The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) recently announced decisions to increase Saudization rates in several more professions.
On December 31, 2025, MHRSD increased Saudization in engineering professions to 30% and raised the minimum wage to SAR 8000 in the private and non-profit sectors. This applies to establishments with five or more employees in 46 specified roles, including architect, power generation engineer, and industrial engineer, with accreditation from the Saudi Council of Engineers required. Implementation will begin six months after the decision became effective.
MHRSD increased Saudization to 70% in procurement professions within the private sector, effective November 31, 2025. This decision applies to establishments employing three or more workers in 12 key roles, such as procurement manager, contracts manager, and warehouse keeper. This decision also allows a six-month preparation period before enforcement.
On January 19, 2026, the Ministry increased the Saudization rate in private-sector marketing professions to 60% for establishments with three or more employees. It covers roles such as marketing and advertising managers, specialists, designers, public relations professionals, and photographers, and will be implemented three months after the announcement.
On the same day, MHRSD raised the Saudization rate for private-sector sales positions to 60% for establishments with three or more employees. This covers roles including sales managers, retail and wholesale sales representatives, IT and communications equipment sales specialists, and commercial specialists, and will take effect three months after the announcement.
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Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.