QVP is the Saudi government's official verification of your academic qualifications and professional experience. It is administered by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, which issues a Professional Accreditation Certificate confirming that your qualifications align with the requirements of your occupation for a Saudi work visa.
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Saudi Qualification Verification
QVP Verification From the UK — With or Without a Degree
The Qualification Verification Programme (QVP) is the Saudi government’s official verification of your academic qualifications and professional experience — a mandatory step for most Saudi work visa applications. From our London office, we manage your full QVP submission, including degree verification and experience letter authentication, with the option of experience-only QVP for eligible professions.
- 4–6 Week Standard Turnaround
- Fixed Fee · £250 per Degree
- Experience-Only QVP Available
Overview
What Is QVP (Qualification Verification Programme)?
The Qualification Verification Programme (QVP) is the Saudi government’s official process for verifying the academic qualifications and professional experience of foreign nationals applying for Saudi work visas. It is administered by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), which issues a Professional Accreditation Certificate confirming that the applicant’s qualifications align with the requirements of their intended occupation.
QVP confirms three core elements of your application:
- Your academic qualification (typically your highest degree) is genuine and from a recognised institution
- Your professional experience matches the job role you have been offered in Saudi Arabia
- Your profession is permitted under the Nitaqat workforce regulation system
Without QVP verification, the Saudi Embassy will not issue your work visa. QVP must be completed before your visa application is submitted, which is why we strongly recommend starting the QVP process as early as possible.
QVP — What’s New in 2026
Saudi Arabia has updated the QVP requirements. For most professions, applicants must now submit:
- A scanned copy of their degree certificate for verification through QVP (the original document is not required — only a clear colour scan), and
- An experience letter (reference letter) from their previous employer — typically covering 2 to 6 years of relevant employment, depending on the job category
For certain professions, QVP can also be processed on the basis of professional experience alone — without a formal degree (see below).
Important — the Skills Verification Program (SVP) may apply instead of QVP. From 4 May 2026, Saudi Arabia introduced the Skills Verification Program (SVP) for skilled and technical occupations — 103 occupations in the initial phase, expanding in stages. If your profession is on the SVP list, you do not need QVP or Mosadaqa — the SVP assessment replaces them for those occupations. QVP, as described on this page, continues to apply to all professions not covered by the SVP. Continental Visa checks your occupation code and confirms which route you need. Learn more about the SVP →
Eligibility
QVP With or Without a Degree
QVP can be processed in two ways depending on your profession and qualifications. We assess each case individually and only proceed with applications that have a credible prospect of approval.
Standard QVP (With Degree)
For most professional roles
- Verifies your Bachelor's or Master's degree
- Requires an experience letter from your previous employer (2–6 years)
- Available for skilled trades, technical, management & specialist roles
- Standard verification: 4–6 weeks
- Fee: £250 (additional experience letters at £70 each)
Experience-Only QVP
For eligible non-degree professions
- Verifies professional experience without a formal degree
- Requires detailed experience letters from previous employers
- Eligibility assessed on a case-by-case basis
Which Professions Qualify for Experience-Only QVP?
While the standard QVP route requires a degree, Saudi Arabia accepts experience-only verification for certain categories of work. Examples include:
Skilled Trades
Roles requiring trade certification or vocational training rather than university-level qualifications.
Technical Roles
Hands-on technical positions where industry experience is more relevant than academic qualifications.
Senior Management
Leadership roles where extensive industry tenure substitutes for formal degree qualifications.
Specialist Positions
Niche professional roles where specialist experience is industry-recognised in lieu of academic credentials.
Not sure if your profession qualifies? Send us a brief outline of your job role and work history. We will confirm in writing whether you are eligible for standard QVP, experience-only QVP, or an alternative route — no obligation. Request your free assessment →
Required Documents
What You Need to Apply for QVP
To begin your QVP application, please prepare the following documents. We will provide the consent and application forms once you confirm you’d like to proceed.
- Passport identification page — colour scan of the page showing your photo and details
- Academic certificate — scanned copy of the qualification being verified (only one degree is required, e.g. Bachelor’s or Master’s)
- Academic transcript — scanned copy of your full transcript of study
- Experience letter (reference letter) — from your previous employer, typically covering 2 to 6 years of employment depending on your job role. Must be on company letterhead, signed by an authorised representative, showing job title, dates of employment, and duties
- Saudi job offer or employment contract — copy of the offer or contract from your Saudi sponsor
- Profession confirmation — on the visa block number issued by your Saudi sponsor through MoFA
- QVP consent form — completed and signed (we provide this)
- QVP application form — completed in full (we provide this)
Experience Letter Requirements
The experience letter is one of the most common sources of QVP rejections. To minimise delays, your experience letter should:
- Be issued on official company letterhead
- Be signed by an authorised representative (HR, line manager, or director)
- Clearly state your job title and the duration of your employment (start and end dates)
- Describe your key duties and responsibilities
- Include the employer’s contact details (phone, email, address) for verification
Worked at multiple companies? If you have worked at more than one company in the past six years, each company's experience letter requires separate verification at an additional £70 per company. We can advise on which letters to submit for the most efficient processing.
Our Process
How Continental Visa Manages Your QVP
From eligibility assessment to verification confirmation, we handle every step of your QVP submission and follow up directly with the Saudi authorities on your behalf.
Eligibility Assessment
Share your profession, qualifications, and work history. We confirm in writing whether you qualify for standard QVP, experience-only QVP, or an alternative route.
