Saudi Arabia’s investment in human capital and education reform has led to a spike in recruitment of international educators, particularly native English speakers. Between 2023 and 2024, hiring agencies and Saudi schools have continued to prioritise teachers from Australia, the UK, and the US for placements in Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, and beyond.
But securing a job offer is just the beginning. For your work visa to be processed, your academic documents must be properly authenticated and accepted by Saudi authorities. The process varies slightly depending on the employer, but failing to meet the required document standards can delay or even derail your application.
Saudi Arabia and The Hague Apostille Convention: What It Means for Teachers
Saudi Arabia joined the Hague Apostille Convention Abolishing the Requirement for Legalisation of Foreign Public Documents on 8 April 2022, and the Convention came into effect for the Kingdom on 7 December 2022. This should, in theory, eliminate the need for traditional embassy legalisation for Australian public documents.
However, in practice, Apostille acceptance depends on the type of document and the requirements of the employer or authority. For employment-related academic documents, including those submitted for teaching permits, there is no universal rule.
Do Teachers Still Need Saudi Embassy Legalisation?
Not always.
Some Saudi employers and visa processing centres now accept DFAT-issued Apostilles as sufficient proof of authenticity for degrees, transcripts, and teaching qualifications.
But others—particularly those working closely with the Saudi Ministry of Education (MOE) or dealing with Iqama (residency permit) sponsorships—may still require full legalisation through the Saudi Embassy in Canberra.
Important: Whether Apostille alone is sufficient depends entirely on your employer’s requirements and the regional authority handling your visa.
To avoid delays, always confirm with your employer or recruitment agency which legalisation route to follow before submitting your documents.
What Needs to Be Attested?
If you’re applying for a teaching job in Saudi Arabia, expect to attest:
· Your Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree Certificate
· Your Academic Transcript
· Your National Police Certificate
· Professional teaching qualifications (e.g. graduate diplomas, state registration)
· Letters of experience or statements of service from previous schools
· Job offer or employment contract
Some schools may also request notarised passport copies, especially when processing sponsorship paperwork.
Don’t Risk Rejection—Let Authentifier Handle It
Navigating the legalisation process for Saudi Arabia can be time-consuming and confusing—especially with varying requirements across employers and provinces. Authentifier offers complete support for both Apostille-only and embassy-legalisation pathways.
We help you avoid unnecessary rejections or resubmissions by verifying your employer’s requirements early. Plus, our secure online system, real-time updates, and expert staff make the experience smooth and reliable.
Let Authentifier manage your academic document legalisation—so you can focus on the exciting move ahead. Whether you’re teaching in Riyadh, Jeddah, or elsewhere, we’ll make sure your paperwork is accepted the first time, every time.
