The required rate will rise to 35%, with implementation scheduled to begin on May 9, 2027, giving covered employers a defined date for preparing their staffing arrangements.

The decision applies to private-sector establishments employing at least five workers in the occupations covered by the measure.

This threshold concerns employees working in the targeted roles, rather than simply the total number of people on an establishment’s payroll across all departments.

The Saudization percentage will be calculated at establishment entity level, subject to the rules and requirements described in the procedural guide.

Covered roles include technicians working in civil, electrical, mechanical and electronic engineering, alongside other specified technical occupations.

Surveying technicians, mechanical maintenance technicians and architectural draftsmen are also among the examples identified in the announcement.

Employers should consult the occupations listed under the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations and the decision’s guide when checking whether particular positions fall within its scope.

Support measures will accompany implementation to help private-sector employers recruit and prepare Saudi professionals for the covered positions.

Available assistance includes recruitment support, training, qualification, employment and measures intended to strengthen job stability for national workers.

Covered establishments will also receive priority access to available Saudization support programmes within the human resources system, as outlined in the announcement.

The ministry has published a procedural guide on its website explaining the covered occupations, implementation arrangements and methods for calculating compliance.

The document also sets out the compliance rules employers need to review when assessing their workforce and preparing for the effective date.

The initiative forms part of wider efforts to increase Saudi participation in specialist employment and support the objectives of the national Labour Market Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.

Sources: Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Sabq, Okaz and Saudi Gazette.