Document Collection
We provide a tailored document checklist and review every submission for compliance before lodgement, reducing the risk of rejection.
Experience Letter Review
We review your experience letter against the Saudi Embassy's exact requirements and request corrections from your former employer where needed.
QVP Submission
We submit your full QVP application through the official Saudi government system and monitor it daily until verification is confirmed.
Verification & Updates
You receive real-time updates by phone, email, or WhatsApp at each milestone. Standard verification typically takes 4–6 weeks.
Next Steps
Once QVP is verified, we move to the next stages of your Saudi work visa — Mosadaqa, medical examination, FCDO attestation, and Tasheer biometrics.
Service & Pricing
QVP Verification Fees
Our QVP fees are fixed and transparent. The fee covers the full management of your verification — from document review to submission to result confirmation.
| Service | Description | Fee (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| QVP Verification (One Degree) | Verification of one academic qualification through the QVP system | £250 |
| Additional Experience Letter | Per extra experience letter (e.g. if you worked at multiple employers) | +£70 |
| Experience-Only QVP | QVP processed on professional experience without a degree | £250 |
| Full Saudi Work Visa Service | End-to-end service — includes QVP + Mosadaqa + medical + ACRO + FCDO + Tasheer + embassy fees | £1,065 |
QVP only verifies one degree. Multiple qualifications are not required — we will advise on which qualification best matches your intended Saudi role. Only one attested degree (e.g. Bachelor's or Master's) is needed.
Why Continental Visa
Specialist QVP Handling You Can Rely On
QVP rejections are most often caused by avoidable issues — incomplete experience letters, mismatched job descriptions, or non-compliant document formatting. Our team prevents these issues before they arise.
Eligibility-First Approach
We only proceed when your application has a credible prospect of approval, saving you time and fees.
Pre-Submission Review
Every document is reviewed against the Saudi Embassy's exact requirements before lodgement.
Direct Liaison
We follow up directly with the Saudi authorities on your behalf, with regular status updates.
Experience-Only Expertise
We specialise in successfully processing QVP applications for non-degree professionals.
Quick Turnaround
Standard verification within 4–6 weeks. We monitor your application daily.
ICO Registered
UK-registered consultancy (ICO: ZC091062) with full GDPR compliance for your sensitive documents.
Common Questions
QVP — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common queries about the Qualification Verification Programme. For specific questions about your case, please contact us directly.
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What is QVP (Qualification Verification Programme)?
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Do I need a QVP for my Saudi work visa?
Yes. QVP verification is mandatory for most Saudi work visa applications. The Saudi Embassy will not issue a work visa without confirming your qualifications and experience through the QVP system.
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Do I need QVP if my profession requires SVP?
No. From 4 May 2026, Saudi Arabia introduced the Skills Verification Program (SVP) for skilled and technical occupations — 103 in the initial phase, expanding in stages. If your occupation is on the SVP list, SVP replaces both QVP and Mosadaqa — you complete the SVP assessment instead. QVP continues to apply to all professions not covered by the SVP. Continental Visa confirms which route applies to your occupation code before you begin.
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Can I apply for QVP without a degree?
Yes — for certain professions, Saudi Arabia accepts QVP applications based on professional experience alone. This typically includes skilled trades, technical roles, senior management positions, and specialist roles. Each case is assessed individually.
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How long does QVP verification take?
The standard QVP verification process takes 4 to 6 weeks. We strongly recommend starting your application as early as possible to avoid delays to your Saudi work visa.
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How much does QVP verification cost?
Our QVP verification service is £250 for one degree. Additional experience letters are charged at £70 each. If you have worked at more than one company in the past six years, each company's experience letter requires separate verification at £70 per company.
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What documents do I need for QVP application?
You'll need: a colour scan of your passport ID page, your academic certificate, your transcript, an experience letter from your previous employer, a copy of your Saudi job offer or employment contract, profession confirmation on the visa block number, and signed QVP consent and application forms (we provide these).
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What is an experience letter for QVP?
An experience letter (reference letter) is an official letter from your previous employer confirming your job title, employment dates, and duties. QVP normally requires 2 to 6 years of verified experience, depending on your profession and job category. The letter must be on company letterhead and signed by an authorised representative.
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Is QVP the same as Mosadaqa?
No. QVP verifies your qualification and professional experience through the Saudi government's verification system. Mosadaqa is a separate attestation of your Bachelor's degree by the Saudi Cultural Bureau in London. Most Saudi work visa applications require both.
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Do I need to verify multiple degrees?
No. Only one attested degree is required for QVP (typically your highest qualification or the one most relevant to your Saudi job role). We will advise on which degree to submit based on your case.
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Can QVP verification be expedited?
No. QVP verification is managed by the Saudi government and the standard 4–6 week timeline cannot be expedited. We strongly recommend starting QVP early in your Saudi work visa preparation.
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What if my QVP application is rejected?
If your QVP is rejected, we identify the cause (most commonly a non-compliant experience letter or mismatched job description) and assist with corrections and resubmission. Our pre-submission review process minimises the risk of rejection in the first place.
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My degree isn't from the UK — can I still apply for QVP?
Yes. QVP accepts degrees from a wide range of countries, including non-UK universities. We may also recommend complementary legalisation steps depending on where your degree was issued.
Ready to Start Your QVP Verification?
Get in touch today for a no-obligation eligibility check. We'll confirm whether you qualify for standard or experience-only QVP and provide a clear timeline and fee estimate.
Request a Consultation