Previously, you could enter on a “Laborer” visa and work as an electrician or plumber. Not anymore. In 2025, working in a profession that does not match your visa—or holding a visa without passing the mandatory home-country test—can lead to immediate fines, jail, and deportation.

The era of “fake visas” and “unskilled labor” in the Gulf is officially over. Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have launched aggressive “Skill Verification” regimes that are catching thousands of workers from Pakistan and India off guard.

Here is the complete breakdown of the Skill Verification Program (SVP) and how to save yourself from being blacklisted.

1. Saudi Arabia: The “Takamol” SVP (Strictly Mandatory)

Saudi Arabia has implemented the Professional Verification Program (SVP), managed by Takamol. It is now mandatory for workers in over 1,000 professions to pass a theory and practical exam before leaving their home country.

Who Needs This?

If you are applying for a visa as a:

• Electrician
• Plumber
• Welder
• AC Technician
• Auto Mechanic
• Carpenter
• Blacksmith

…you cannot get your visa stamped without the SVP Certificate.

The Procedure (Step-by-Step):

1. Get a Reference Number: Your Saudi employer must issue a “SVP Reference Number” via the Qiwa Portal.
2. Book the Test:
   • In Pakistan: Visit the NAVTTC Takamol Portal or official centers like “Pakistan Skills Development Institute.”
   • In India: Visit the NSDC International Portal to book a test with verified partners.
3. Take the Exam:
   • Theory (30 mins): Computer-based questions about safety and tools.
   • Practical (Practical): You must physically demonstrate your skill (e.g., wiring a circuit, welding a joint) in front of a camera.
4. The Result: If you pass, your certificate is uploaded directly to the Saudi Embassy system. No certificate = No Visa.

Warning: If you are already in Saudi Arabia and try to renew your Iqama (Residency) for these professions, you must pass this test inside the Kingdom. Failing 3 times leads to a Final Exit visa.

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2. UAE: The “Attestation” & Visa Title Trap

The UAE’s system is different but equally dangerous for those who try to cut corners. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has linked Skill Levels to visa issuance.

The “Deportation” Trap (Visa Mismatch):

Many agents sell “Laborer” visas because they are cheap and easy. But if you are caught working as an Electrician while holding a Laborer visa, you face:

• Immediate Deportation.
• Permanent Ban from the UAE.
• Fines of up to 50,000 AED for your employer.

The New Requirement: Certificate Attestation

To get a “Skilled” visa (Level 1-5) that protects you from deportation, you must prove your education.

• For Trades (Plumbers/Electricians): You must provide a Vocational Certificate (e.g., ITI from India or TTC/NAVTTC from Pakistan).
• The Verification: This certificate must be attested by:
  1. Your Home Country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
  2. The UAE Embassy in your country.
  3. The UAE MOFA inside Dubai/Abu Dhabi.

Pilot Projects (The Future):

The UAE and India have signed a Skill Harmonization MoU, which is rolling out pilot projects where Indian workers in construction must be certified by NSDC before flying. This is rapidly becoming the standard for all blue-collar jobs.

How to Protect Yourself (The Action Plan)

For Viewers in Pakistan:

• Do not buy a “Laborer” visa if you have a skill. It is a trap.
• Register with NAVTTC: Even if you are going to UAE, get a verified certificate from NAVTTC. It is the only document accepted globally.
• Verify your Agent: Check if your agent is licensed on the Bureau of Emigration (OEC) website.

For Viewers in India:

• Use NSDC: Apply through NSDC International for Saudi SVP tests. They have authorized centers in Mumbai, Delhi, Kerala, and other states.
• Attest Before You Fly: Do not travel to UAE with a “pending” attestation. Getting it done from inside UAE is 3x more expensive.

Official Sources List:

• Saudi Arabia SVP: PACC / Takamol Official
• Pakistan Testing: NAVTTC Official
• India Testing: NSDC International
• UAE Visa Rules: MoHRE Official Portal

Final Verdict:

The “Azad Visa” (Freelance Visa) concept is dying. If you cannot prove your skill on paper and in a test, do not spend money on a Gulf visa in 2025. You will likely be sent back.