Quick answer
To work as a nurse in Saudi Arabia, Kenyan nurses need a valid Nursing Council of Kenya licence, a Mumaris Plus account with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, DataFlow verification and a pass in the SCFHS Prometric exam. Government drives are advertised on the NEA jobs portal; recent adverts offered SAR 2,200 to SAR 4,110 a month.
Updated 18 October 2026
Kenyan nurses can apply for jobs in Saudi Arabia in two main ways: through government-to-government recruitment drives run by the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, or through a recruitment agency licensed by the National Employment Authority (NEA). Either way, you will need to be registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya, pass the Saudi licensing exam taken through Prometric, and have your certificates verified by DataFlow. This guide explains each requirement, what recent Kenyan adverts have offered, how to apply and how to avoid fake recruiters.
In this guide
Nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia at a glance
| Requirement | What it means |
|---|---|
| Kenyan licence | Registered and licensed with the Nursing Council of Kenya, in good standing |
| Saudi licensing body | Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) |
| Registration platform | Mumaris Plus, the SCFHS online system |
| Certificate check | DataFlow primary source verification of your education, licence and experience |
| Exam | SCFHS nursing exam taken at a Prometric centre |
| Where Kenyan drives are advertised | NEA jobs portal (NEAIMS), under government-to-government adverts |
| Other documents | Valid passport, police clearance certificate, medical fitness report |
Who can apply
Every Saudi employer sets its own criteria, but the adverts placed by Kenya’s State Department for Labour and Skills Development give a good picture of what is expected. A September 2026 call for specialist nurses to work in Saudi government hospitals asked for:
- Female Kenyan citizens under 45 years old who are medically fit.
- A Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or a nursing and midwifery diploma of at least three years after secondary school.
- Registration and a valid licence with the Nursing Council of Kenya, in good standing.
- A valid Kenyan passport and a police clearance certificate.
- Hands-on hospital experience, for example in inpatient wards, the emergency room or the ICU.
- Good written and spoken English.
- Valid Prometric results, or willingness to sit the exam in Kenya or in Saudi Arabia.
- A DataFlow verification report for your education certificate and your Nursing Council licence or latest employment certificate.
An earlier drive for nurses and health care assistants in Saudi private hospitals, also advertised by the State Department, set different experience rules by qualification: at least two years of continuous work for degree nurses, one year for certificate nurses, and no experience required for diploma holders. That advert asked for applicants aged 22 to 35. Always read the specific advert, because age limits, experience and gender requirements change from drive to drive.
What recent adverts have paid
Salaries in Saudi Arabia are quoted in riyals (SAR). The figures below are the minimums stated in State Department adverts. The KSh amounts are approximate, worked out at the Kenya Revenue Authority’s exchange rate of KSh 34.61 to one riyal for the week of 19 October 2026.
| Advert and role | Minimum monthly pay | Approximate KSh |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist nurse, Saudi government hospitals (September 2026) | SAR 4,110 basic, plus SAR 295 for each year of experience | KSh 142,000, plus about KSh 10,200 a year of experience |
| Degree nurse, private sector drive | SAR 3,500 | KSh 121,000 |
| Diploma nurse, private sector drive | SAR 3,000 | KSh 104,000 |
| Certificate nurse, private sector drive | SAR 2,200 | KSh 76,000 |
The specialist nurse advert offered a one-year renewable contract, eight-hour working days, paid annual leave with a free return economy ticket, and overtime under Saudi labour law. The private sector drive offered two-year renewable contracts and a return air ticket. Accommodation, transport and medical cover depend on the employer, so confirm them in writing before you sign.
How to apply for nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia, step by step
- Get your Kenyan papers in order. Make sure your Nursing Council of Kenya licence is current, your passport is valid, and you have a recent police clearance certificate. Our guides on how to apply for a Kenyan passport and how to apply for a certificate of good conduct cover both.
- Create a Mumaris Plus account. Mumaris Plus is the online system of the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. SCFHS lists the documents it needs for professional classification, including your qualification, academic transcript, clinical training certificate, your licence from your home country and a copy of your passport.
- Complete DataFlow verification. SCFHS requires your certificates, licence and experience letters to be confirmed directly with the issuing institutions by its authenticating company, DataFlow. Start early, because verification depends on how fast your college, the Nursing Council and past employers respond.
- Book and pass the SCFHS nursing exam. The exam is taken at a Prometric centre. Prometric says results are posted on the SCFHS portal within 7 to 10 working days. Check the SCFHS minimum qualification list before booking so you pick the right exam category. Degree nurses are usually classified as nurse specialists and diploma nurses as nurse technicians.
- Apply for a job. For government drives, register on the NEA jobs portal and apply under the government-to-government adverts. Some drives, such as the September 2026 specialist nurse call, also require you to apply on the Saudi Ministry of Health recruitment platform, and say you must apply on both. For private recruitment, use only an agency licensed by NEA.
- Medical test and visa. Once you have an offer, you do a medical examination at a centre approved for Gulf countries, sign your contract and your employer processes your work visa.
Using a recruitment agency safely
Most complaints about jobs in Saudi Arabia involve unlicensed agents. Before you pay anything, confirm the agency is accredited and its status is valid; our guide on how to check if a recruitment agency is licensed by NEA shows how. Be wary of anyone who asks you to travel on a visit visa, keeps your passport, or cannot show a written offer naming the hospital. Government drives do not charge you to apply, and the September 2026 advert said the Prometric fee could be deducted from your salary in three instalments rather than paid up front. Our wider guide to jobs in Saudi Arabia for Kenyans covers contracts, documents and where to get help from the Kenyan embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah.
Tips that improve your chances
- Get specialised experience. ICU, emergency, theatre, neonatal and dialysis experience are frequently requested for specialist roles.
- Keep experience letters detailed. Letters should show your job title, ward, dates and hospital stamp, because DataFlow verifies them.
- Prepare for the exam properly. Use the official SCFHS exam blueprint and practice exams rather than paying for “guaranteed pass” packages.
- Watch for new drives. Government calls are announced on the NEA portal and the State Department’s channels, and are often shared on jobinkenya.co.ke.
If you are still training, our guide to the cost of studying nursing in Kenya and the nursing cut-off points help you plan the route to a degree or diploma that Saudi employers recognise.
Frequently asked questions
Can a diploma nurse from Kenya work in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Diploma nurses are usually classified as nurse technicians by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. One Kenyan government drive accepted diploma holders with no work experience.
Do Kenyan nurses need to pass Prometric to work in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. You need a valid SCFHS exam result taken through Prometric. Some Kenyan drives let you sit it after selection, in Kenya or in Saudi Arabia.
How much do Kenyan nurses earn in Saudi Arabia?
Recent Kenyan government adverts offered minimums of SAR 2,200 to SAR 4,110 a month depending on qualification and role, roughly KSh 76,000 to KSh 142,000 at October 2026 exchange rates.
Where are government nursing jobs in Saudi Arabia advertised?
On the National Employment Authority jobs portal under government-to-government adverts, and sometimes also on the Saudi Ministry of Health recruitment platform.
Are men eligible for Kenyan nursing drives to Saudi Arabia?
Recent government drives were open to female nurses only. Private employers may set different criteria, so read each advert.
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