Saudi Arabia has mandated 100% Saudization of an additional 69 jobs in the private sector.

Saudi Arabia has announced an expansion of its Saudization policy, bringing dozens of additional private sector roles under full localization from April 5, 2026. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) announced that 69 more occupations will be included in the updated decision, all of which will require 100% employment of Saudi citizens. This step involves administrative support roles such as secretarial work, translation, data entry and related tasks in line with the Unified Saudi Occupational Classification. This requirement will apply to all establishments that employ one or more workers in these roles. HRSD has also published a detailed procedural guide on its website, outlining the newly added job titles and implementation mechanisms. The ministry urged companies to comply with the decision to avoid regulatory penalties. The ministry said the update is part of its ongoing efforts to localize specific roles in the private sector. Establishments affected by the decision will be able to benefit from support programs and incentives aimed at facilitating implementation. Saudization is a government initiative aimed at increasing the participation of Saudi citizens in the private sector. It sets recruitment targets for companies to ensure greater participation of local talent in various occupations. The latest move builds on earlier decisions announced in January to increase the level of Saudization in engineering and procurement roles. The Saudization rate for engineering professions will increase to 30 percent, while the minimum monthly wage in the private and non-profit sectors is set at SR8,000. The ministry also implemented a 55 percent Saudization requirement for dental businesses in the private sector from January 27, as part of the second phase of the program. The measure covers 20 dental professions and follows the first phase which introduced a 45 percent target, effective July 27, 2025, in coordination with the Health Ministry.