Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh

Riyadh, Jan 29: Saudi Arabia has taken a decisive step that is reshaping the private-sector job landscape, particularly for expatriates, by restricting several high-level and commercially critical roles exclusively to Saudi nationals. The move, which took effect on January 29, 2026, has been implemented through the government’s Qiwa platform, the official portal for labour and employment services.

Under the new rules, Qiwa has stopped accepting requests to change or assign expatriates to four specific professions, the most consequential being the complete reservation of the “General Manager” designation for Saudi citizens. Reports citing sources from Okaz and Yemen Press indicate that the title has been entirely removed from residency and work permit options for foreign nationals. Expatriates currently holding the designation have been advised to shift to alternative titles such as “CEO” or “Chairman,” provided they meet stringent commercial registration and regulatory requirements.

The restrictions extend beyond executive leadership into key revenue and operational functions within the private sector. Alongside General Manager, the roles now subject to localization measures include Sales Representative, Marketing Specialist, and Procurement Manager. Sales and marketing positions are now governed by a 60 per cent Saudization requirement, while procurement leadership has been restricted to ensure greater local oversight of supply chains.

From this month onward, companies employing three or more staff in sales or marketing must ensure that at least 60 per cent of those roles are filled by Saudi nationals. To qualify under localization rules, Saudi employees must earn a minimum monthly salary of SAR 5,500 for sales and marketing roles, or SAR 8,000 for engineering and technical positions. Employees who do not meet these salary thresholds will not be counted toward a firm’s Saudization quota.

For expatriate workers, the implications are immediate and far-reaching. Employers are no longer legally permitted to offer, renew, or amend job titles for non-Saudis in fully localized categories, even if a candidate has been selected or interviewed. Once a profession is fully Saudized, the system automatically blocks the issuance or modification of work permits for foreign nationals in that role.

In addition, limits have been placed on the total number of expatriates allowed within certain professions. Once those caps are reached, companies are unable to issue new iqamas for foreign workers, regardless of skill shortages or business demand. Employers that fail to comply risk hiring freezes, financial penalties, and operational disruptions.

The policy shift reflects a broader strategic objective rather than a numerical adjustment. Led by Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi, the government aims to transition Saudi citizens from entry-level roles into strategic, decision-making positions, particularly in leadership and core business functions. By excluding expatriates from titles such as General Manager, authorities are seeking to embed Saudi leadership more deeply within the private sector’s decision-making culture.

This approach is a central pillar of Vision 2030, which seeks to reduce citizen unemployment while creating sustainable, high-quality career pathways that were historically dominated by foreign talent. While existing expatriates in affected roles have been granted a short corrective window to adjust their job classifications, no new visas or profession changes will be approved under the restricted titles. Companies have also been given a three-month grace period to align their staffing structures with the new sales and marketing localization targets.

For expatriate residents, the message is clear: competition for specialised roles will intensify, opportunities at the top will narrow, and Saudi Arabia is firmly prioritising its workforce for the country’s most influential corporate positions.