If your firm handles immigration, you already know the Latin America to Spain flow. The one you are probably not billing is the fastest-growing: Latin America and Asia to the Gulf. Saudi Arabia today employs around 320,000 expatriate health professionals against some 135,000 locals, and Vision 2030 estimates an additional need of between 300,000 and 500,000 international professionals through 2030.
Each of those professionals needs the same thing: a visa, a professional license, and verified credentials. The question is who bills them for the support.
Why the Gulf is different (and why that works for you)
In the Gulf there is no "homologation" in the Spanish sense: each regulator requires its own professional license process — the SCFHS in Saudi Arabia, DHA, DOH and MOHAP in the UAE — always preceded by a Primary Source Verification (PSV) of each credential. It is a technical, document-heavy process with zero room for improvisation.
That makes it unmanageable for the client alone — and perfect as a firm service:
- The time to the Saudi license is 3 to 5 months depending on the specialty, depending on the regulator.
- The PSV takes 15 to 45 days and every name or date inconsistency restarts it.