Saudization Calendar 2026 to 2028: Key Effective Dates
The next Saudization date is 27 October 2026, when accounting rises to 50%. After that come 18 November 2026 (gyms and sports centers, 15%), 3 January 2027 (tourism phase 2), 14 February 2027 (project management, 70%), 27 October 2027 (accounting, 60%), 2 January 2028 (tourism phase 3) and 27 October 2028 (accounting, 70%). The Developed Nitaqat cycle runs from April 2026 to December 2028. The last grace period to end was administrative support on 4 October 2026.
This calendar lists every verified Saudization date from 2026 to 2028 in one table, sorted by date. It covers decision dates, announcements, effective dates, grace period ends and the Nitaqat cycle. Status is shown as of 8 October 2026. For what each rule says, see Saudization in 2026 and Saudization in 2027.
What are the Saudization dates from 2026 to 2028?
The table below is the master list. "Effective" means the date a rule becomes enforceable after any grace period.
| Date | Type | Rule | What happens | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Jul 2025 | Effective | Pharmacy | 35% to 65% by pharmacy setting, for establishments with 5+ workers in pharmacy professions | Past |
| 27 Oct 2025 | Effective | Accounting | Phase 1: 40% for establishments with 5+ accountants | Past |
| 4 Jan 2026 | Announcement | Engineering and procurement | MHRSD publishes the decisions in Arabic (English version 21 January); decisions dated 31 December 2025 and 30 November 2025 | Past |
| January 2026 | Publication | Developed Nitaqat | MHRSD publishes the 2026 edition of the procedural guide | Past |
| 19 Jan 2026 | Decision and announcement | Marketing and sales | Decisions dated and announced 19 January 2026 (English version 26 January), with a three-month grace period | Past |
| 27 Jan 2026 | Effective | Dentistry | Phase 2 takes effect: 55%, up from 45% | Past |
| 1 Feb 2026 | Effective | Housing supervisors | 100% in collective housing for 20+ residents | Past |
| April 2026 | Cycle start | Developed Nitaqat | The 2026 to 2028 cycle begins | Past |
| 5 Apr 2026 | Effective | Administrative support | 100% for the first group of the 69 professions | Past |
| 19 Apr 2026 | Effective | Marketing and sales | 60% each, after a three-month grace period; marketing needs SAR 5,500 | Past |
| 22 Apr 2026 | Effective | Tourism | Phase 1 of 41 professions begins | Past |
| 11 May 2026 | Effective | Wellness centers and spas | 100% for administrative roles, 30 job titles | Past |
| 31 May 2026 | Effective | Procurement | 70% for 12 professions | Past |
| 18 Jun 2026 | Announcement | Procurement | MHRSD publishes news on implementation of the 70% rate | Past |
| 30 Jun 2026 | Effective | Engineering | 30% for 46 professions; SAR 8,000 and Saudi Council of Engineers accreditation | Past |
| 13 Aug 2026 | Decision | Project management | Ministerial Decision No. 41454 issued | Past |
| 16 Aug 2026 | Announcement | Project management | MHRSD announces the 70% rate and publishes the procedural guide | Past |
| 4 Oct 2026 | Grace period ends | Administrative support | Grace period for the select group of remaining professions ends | Past |
| 27 Oct 2026 | Effective | Accounting | Phase 2: 50% | Upcoming |
| 18 Nov 2026 | Effective | Gyms and sports centers | 15% for 12 sports trainer professions | Upcoming |
| 3 Jan 2027 | Effective | Tourism | Phase 2 begins | Upcoming |
| 14 Feb 2027 | Effective | Project management | 70% for three professions, after a six-month grace period | Upcoming |
| 27 Oct 2027 | Effective | Accounting | Phase 3: 60% | Upcoming |
| 2 Jan 2028 | Effective | Tourism | Phase 3 begins | Upcoming |
| 27 Oct 2028 | Effective | Accounting | Phase 4: 70% | Upcoming |
| December 2028 | Cycle end | Developed Nitaqat | The 2026 to 2028 cycle ends | Upcoming |
What is coming up next?
Seven confirmed profession and sector milestones remain after 8 October 2026, through 27 October 2028, followed by the Nitaqat cycle end in December 2028.
| Date | Rule | Rate | Detail page |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Oct 2026 | Accounting phase 2 | 50% | Accounting Saudization |
| 18 Nov 2026 | Gyms and sports centers | 15% | Gym Saudization update |
| 3 Jan 2027 | Tourism phase 2 | 30% for chefs | Tourism phase 2 update |
| 14 Feb 2027 | Project management | 70% | Project management rule |
| 27 Oct 2027 | Accounting phase 3 | 60% | Accounting Saudization |
| 2 Jan 2028 | Tourism phase 3 | 50% for the senior management group | Tourism Saudization |
| 27 Oct 2028 | Accounting phase 4 | 70% | Accounting Saudization |
When do new Saudization decisions take effect?
