Ministerial decision overview and implementation timeline
In a joint regulatory initiative, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) and the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing announced a landmark decision to raise the Saudization rate to 35% across 94 technical engineering professions in the private sector.
The ministerial resolution officially takes effect on 9 May 2027 following a comprehensive grace period. The mandate aims to stimulate high-skilled employment for qualified Saudi engineering graduates, technicians, and diploma holders in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 industrial goals.
Establishment size criteria: the 5-worker rule
The 35% technical engineering localization quota applies specifically to private-sector establishments that employ 5 or more workers in the targeted technical engineering professions combined.
The quota is calculated at the entity level on the Qiwa platform. For example, a contracting company employing 10 technical engineering staff (such as 4 electrical technicians, 3 civil technicians, and 3 draftsmen) must ensure that at least 4 of those positions (3.5 rounded up to the nearest whole integer) are held by Saudi nationals registered in GOSI.
Small engineering workshops or specialty contractors with 1 to 4 workers in these roles are exempt from the mandatory quota but are incentivized to hire national technicians through government support programs.
Key professions among the 94 targeted technical engineering roles
The decision covers 94 detailed occupational titles categorized under the official Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations. Key targeted roles include:
1. Civil Engineering Technicians: Site inspectors, construction supervisors, structural testing assistants, and roadwork technicians.
2. Electrical Engineering Technicians: Power distribution technicians, electrical wiring supervisors, and control systems assistants.
3. Mechanical Engineering Technicians: HVAC technicians, plant maintenance supervisors, and industrial machinery technicians.
4. Electronic and Telecommunications Technicians: Circuit board specialists, telecom field technicians, and fiber-optic network supervisors.
5. Surveying and Geomatics Technicians: Land surveyors, cadastral mappers, and GPS positioning specialists.
6. Architectural and Engineering Draftsmen: Computer-aided design (CAD) operators and Building Information Modeling (BIM) technicians.
Saudi Council of Engineers accreditation and HADAF support
To be officially counted toward the 35% quota, Saudi technical personnel must hold professional accreditation from the Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) and be actively enrolled under the establishment's GOSI account.
The Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF) provides financial backing through the Employment Support Program, subsidizing 30% to 50% of the Saudi employee’s monthly salary for up to two years, in addition to dedicated vocational training grants.
Implications for expatriate technicians and engineering firms
Expatriate technicians currently on valid contracts can continue their employment, provided their employing company meets the 35% quota ratio on Qiwa.
Establishments that fail to satisfy the 35% threshold by May 2027 face automatic restrictions: their Qiwa file will be blocked from issuing new foreign work permits, transferring technician sponsorships, or renewing Iqamas for non-compliant roles.