number, classification level (Consultant, Specialist, Resident, etc.), and validity date.
- SEC Licence — Saudi Engineers Council. Required for practising engineers. State registration number and discipline (civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.).
- SOCPA Membership — Saudi Organisation for Chartered and Professional Accountants. Required for auditors, CPAs, and senior accounting roles. Include membership number.
- NEBOSH — National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health. Highly valued for HSE and safety roles across energy, construction, and manufacturing. State certificate number and date.
- PMP — Project Management Professional. State certification number (PMI) and validity date. Valued across all sectors for senior project management roles.
- CFA / ACCA — For finance and accounting roles. Include charter level (CFA Level I/II/III or full charterholder) and membership number.
What NOT to Include on Your Saudi CV
- ✗Salary Expectations — discuss during the interview process. Including it on the CV limits negotiation flexibility and can close doors prematurely.
- ✗Full Home Address — city only (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam). Full street address adds no value and poses a privacy risk.
- ✗References — omit entirely or write "Available upon request." Never list referees' contact details on the CV.
- ✗Religious or Political Content — beyond the optional Bismillah greeting in a cover letter, religious or political affiliation should not appear on a CV.
- ✗Passport Number — a security risk. Never include identity document numbers on a CV.
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