Politics · Saudi Arabia · 3 hrs ago
Saudi Arabia to require 35% Saudization in 94 engineering professions
Saudi Arabia will raise the Saudization rate to 35% in 94 technical engineering professions from May 9, 2027.
The rule covers private-sector establishments with five or more workers in the listed professions, including civil, electrical and mechanical engineering technicians.
The required share is calculated at the establishment level, rather than separately for each job title.
The current requirement is 30%, and the new rate increases it by five percentage points.
The government says the change aims to increase Saudi participation in specialized jobs and support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
Employers will be offered help with recruitment, training and job stability, along with access to Saudization support programs.
A procedural guide explains the covered occupations, how to calculate the rate and what employers must do to comply.
Saudi Arabia will require private-sector establishments to localize 35% of 94 technical engineering professions from May 9, 2027.
The rule applies to establishments with five or more workers in the targeted professions, with the rate calculated at establishment level.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced the decision with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing.
The targeted professions include civil, electrical, mechanical and electronic engineering technicians, surveyors and architectural draftsmen.
The ministry says it will offer support for recruitment, training, qualification, employment and job stability.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, in partnership with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, announced the decision.
- What
- The Saudization rate for 94 technical engineering professions will rise to 35% in covered private-sector establishments.
- When
- The requirement takes effect on May 9, 2027.
- Where
- Private-sector establishments in Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- To increase national talent’s participation in specialized professions and support Saudi Vision 2030.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A 30% Saudization requirement for technical engineering professions took effect at private-sector establishments with five or more workers in those professions.
The ministries announced that the required rate would rise to 35%.
The 35% requirement is scheduled to take effect.
- Targeted professions
- 94 technical engineering professions
- New Saudization rate
- 35%
- Effective date
- May 9, 2027
- Establishment threshold
- Five or more workers in the targeted professions
- Previous rate
- 30%, effective July 27, 2025