Skyline in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia | Saudization rate to increase for technical engineering professions in 2027

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced that the Saudization rate for 94 technical engineering professions in private sector establishments will increase to 35%, effective May 9, 2027.

Key takeaways:

The new 35% Saudization requirement will apply to private sector establishments that employ five or more workers in the covered technical engineering professions.

The targeted professions include:

  • Civil, electrical, mechanical and electronic engineering technicians
  • Surveying technicians, mechanical maintenance technicians and architectural draftsmen
  • Other technical engineering occupations

The ministry has published a procedural guide detailing the covered occupations, calculation of Saudization rates, implementation requirements and compliance controls.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2026 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.