Saudi Arabia to recruit Uzbek medical and construction professionals under new visa system

The announcement was made by the Migration Agency following a visit by its head, Bekhzod Musaev, to the kingdom. Accompanied by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and embassy officials, Musaev held talks aimed at streamlining legal employment opportunities for Uzbek nationals.

During discussions with Saudi Deputy Minister of Labor Affairs at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Sharqi, officials reviewed the kingdom’s labor market strategy and new mechanisms for hiring foreign workers. The Saudi side presented a revised work visa system based on skill levels – basic, intermediate, and advanced.

The two sides agreed to establish a joint working group focused on placing Uzbek workers in healthcare, tourism, construction, and engineering. To support this, Uzbekistan will introduce training programs aligned with international standards in these sectors. Candidates will be required to pass qualification exams necessary for employment with Saudi companies.

The delegation also met with representatives of the recruitment organization KDOT and several major employers to discuss targeted training and skills development in high-demand fields.

This cooperation builds on previous discussions held in September 2025, when Saudi officials in Jeddah and Mecca met with Uzbek diplomats during the annual Hajj pilgrimage to discuss hiring seasonal workers, including butchers and construction staff. Uzbekistan has been actively expanding similar seasonal labor cooperation with the United States, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.