100% Saudization Professions in Saudi Arabia: Current List

Roles reserved 100% for Saudis in 2026 fall into four recent decisions, plus several earlier ones still reported in force. This page lists only roles that we have verified, grouped by decision, with the effective date and the source for each group. A 100% rate is the strictest form of Saudization: it means the covered roles at a covered establishment are to be filled by Saudi nationals.

For rates below 100%, see the Saudization rates by profession database. For the whole year, see Saudization 2026.

Which jobs are reserved 100% for Saudis in 2026?

Four recent decisions set a 100% rate. Four older decisions are still reported as in force. The table summarizes each group.

What are the 69 administrative support professions?

They are 69 occupations classed as administrative support under the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations. Reports describe categories such as secretarial work, translation, data entry and administrative support. The rule applies to private establishments with one or more workers in a covered profession, so even a single covered employee triggers it.

MHRSD gave a select group of the professions a six-month grace period, which ended on 4 October 2026. Sources we reviewed name no salary floor and no exemptions. The full list of titles is in MHRSD's procedural guide, and we do not reproduce an unverified list. See the administrative support page and the 4 October 2026 deadline update.

What is the housing supervisor rule?

Housing supervisors are reserved 100% for Saudis in establishments that operate or manage collective housing for 20 or more residents. It took effect on 1 February 2026. It covers one occupation, and the threshold is the number of residents, not the number of employees. See housing supervisor Saudization.

Which wellness and spa roles are 100% Saudi?

Administrative roles across 30 job titles in wellness centers and spas are 100% Saudized from 11 May 2026. Clyde & Co describes the titles as managers, receptionists and support specialists. The sources we reviewed describe only administrative roles in this group. See wellness center and spa Saudization.

Which tourism roles are 100% Saudi?

MHRSD's tourism decision covers 41 professions in three phases, starting 22 April 2026, 3 January 2027 and 2 January 2028. Phase 1 includes four front-desk roles that MHRSD's procedural guide sets at 100%: receptionist, hotel receptionist, information clerk and switchboard operator. Other tourism roles carry lower rates, such as 70% and 50% in phase 1. Read the tourism Saudization page for the full structure.

Which earlier 100% decisions should you confirm?

The rules above are the current 100% rules verified for 2026. The decisions below are older. MHRSD confirmed each one when it took effect in 2021 to 2023, and a 2026 Gulf Business roundup reports them as still in force, but we have not confirmed whether any has since been amended. Treat them as in force, and check the current text on MHRSD or Qiwa before relying on them.

• Remote customer service. MHRSD's procedural guide restricts customer service professions delivered by phone, email, chat, social media and direct interaction to Saudis, for establishments governed by the Saudi Labor Law, including outsourced arrangements serving customers in the Kingdom. Technical support and maintenance roles are outside the definition. A separate MHRSD decision, effective 17 December 2022, set 100% for customer service roles, including leadership and supervisory roles, at establishments that provide customer service as a main, supporting or outsourced activity.
• Licensed aviation. Co-pilot, air traffic controller and flight dispatcher professions were set at 100% from 15 March 2023, with GACA accreditation. Other aviation roles carry lower rates.
• Cinema. Cinema roles were set at 100% from 1 October 2021. Reports describe the sector and its related activities, including supervisory roles, ticket and retail sales, and food and beverage service.
• Shopping malls. Jobs in malls and their management offices were set at 100% from 4 August 2021, with exemptions for certain activities such as hypermarkets and some roles.
• Real estate. Real estate brokerage, sustainable construction and real estate control roles were set at 100% from 1 October 2021, with 70% for other staff at real estate establishments, according to MHRSD.

Which long-standing jobs are restricted to Saudis?

Before the recent percentage rules, Saudi Arabia restricted a set of jobs to Saudi nationals outright. In 2015 the Ministry of Labor stopped issuing work permits to foreign nationals for 19 positions, according to BAL. The roles named in that report include:

• Chief human resources administrator and personnel department head
• Labor affairs director
• Employment clerk and timekeeper
• Receptionist, including hotel and hospital receptionists
• Cashier
• Typist

Private security is also reserved: the Saudi Public Prosecution has stated that all staff of private security companies must be Saudi nationals, with fines of up to SAR 50,000 for violations, as reported by Gulf News.

These restrictions predate the current procedural guides, and the full 19-role list has not been republished in one place. Treat them as in force and check each role's status on Qiwa before you hire or renew a non-Saudi in a similar role.

When did the 100% rules arrive?

The older 100% decisions date from 2021 to 2023, and the newer ones from 2026.

Which roles come close to 100% but are not reserved?

Most 2026 profession rules sit well below 100%. Procurement and project management are 70%, marketing and sales 60%, dentistry 55%, engineering 30% and gyms 15%. Tourism roles outside the front desk carry rates such as 70% and 50% in phase 1. At these rates non-Saudis can fill the remaining share. The rates database lists each one with its threshold and salary floor.

What does a 100% rate mean in practice?

A 100% rate means all covered roles at the establishment are to be Saudi once the effective date and any grace period have passed. Four points apply across the groups.

1. The threshold can be one worker. Administrative support applies from the first covered worker. Housing supervisors depend on residents, not staff.
2. Coverage follows the registered occupation code. The job title inside the company does not decide it. See how to map job titles to occupation codes.
3. Qiwa can restrict profession changes. Al Tamimi reports that Qiwa may stop an employer changing a registered profession where the occupation is subject to a recently introduced or amended rate.
4. Nitaqat does not exempt you. Profession rules are calculated separately from the Nitaqat band.

How can you check whether a role is on a 100% list?

1. Find the occupation registered for the employee on Qiwa.
2. Match the code against the decision's procedural guide, not against the job title.
3. Check the establishment's activity, because several 100% rules apply to a sector or setting.
4. Check the effective date and whether a grace period has ended.
5. Review the rule's penalties on the Saudization penalties page.

This page describes what the rules say. It is not legal advice.

What do these rules mean for Saudi jobseekers and expats?

For Saudi jobseekers, 100% rates create roles in administrative support, hospitality front desks and other covered occupations. The rules raise demand but do not guarantee any individual a job; see Saudi careers under Saudization. For expatriate professionals, the rules apply to specific registered occupations and settings, and most professions are not 100%. The expat guide shows how to check a role factually.