Saudi Arabia has accelerated its workforce localisation agenda with a series of increasingly broad and sector-specific Saudisation decisions, culminating in early 2026 with new mandates covering marketing and sales professions.
Led by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), the measures form part of a sustained policy effort to increase Saudi participation in private sector employment, raise job quality, and strengthen labor market stability.
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Over the past two years, the government has introduced phased Saudisation requirements across healthcare, engineering, procurement, tourism, aviation, accounting, pharmacy, and technical professions. The approach combines mandatory localisation ratios, minimum wage thresholds, professional accreditation requirements, and strict compliance frameworks, signaling a structural shift in private sector workforce composition under Vision 2030.
Sales and marketing added to Saudisation framework in 2026
The latest expansion of the Saudisation program came on January 19, 2026, when HRSD announced two new decisions targeting marketing and sales professions in the private sector, a Saudi Press Agency report said.
Under the first decision, Saudisation rates for marketing professions were raised to 60 per cent for establishments employing three or more workers. The decision applies to a broad range of roles, including marketing and advertising managers, specialists, designers, public relations professionals, and photographers. The second decision set an identical 60 per cent Saudisation requirement for sales professions, covering sales managers, retail and wholesale sales representatives, IT and communications equipment sales specialists, and commercial specialists.
Both decisions are scheduled to be implemented three months after the announcement. According to the ministry, the measures aim to enhance the attractiveness of the labor market, create quality job opportunities, and promote long-term job stability for qualified Saudi nationals.
Engineering and procurement localisation intensifies
Earlier in January 2026, HRSD introduced additional localisation requirements targeting engineering and procurement professions, further reinforcing Saudisation across technical and operational roles.
Announced on January 4, 2026, the first decision raised Saudisation in engineering professions to 30 per cent and increased the minimum monthly wage to SAR8,000. The measure applies to private and non-profit sector establishments employing five or more workers across 46 engineering roles, including architect, power generation engineer, and industrial engineer. Professional accreditation from the Saudi Council of Engineers is required, with implementation beginning six months after issuance.
The second decision raised Saudisation in procurement professions to 70 per cent, effective November 30, 2025. It applies to private sector establishments with three or more employees across 12 roles, including procurement manager, contracts manager, and warehouse keeper. A six-month preparation period was provided before enforcement.
HRSD stated that these measures aim to expand job opportunities, improve the work environment, and increase Saudi participation in vital economic sectors.
Tourism sector faces new localisation obligations
In October 2025, the Saudisation drive extended beyond profession-based quotas to operational compliance requirements in the tourism sector.
On October 15, 2025, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb approved new policies governing worker registration and job localization in licensed tourism facilities across the Kingdom. The regulations require establishments to register all employees within HRSD systems before commencing work and to document all contractual, seconded, or seasonal employment through the Ajeer platform or other approved systems.
Facilities operating multiple licensed branches must register employees under the specific facility file linked to each tourism license. Notably, all tourism hospitality facilities are required to have a Saudi receptionist present during working hours. The regulations also prohibit outsourcing positions subject to Saudisation decisions to entities or workers outside the Kingdom.
Authorities emphasised that compliance would be closely monitored, with penalties imposed in coordination with relevant government agencies.
Second phase of healthcare Saudisation implemented nationwide
Two days later, on October 17, 2025, HRSD and the Ministry of Health implemented the second phase of Saudisation for four healthcare professions in the private sector.
The decision raised Saudisation targets to 80 per cent for therapeutic nutrition and physiotherapy, 70 per cent for medical laboratories, and 65 per cent for radiology. Minimum monthly wages were set at SAR7,000 for specialists and SAR5,000 for technicians.
The measure followed the initial phase launched earlier in the year and was framed as part of efforts to enhance national competencies, expand job opportunities, and support the Health Sector Transformation Program. Procedural guidelines were published to clarify compliance requirements.
Initial healthcare rollout began in April 2025
The healthcare localisation initiative began on April 17, 2025, when HRSD and the Ministry of Health announced the first phase of increased Saudisation across the same four professions.
This initial phase targeted major cities, including Riyadh, Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, Dammam, and Al Khobar, as well as large and mega-sized companies in other regions. Saudisation rates were set at 65 per cent for radiology, 80 per cent for clinical nutrition and physiotherapy, and 70 per cent for medical laboratory professions.
The ministries confirmed at the time that a second phase covering remaining establishments would begin on October 17, 2025.
Pharmacy, dentistry, and engineering Saudisation takes effect
On July 27, 2025, HRSD implemented additional Saudisation decisions in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, targeting pharmacy, dentistry, and technical engineering professions.
Pharmacy professions were assigned Saudisation targets of 35 per cent in community pharmacies and medical complexes, 65 per cent in hospital pharmacy activities, and 55 per cent in other pharmacy-related roles, applying to establishments with five or more employees. A minimum salary of SAR7,000 was required for inclusion.
Dentistry professions were set at a 45 per cent Saudisation rate in the first phase, with a minimum salary threshold of SAR9,000. Technical engineering roles were assigned a 30 per cent Saudisation requirement for establishments with five or more employees, with a minimum salary of SAR5,000.
Broader localisation framework covering 269 professions
These decisions followed a broader announcement made on January 26, 2025, when HRSD issued localisation measures covering 269 professions across multiple sectors.
The framework included phased Saudisation for pharmacy, dentistry, accounting, and technical engineering roles. Accounting professions were scheduled to begin localization on October 22, 2025, starting at a 40 per cent Saudisation rate and increasing gradually to 70% over five years. HRSD stated that the measures were designed to expand employment opportunities across all regions of the Kingdom and support Vision 2030 objectives.
Aviation Saudisation set the early template
The localisation drive gained early momentum in March 2024 with the implementation of the second phase of Saudisation for licensed aviation professions.
Effective March 4, 2024, the decision targeted private sector establishments employing five or more workers in aviation roles, setting Saudisation rates of 60 per cent for flight attendants and 70 per cent for fixed-wing pilots. Professional accreditation from the General Authority of Civil Aviation was required, and procedural guides were issued to support implementation.
