Saudi Arabia Mandates 100% Saudisation For 69 Administrative Professions Barring Foreign Workers

Saudi Arabia's new labor policy reserves 69 administrative roles for nationals. Foreign workers, including Kenyans, have until October 2026 to vacate positions.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 11:20 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from TUKO

Saudi Arabia Accelerates Nationalisation Of Private Sector Administrative Roles

In a major shift for the Gulf nation’s labor market, Saudi Arabia has officially expanded its Saudisation programme to include 69 administrative support professions. Under Circular No. 278, signed by Minister Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development now mandates 100% local employment for these specific roles. The decision, which became effective on April 5, 2026, is a direct component of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy to reduce reliance on foreign expertise and prioritize the domestic workforce. This policy effectively bars foreign nationals from new or continued employment in these sectors across all private establishments.

Extensive List Of Reserved Professions For National Workforce

The updated procedural guide covers a vast spectrum of corporate and logistical roles, ranging from high-level management to entry-level clerical work. Specifically reserved positions include human resources managers, recruiters, public relations officers, and administrative assistants. The ban also extends to more technical support roles such as data entry clerks, translators, warehouse supervisors, and call center agents. According to the ministry, any private sector establishment operating within the Kingdom that employs workers under these 69 job titles must comply with the full nationalisation mandate or face significant legal repercussions.

Implementation Timeline And Six Month Grace Period For Employers

While the ministerial decision was issued and published on April 5, 2026, the government has provided a staggered implementation schedule for the affected workforce. Some professions are subject to immediate enforcement, but the majority of the 69 roles have been granted a six-month grace period. This transition window, which concludes on October 4, 2026, is intended to allow companies sufficient time to recruit Saudi nationals and terminate or reassign their current foreign staff. Following this deadline, the ministry has warned that non-compliant firms will be subject to the full extent of Saudi labor penalties.