Saudization Jobs 2026: Full List of Jobs Reserved for Saudi Nationals Only – No Expats Hired

Last updated: Apr 20, 2026

Saudi Arabia has expanded Saudization rules across multiple fields in 2026.

Some roles are fully reserved for Saudi nationals, while others are subject to higher localization quotas announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD).

If you’re an expat working in the Kingdom or planning to, here’s a breakdown of the affected fields and the roles or categories.

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Administrative Support — 69 Professions Now 100% Saudi-Only

Saudi Gazette reported that HRSD updated the administrative support localization decision in the private sector, adding 69 professions to the list of occupations that will be Saudized 100 percent, effective 5 April 2026.

19 professions were Saudized immediately and the remaining 50 professions were given a six-month grace period.

Employers should still consult the updated HRSD procedural guide for the formal occupation mapping, implementation mechanisms, and compliance details before publication.

Phase 1 — 19 Professions (Effective Immediately, 5 April 2026)

These roles are already Saudi-only with no grace period:

Human Resources Clerk
Labour Affairs Manager
Personnel Manager
Secretary
Executive Secretary
Stenographer
Typist
Data Entry Operator
Translator
Interpreter
Language Specialist
Cashier
Storekeeper
Customs Broker
Hotel Receptionist
Patient Receptionist
Complaints Clerk
Bodyguard
Security Guard

Phase 2 — 50 Professions (Compliance Deadline: 4 October 2026)

The remaining 50 professions have a six-month grace period, giving employers until October 2026 to replace expat workers with Saudi nationals.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, these additional roles span secretarial work, clerical support, translation services, data entry, and broader administrative functions.

Employers should consult the HRSD procedural guide for the full Phase 2 list mapped to the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations.

Marketing Professions — 60% Saudization

Marketing roles in the private sector now require a 60% Saudi staffing ratio. HRSD announced the decision on 19 January 2026 with a three-month transition, and the 60% requirement came into force on 19 April 2026.

This applies to establishments employing three or more workers in marketing positions.

The minimum monthly salary for counted Saudi employees is SAR 5,500. The affected roles include:

Marketing Manager
Marketing Specialist
Advertising Manager
Advertising Agent
Advertising Designer
Advertising and Promotion Specialist
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Manager
Graphic Designer
Photographer

This is a quota requirement, not a blanket ban. Employers can still hire expats in these roles, but at least 60% of marketing staff must be Saudi nationals.

Sales Professions — 60% Saudization

Sales roles follow the same 60% Saudization rate. HRSD announced the decision on 19 January 2026 with a three-month transition, and the 60% requirement came into force on 19 April 2026.

The threshold is the same: establishments with three or more workers in sales positions.

The affected roles include:

Sales Manager
Sales Specialist
Sales Representative
Retail Sales Representative
Wholesale Sales Representative
ICT Sales Specialist
Commercial Specialist
Commodity Broker

Tourism Professions — 41 Roles in Three Phases

The HRSD and Ministry of Tourism are localizing 41 tourism professions in a phased rollout running from April 2026 to January 2028.

Saudization percentages vary by role and phase.

If you work in hotels in Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, or any other Saudi city, check which phase your role falls under.

Phase 1 — Effective 22 April 2026

100% Saudi-only (4 roles):

Receptionist
Information Clerk
Hotel Receptionist
Call Centre Agent

70% Saudization (12 roles) — including:

Branch Manager
Tour Guide
Tourist Guidance Specialist
Site Guide
Tour Organizer
Planning and Development Manager
Tourism Development Specialist
Hospitality Specialist
Travel Agency Manager
Hotel Operations Manager
Hotel Audit Manager
Procurement Specialist (tourism sector)

50% Saudization (12 roles) — including:

Tourist Agent
Sales Representative (tourism sector)
Sales Specialist (tourism sector)
Reservation Clerk

Phase 2 — Effective 3 January 2027

30% Saudization applies to chef roles within the tourism and hospitality sector.

Phase 3 — Effective 2 January 2028

50% Saudization extends to senior leadership roles, including Hotel Manager, Sales Manager, and equivalent positions in the tourism sector.

The HRSD has published a detailed procedural guide on its website outlining exact professions, Saudization ratios, and penalties for non-compliance.

Engineering Professions — 30% Saudization

The Saudization rate for 46 engineering professions has been raised to 30%, with a compliance deadline of 30 June 2026. This applies to private-sector and non-profit establishments employing five or more accredited engineers.

The minimum monthly salary for counted Saudi engineers is SAR 8,000 (approximately USD 2,130). Engineers must also be registered with the Saudi Council of Engineers.

The 46 roles include specialisations such as:

Architectural Engineer
Civil Engineer
Industrial Engineer
Production Engineer
Power Generation Engineer
Electronics Engineer
Environmental Engineer
Oil Engineer
Vehicle Engineer
Marine Engineer
Sanitary Engineer
General Industrial Engineer

The full list of 46 engineering professions is available in the HRSD procedural manual for engineering Saudization.

Procurement Professions — 70% Saudization

Procurement roles face one of the highest quota requirements at 70% Saudization. The decision was originally announced on 30 November 2025, with a six-month grace period. The compliance deadline is 30 May 2026.

It applies to establishments employing three or more workers in the covered procurement professions. The 12 affected roles are:

Procurement Manager
Purchasing Officer
Contracts Manager
Warehouse Supervisor
Warehouse Manager
Warehouse Specialist
Logistics Services Manager
Tenders Specialist
Procurement Specialist
E-Commerce Specialist
Market Research Specialist
Private-Label Sourcing Specialist

What This Means if You’re Considering to Work in Saudi Arabia

This is not a blanket ban on expat employment in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom still employs millions of foreign workers across its economy.

What has changed is that specific job titles are now either fully reserved for Saudis or subject to strict hiring quotas.

If your current role falls under one of the listed professions, check with your employer whether your position is affected. Employers are responsible for mapping internal job titles to the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations and ensuring compliance by the relevant deadline.

For expats considering a move to Saudi Arabia, the restrictions are role-specific, not sector-wide. Many technical, specialist, and senior positions remain open to international hires.

For the latest updates and procedural guides, visit the HRSD website or the Qiwa platform.

Sources

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