A decision takes effect on the date it sets, usually at the end of a grace period. MHRSD counts that period from the decision's issuance in some decisions (engineering, procurement, project management) and from the announcement date in others (marketing and sales, where both fell on 19 January 2026). Recent grace periods ran from three to six months, and tourism phase 1 came a year after its announcement. Plan around the effective date, not the announcement. See Saudization 2026 and Saudization 2027 for each rule.
How much notice do employers get?
Notice has ranged from three months to a year. MHRSD words the starting point differently by decision, sometimes the issuance date and sometimes the announcement date, so use the effective date it states.
| Rule | Decision or announcement | Effective | Notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing and sales | Decision dated 19 Jan 2026 | 19 Apr 2026 | Three months |
| Engineering | Decision issued with a six-month grace period | 30 Jun 2026 | Six months |
| Procurement | Decision issued with a six-month grace period | 31 May 2026 | Six months |
| Project management | Decision dated 13 Aug 2026 | 14 Feb 2027 | Six months |
| Tourism | Announced 21 Apr 2025 | Phase 1 22 Apr 2026 | One year to phase 1 |
On these gaps, a rule announced after 8 October 2026 is unlikely to take effect before early 2027. That is our reading of the pattern, not an MHRSD commitment.
Which dates are not verified yet?
We do not publish a date unless a source we trust confirms it.
| Item | Why it is missing |
|---|---|
| Any new 2027 or 2028 profession rule | Not announced as of 8 October 2026 |
How should HR teams use the calendar?
Treat the effective date as the compliance date. Work back from it by the time you need to hire, train or restructure.
- Mark every date that touches your occupation codes.
- Add a checkpoint at the halfway point of each grace period.
- Use the 90-day readiness checklist before each date.
- Check the changes tracker for new decisions and corrections.
The calendar describes what the decisions say. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
01When do new Saudization decisions take effect?
A Saudization decision takes effect on the date written in it, usually after a grace period. Recent grace periods ran three months for marketing and sales and six months for procurement, engineering and project management, while tourism phase 1 started a year after its announcement. Plan around the effective date, not the announcement date.
02Which Saudization date is the next one to plan for?
27 October 2026, when the accounting Saudization rate rises to 50% for establishments with five or more workers in covered accounting professions. After that comes the 15% gyms and sports centers rule on 18 November 2026, then tourism phase 2 on 3 January 2027 and the 70% project management rule on 14 February 2027.
03Does the calendar show decision dates or effective dates?
Both, labeled separately. A decision date is when the ministerial decision was issued, an announcement is when MHRSD published it, and an effective date is when it becomes enforceable after any grace period. Plan around the effective date.
04Are there Saudization dates in 2028?
Yes. Tourism phase 3 begins on 2 January 2028, accounting reaches 70% on 27 October 2028, and the Developed Nitaqat cycle ends in December 2028. No other 2028 effective date has been announced.
05Which Saudization grace period ended most recently?
The grace period for the select group of administrative support professions ended on 4 October 2026. The 100% rule for all 69 professions is therefore enforceable. Inspection teams monitor compliance after grace periods end, so this is the date to check against.
06Why are some entries shown by month, not by day?
Where the sources we rely on give only a month, we show the month. The Nitaqat cycle start (April 2026) and end (December 2028) are examples. We do not turn a month into a specific day.
07How much notice do employers get before a new rule applies?
Most recent decisions came with a grace period: three months for marketing and sales, and six months for engineering, procurement and project management. MHRSD counts some grace periods from the decision and others from the announcement, so check each rule's effective date.
08What Saudization deadlines are coming up?
The next dates are 27 October 2026 (accounting, 50%), 18 November 2026 (gyms and sports centers, 15%), 3 January 2027 (tourism phase 2) and 14 February 2027 (project management, 70%).
Sources
- MHRSD: 70% Saudization rate for project management professions. Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, 16 August 2026.
- MHRSD: Procedural Guide on the Decision to Localize Project Management Professions (PDF). Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, 2026-09.
- MHRSD: Saudization in marketing and sales professions takes effect. Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, 19 April 2026.
- MHRSD: Implementation of 70% Saudization in procurement professions. Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, 18 June 2026.
- Al Tamimi & Company: Saudi Arabia's 2026/2027 Saudisation Overview. Al Tamimi & Company, 22 September 2026.
- Clyde & Co: The first Saudisation updates of 2026. Clyde & Co, 2026-02.
- BAL: Grace period for full Saudization of administrative support professions ends October 4. BAL, 2026.
- MHRSD: Localization decision for 41 tourism professions (Arabic). Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
- Ministry of Health: Phase two of dental job localization. Ministry of Health.
This page explains Saudi workforce localization rules for general information. It is not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm against the official MHRSD decision linked above and take advice from a qualified Saudi legal adviser before acting. StrongYes is an independent publication and is not affiliated with MHRSD, Qiwa or any Saudi government body. Full disclaimer.