The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Increases Engineering Saudization Requirement to 30%

Key Point  

• Saudi Arabia has begun enforcing a 30% Saudization requirement for engineering professions in the private sector. 

Engineering Saudization Requirements 

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, has begun implementing a decision to increase the Saudization rate in engineering professions to 30% within the private sector. The measure took effect on June 30, 2026.  

The requirement applies to establishments with five or more employees working in covered engineering occupations, as defined under the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations.  

Which Engineering Roles Are Covered? 

The decision applies to 46 engineering professions, including: 

• Architectural Engineers; 
• Power Generation Engineers; 
• Industrial Engineers; 
• Electronics Engineers; 
• Vehicle Engineers; 
• Marine Engineers; 
• Sanitary Engineers; 
• Technical Production Engineers; 
• Website Design Engineers; 
• Oil and Gas Engineers; 
• Research and Development Engineers; and 
• Aeronautical Engineers.  

Compliance Measures 

MHRSD announced that inspection teams have begun monitoring implementation of the new requirement and verifying that employers meet the prescribed Saudization percentage for covered engineering positions.  

The ministry also confirmed that statutory penalties may be applied against employers that fail to comply with the requirements following the applicable implementation period.  

Government Objectives 

According to the government, the increased Saudization requirement is intended to: 

• Support Saudi workforce participation in engineering professions; 
• Increase employment opportunities for qualified Saudi nationals; 
• Align workforce needs with labor market strategy objectives; and 
• Strengthen localization efforts across the engineering sector.  

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