What is a Profession Change (Tagheer Mehna)?
A profession change, known in Arabic as tagheer mehna, is the formal amendment of the occupation field on an expatriate's Iqama. The profession recorded on the card is not simply a label: it affects the worker's eligibility to sponsor family dependents, determines which job-transfer rules apply, governs access to certain business licenses and attestation services, and can influence the rights and restrictions that apply under Saudization quotas. When the recorded profession does not match a worker's actual role, a correction is often necessary to avoid complications down the line.
A common scenario is a worker who was recruited under a generic title (for example, 'worker' or 'technician') but performs a specialized or professional role. The mismatch may only surface when the employee tries to sponsor a dependent or when their employer attempts a job transfer and the system flags the inconsistency. In those situations, a tagheer mehna request is required to bring the records into line.
How to apply for a profession change in Saudi Arabia
- Identify the correct profession code: The MHRSD and Jawazat maintain an official list of approved profession codes. Confirm the code that corresponds to your actual role before starting the request, as the new profession must match an approved classification.
- Employer initiates the request: The sponsor or their PRO submits the profession-change request through the Muqeem platform or the relevant MHRSD portal. The worker generally cannot initiate this independently; it must come from the employer's side.
- Submit supporting documents: Depending on the profession, you may need to provide attested educational certificates, professional qualifications, or a letter from the employer confirming your actual role. Restricted or regulated professions (such as those in healthcare, engineering, or law) typically require additional authority approvals or evidence of licensing from the relevant Saudi professional body.
- Pay any applicable fees: A government fee may apply for the amendment. Confirm the current fee through the Muqeem portal or with your employer before submitting, as amounts are periodically revised.
- Track and confirm issuance: Once the amendment is approved, the Iqama record is updated. A new physical card may or may not be issued depending on the timing relative to the next renewal cycle. Confirm the outcome through Absher.
Eligibility, the list of restricted professions, processing timelines, and fees are set by the authorities and change; always verify current requirements for your specific profession before submitting.
Rules, restrictions and cost
Some professions are classified as restricted, meaning they are either reserved for Saudi nationals or require prior approval from a regulatory body such as the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties or the Saudi Council of Engineers. Changing to a restricted profession as a foreigner may not be possible without meeting specific licensing or qualification conditions set by the relevant authority. The typical government amendment fee is modest but confirm the current amount as it varies. Processing time depends on the profession and the supporting documents submitted.
What expats should know
A profession change requires full employer cooperation and cannot be forced by the worker alone. If your employer refuses to initiate the request despite a genuine mismatch, you may raise the matter as a labor complaint through the Qiwa platform. Keep copies of all attested certificates and qualification documents, as these are likely to be requested. Certain professions also have a direct effect on your ability to sponsor family: some categories enable family sponsorship eligibility while others exclude it, so confirming the implications of the new profession code before the change is approved is worthwhile.