Saudi Skill Verification Program 2026: Takamol NAVTTC Test Guide for Pakistani Workers
If you are applying for a Saudi work visa in a skilled trade, there is an extra step between your job offer and your medical: the Skill Verification Program (SVP). Run by Saudi Arabia’s Takamol in partnership with Pakistan’s NAVTTC, the programme tests whether workers in selected trades actually hold the skills written on their visa. Without an SVP pass, many trade visas cannot be processed. Here is how the test works in 2026 — fees, format, centres and booking.
What is the Skill Verification Program?
Saudi Arabia introduced the SVP in July 2021 to regulate its labour market, and Pakistan was the first country to sign the SVP agreement with Takamol. Before a worker in a listed trade can complete Saudi work-visa processing, they must pass a two-part skills test in Pakistan and receive a digital certificate linked to their passport.
Which trades must take the test?
The requirement applies to trades specified by the Saudi side and rolled out in batches. Commonly listed trades include:
- Electricians and AC/HVAC technicians
- Plumbers and pipe fitters
- Welders and fabricators
- Carpenters, masons and steel fixers
- Auto mechanics and heavy-equipment operators
If your visa profession is not on the SVP list, you do not need the test. Your recruiting agent — or our team — can check your exact profession code before you pay any fee.
Test format and pass mark
The assessment has two parts taken on the same visit: a roughly 30-minute computer-based theory test (Urdu is fully supported) and a practical assessment of about 90–120 minutes in your trade. The combined pass mark is 50%, and candidates get up to three attempts. Results and the digital certificate are normally issued within 24 hours, and the certificate is valid for five years.
Fees in 2026
The Takamol certificate fee is US $50 — roughly Rs 14,000 at January 2026 rates. Some booking services and centres quote higher all-inclusive amounts (around Rs 15,000–19,000) once appointment and service charges are added. Always confirm the current amount through NAVTTC’s official channels before paying, as fees and exchange rates change.
Where can you take the test?
Approved centres operate in major cities including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Multan, Peshawar, Gujrat and Quetta, with different centres approved for different trades. Appointments are booked through the NAVTTC–Takamol SVP system; take your original CNIC and passport on test day.
Where SVP fits in your Saudi visa process
A typical sequence for a Pakistani worker is: job offer and visa allocation → SVP test (if your trade is listed) → Wafid (GAMCA) medical → biometrics and stamping → BEOE protector registration before travel. See our full Saudi work visa guide for the complete picture, and our attestation services if your documents also need verification.
Hijrat's consultants in Aabpara, Islamabad can confirm whether your profession needs the SVP, guide your NAVTTC appointment, and handle your Wafid medical and protector steps end-to-end.
Disclaimer: Fees, trade lists and test procedures are set by Takamol, NAVTTC and the Government of Saudi Arabia and change frequently — figures above were checked in early August 2026. Always confirm current requirements through official NAVTTC/Takamol channels before paying. Visa and work-permit decisions rest solely with the relevant authorities.