Saudi Arabia has a large healthcare workforce and offers health sciences education through universities with several schools of medicine. According to the General Authority for Statistics, Saudi Arabia had 243,336 nurses in 2024, and more than half were non-Saudi. International nurses therefore make up an important part of the country’s healthcare workforce.
Foreign nurses may work in Saudi Arabia after satisfying the professional classification, registration, employer, and immigration requirements. Potential benefits include employment income that is generally not subject to Saudi personal income tax, employer-provided health insurance for private-sector employees, and an end-of-service award under Saudi labor law. Housing, transportation, annual flights, bonuses, and other allowances depend on the employment contract and should not be assumed.
How to Become a Nurse in Saudi Arabia
If you are determined to pursue a nursing career in Saudi Arabia, the following are the main steps you will generally need to complete.
Step 1. Obtain a Relevant Nursing Degree
Whether you are a Saudi or international applicant, you must hold a nursing qualification that meets the requirements of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS). According to the SCFHS scope of nursing practice, classification as a Nurse Technician generally requires at least a three-year nursing diploma, while classification as a Nurse Specialist generally requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing or an equivalent qualification. Applicants must also meet the applicable assessment and professional registration requirements.
For initial professional classification, the SCFHS may require your qualification certificate, academic record, internship or clinical training documentation, a valid professional registration certificate or license from your home country, verification of foreign-issued documents, identification documents, and evidence of professional experience, as applicable. The SCFHS’s general requirements state that non-Saudi applicants usually need at least one year of experience, except for graduates of Saudi universities. Certificates must be submitted in Arabic or English; documents in another language require an official certified translation.
Step 2. Find a Nursing Job in Saudi Arabia
Foreign applicants normally secure a job offer before applying for a permanent Saudi work visa. However, the SCFHS professional classification process can be started from outside Saudi Arabia through Mumaris+, and a Saudi work permit is not required at the initial classification stage. Professional registration follows classification, requires lawful residence in Saudi Arabia, and must be completed before beginning professional practice.
You can search for positions through hospitals’ official career pages, the Saudi Ministry of Health recruitment portal, licensed recruitment agencies, and established job platforms. Major healthcare centers such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Makkah have many hospitals and health facilities, but job availability, language requirements, and compensation vary by employer and specialty. Platforms such as Glassdoor and CCM Recruitment may help you browse available positions, but you should verify the employer, recruiter, contract terms, and required fees before proceeding.
Step 3. Apply for the Saudi Arabia Work Visa
After you accept a nursing position, the Saudi employer or sponsor generally initiates the work-visa authorization process. Visa requirements vary by the Saudi embassy, consulate, or authorized visa service handling your application, so you should follow the instructions issued for your country of residence.
Commonly requested documents include a passport valid for at least six months, the Saudi work-visa authorization or referral number, an electronic power of attorney from the employer, a signed employment contract, an authenticated nursing qualification, a medical report, and a police-clearance certificate. A Saudi mission may request additional documents depending on the applicant’s nationality and location.
You can review this guide on how to apply for a Saudi Arabia work visa, and you should complete the application through the official KSA Visa platform, the Saudi embassy or consulate responsible for your location, or the authorized visa center specified by that mission.
Step 4. Take the Prometric Exam
As part of professional classification, the SCFHS may require an assessment. Depending on the applicant’s qualifications and professional category, the outcome may involve a direct classification decision, a practical evaluation, or an electronic written examination. Nurses assigned a computer-based professional examination may take it through Prometric or another SCFHS-designated examination provider. Applicants do not necessarily need to wait until entering Saudi Arabia because the classification process can be started from abroad.
Under the current SCFHS examination-attempt rules, an applicant who fails the first attempt receives two additional attempts. An applicant who passes on the first attempt may also receive two opportunities to improve the score. In cases of failure, examination opportunities may be repeated after one year from the date of the first attempt. Passing on a third attempt does not, by itself, create a requirement to retake the examination the following year.
Working as a nurse in Saudi Arabia may provide valuable professional opportunities, but compensation and working conditions vary. Whether you are completing a nursing degree or are already a nursing graduate or licensed nurse, the main steps are to ensure that your qualification meets SCFHS requirements, obtain professional classification and registration, secure a verified employment contract, and complete the applicable work-visa process.
We hope you found this article on how to become a nurse in Saudi Arabia informative. Planning to study abroad? Check out our KSA Study Guide. If you are interested, you can also explore these available programs for international students!
