Saudi Arabia · updated 2026

Saudi CV format 2026 — CV format for Saudi Arabia jobs

The CV format employers in Saudi Arabia expect: the personal details they look for first, the section order, what to leave out, and a template you can fill in for free.

Saudi Arabia CV format at a glance

Length
2 pages (1 for freshers)
Page size
A4
Photo
Common — a professional headshot
Nationality
Include it
Iqama / visa status
Include it if you are in Saudi Arabia
Notice period
Include it
Professional registration
SCE (engineers), SCFHS (healthcare) — if applicable
Language
English is standard for most private-sector roles

Sections, in order

  1. 1

    Personal details

    Name, title, phone (+966 if you have a Saudi number, plus your home number), email, nationality, current location, Iqama or visa status, notice period and driving licence if you hold one. A professional photo is common.

  2. 2

    Professional summary

    3–4 lines with your role, years of experience, GCC experience if any, and the result you're proudest of.

  3. 3

    Core skills

    8–12 skills matching the job advert — technical skills first, then tools and software.

  4. 4

    Work experience

    Most recent first: job title, company, city and country, month/year dates, then achievement bullets. Name the projects and clients — Saudi employers value project references.

  5. 5

    Education

    Degree, university, year. Note if your degree is attested — attestation is usually needed for a Saudi work visa.

  6. 6

    Certifications & registration

    Professional registration (Saudi Council of Engineers, SCFHS) or eligibility, plus certificates such as PMP, NEBOSH or vendor certifications.

  7. 7

    Languages

    English, plus Arabic, Hindi, Urdu or others with your level.

Saudi Arabia CV template (structure)

Copy this structure, or fill it in with the free template and download when ready.

[Your name] — [Job title]
+966 / +91 [phone] · [email] · [City, Country]
Nationality: [Indian] · Iqama: [Transferable / Not in KSA] · Notice period: [30 days]
Driving licence: [Saudi / Indian / GCC, if any]

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
[3–4 lines: role, years of experience, GCC experience, best result]

CORE SKILLS
[Skill] · [Skill] · [Skill] · [Skill] · [Skill] · [Skill]

WORK EXPERIENCE
[Job title] — [Company], [City, Country]      [Mon YYYY] – Present
• [Achievement with a number — project, client, value]
• [Achievement with a number]

EDUCATION
[Degree], [University] (attested)              [YYYY]

CERTIFICATIONS & REGISTRATION
[SCE / SCFHS / PMP / NEBOSH …]

LANGUAGES
English (fluent) · Hindi (native) · Arabic ([level])

What to leave out

  • Religion — it is not needed on a CV.
  • Salary history, unless the employer asks for it.
  • Tables, columns and text boxes — many recruiters use applicant tracking systems that scramble them.
  • Unrelated hobbies and long objective statements.

Saudi Arabia CV format — FAQs

What is the best CV format for Saudi Arabia?

A clean, two-page, reverse-chronological CV on A4 with a personal-details block at the top (nationality, location, Iqama or visa status, notice period), then a short summary, core skills, work experience, education, certifications and languages.

Should I add a photo to a CV for Saudi Arabia?

A professional photo is common on CVs for Saudi employers. Use a recent headshot with a plain background and business attire. If the advert says not to include one, leave it out.

How do I make a CV for a job in Saudi Arabia?

Start with the personal details Saudi recruiters filter on, tailor the summary and skills to the job advert, list GCC or large-project experience clearly, and include professional registration if your field requires it. Keep the layout simple so it parses in applicant tracking systems.

Do I need SCE or SCFHS registration on my CV?

Engineers need Saudi Council of Engineers accreditation and healthcare professionals need SCFHS classification to work in Saudi Arabia. List yours, or that you are eligible, and confirm current requirements with the authority or employer.

Should my Saudi CV be in English or Arabic?

English is standard for most private-sector roles. Add Arabic under Languages if you speak it — it's a plus for customer-facing and government-linked roles.

CV formats for other countries