Saudization Rate for Technical Engineering Roles to Rise to 35%

Saudi Arabia will raise the Saudization rate to 35% across 94 technical engineering professions in private sector establishments from May 9th, 2027, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

The decision, issued in partnership with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, will apply to establishments employing five or more workers in the targeted professions. The Saudization rate will be calculated at the establishment level in accordance with the ministry’s procedural guide.

Covered roles include civil engineering technician, electrical engineering technician, mechanical engineering technician, electronic engineering technician, surveying technician, mechanical maintenance technician and architectural draftsman, among other occupations listed under the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations.

The new threshold will replace the current 30% Saudization requirement for technical engineering professions, which came into effect on July 27th, 2025.

The ministry said the measure is intended to increase the participation of Saudi men and women in specialised professions and forms part of wider labour market localisation efforts under Saudi Vision 2030.

To support implementation, the ministry said private sector establishments can access recruitment, training, qualification, employment and job stability programmes, along with priority access to available Saudization incentives.