SaudizationDriving Economic Growth with Local Talent

What is Saudization?

Saudization, or the Nitaqat program, is a transformative initiative designed to boost employment rates among Saudi nationals within the private sector. It’s envisioned as both a solution toward economic stability and progressive development, as well as a commitment to local talents and to ensuring they play the biggest role in shaping Saudi’s future.

To make this vision a reality, companies in Saudi Arabia are required to remain compliant by meeting a specified quota of employing Saudi nationals, which ensures the workforce is a cooperative mix of local and international expertise.

Meeting Saudization requirements is an opportunity for businesses to position themselves strategically in Saudi’s rapidly evolving market. It also helps build the perception that the company is not only invested in profits but wants to contribute to the nation’s socio-economic development.

Saudization rates and reserved jobs

So, what does this mean for your business? What is the Saudization ratio you need to follow?

Calculating Saudization rates is an intricate process assessed based on three factors:

• Saudization Percentage (Saudi Employees)
• Entity Size (Total Employees)
• Entity Classification (Activities)

For example:

• For international companies entering Saudi, their second employee after the General Manager must be Saudi national.
• 1 Saudi national is sufficient up until 5 total employees in the company
• Companies with more than 100 employees must have a Saudization rate of at least 30%.
• There are certain roles and function where 100% saudization is required

(the above can also vary per sector or license type)

Other interesting facts about Saudization quotas

• Companies not meeting the Saudization ratio and other requirements are not able to attain the Saudization certificate which is mandatory for bidding on Etimad and other public sector projects.
• There is no difference in quotas for men and women
• A Saudi employee with salary less than SAR 4,000 is counted only as 0.5 person towards the Saudization quota
• Employing 1 person with disability counts as 4 persons towards the Saudization quota
• All GCC nationals are counted towards the Saudization quota as a Saudi national
• A Saudi employee who is registered under two companies is counted towards the first company’s quota only

The Saudization program (Nitaqat) then assigns organizations a company-specific Nitaqat status. 

Some occupations are reserved for Saudi nationals only, including Senior HR Manager, Personnel Specialist, Recruitment Clerk, Government Relations Officer, Director of Labour Affairs, and more.

Learn more about the Nitaqat Program here.