Saudization or Nitaqat is a national strategy launched by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. It requires private-sector companies to hire a specified percentage of Saudi nationals based on industry and company size. The aim is to reduce unemployment and support Vision 2030 by building a knowledge-based economy.
Nitaqat Colour Bands
Companies are classified into six tiers based on Saudization performance:
- Platinum – Highest compliance
- High Green – Above-average compliance
- Medium Green – Compliant
- Low Green – Below target
- Yellow – Poor compliance
- Red – Non-compliant
Higher-tier companies benefit from faster visa processing and easier labor approvals, while lower-tier companies face penalties, work restrictions, and potential license suspension.
Why It Matters in 2025: Key Updates
Saudi Arabia is enforcing new Saudization rules in 2025:
- July 27, 2025: 30% Saudization in technical engineering roles.
- April & October 2025: Health roles in labs, radiology, therapy, and nutrition to meet 64–80% quotas.
- More roles in customer service, HR, and retail now exclusively for Saudi nationals.
More at: Arab Local.
What Expats Should Know
- Expats face more competition in administrative and customer-facing roles.
- Skilled professionals remain in demand in IT, healthcare, engineering, and education.
- Skill-based visas now categorize expats into high-skilled, skilled, and basic tiers.
What Employers Must Do
- Meet sector-specific Saudization quotas set by MHRSD annually.
- Stay updated on company classification via Qiwa.
- Hire Saudis for mandated roles; bring in expats for niche skills.
Real-World Sector Examples
Tourism & Hospitality
41 professions including hotel managers and receptionists must now be localized.
Healthcare
Saudization in radiology, labs, nutrition therapy, and physiotherapy is being accelerated.
Engineering & Procurement
Sales roles require 15% Saudization, procurement 50%, project management 35%.
Tips for Different Audiences
Job Seekers (Saudi Nationals)
- Focus on HR, sales, customer service roles.
- Use platforms like Qiwa and Taqat to find jobs and training.
Expats
- Specialize in high-demand sectors like IT, engineering, and healthcare.
- Apply for high-skilled visa tiers for easier renewal and compliance.
Employers
- Align hiring with annual Saudization targets.
- Train Saudi employees for growth and compliance.
- Monitor your Nitaqat status via Qiwa.
