Saudisation
Also known as: Saudization · السعودة · التوطين
Saudisation, also spelled Saudization, is Saudi Arabia’s policy of increasing the employment of Saudi nationals in the private sector. The Ministry of Human Resources applies it through Nitaqat, which sets the required share of Saudis by activity and size, and through decisions that reserve certain professions or activities for Saudis or set quotas for them.
How it works
Besides the general Nitaqat rate, the ministry issues Saudisation decisions for specific professions and activities, such as some sales, accounting, health and engineering roles, setting the required share and the start date. The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) supports training and hiring Saudis through several programmes.
What it means for HR
- Plan for next year’s required rate, not only today’s.
- Track profession-specific decisions that touch your activity; they apply on top of Nitaqat.
- Compare the cost: a Saudi hire with available support against an expatriate hire with the expat levy.
Compare the two with the Saudisation cost calculator.
Official sources
This is general information to help you understand the topic. It is not legal advice. Rules and rates change: always check the official text on the relevant authority’s platform and consult a qualified adviser before acting.
