Saudi update / Employment
Technical engineering Saudization in Saudi Arabia: 35% from May 2027
If your business employs five or more people in the 94 listed technical engineering occupations, prepare to meet a 35% Saudization requirement from 9 May 2027. MHRSD announced the change on 8 November, giving employers six months to prepare.
Technicians and engineers follow different rules. This 35% decision covers the 94 listed technical engineering occupations, including technicians and related roles. The separate rule for 46 professional engineering occupations is 30%, effective since 30 June 2026.
Who it applies to
- Private-sector employers with at least five employees across the covered occupations. This is not a five-person threshold for the whole workforce.
- Roles include civil, electrical and mechanical engineering technicians, surveyors, maintenance technicians and architectural drafters. Check the official occupation codes; the examples are not the full list.
- The percentage applies across the covered roles at the employer's entity level. Ask HR to confirm which branches belong to that entity before calculating.
What employers should do now
Identify the employees included
HR should compare employee occupation codes with the list on pages 4–6 of the official guide. Check actual duties too, and correct mismatched records.
Calculate the hiring gap
For illustration, a fixed workforce of 20 covered employees needs seven Saudis to reach 35%. Recalculate if the headcount changes.
Check professional accreditation
Confirm Saudi Council of Engineers accreditation for employees whose occupations require it. Resolve missing or expired accreditation before the deadline.
Plan recruitment and training
Agree the roles, budget and hiring dates now. Before 9 May, check GOSI employee records and confirm the entity meets the requirement. Keep the calculation and accreditation records with HR.
Two points to check
This quota applies separately from Nitaqat. A satisfactory Nitaqat band does not replace it. If another applicable localization decision requires a higher percentage, the higher rate applies.