Saudi Arabia will increase the Saudisation rate across 94 technical engineering occupations in private sector establishments to 35% from May 9, 2027, under a new decision announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in partnership with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.
Announced on November 8, 2026, the decision is part of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to localise specialised occupations, strengthen national talent capabilities and increase the participation of Saudi nationals in the labour market, in line with the Labour Market Strategy and Saudi Vision 2030.
The new requirement will apply to all private sector establishments employing five or more workers in the targeted occupations. The 35% Saudisation rate will be calculated at the establishment entity level, in accordance with the ministry's procedural guide.
The 94 occupations covered by the decision include civil engineering technicians, electrical engineering technicians, mechanical engineering technicians, electronics engineering technicians, surveying technicians, mechanical maintenance technicians and architectural draftsmen, among other technical engineering roles classified under the Saudi Unified Classification of Occupations.
To support employers in meeting the new requirements, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development will provide a package of incentives and support programmes covering recruitment, training, qualification, employment and job retention. Eligible establishments will also receive priority access to available Saudisation support programmes.
The ministry has published a procedural guide on its website detailing the occupations covered, implementation mechanisms, Saudisation rate calculations and compliance requirements to help private sector employers prepare for the changes.
The decision builds on the government's wider efforts to localise specialised roles, expand employment opportunities for Saudi men and women, strengthen national workforce capabilities and improve labour market efficiency as the Kingdom advances its Vision 2030 objectives.