Saudization 2027: New Rules, Rates and Key Dates

Three Saudization changes are confirmed for 2027. The headline rule: from 14 February 2027, establishments with three or more project management workers need 70% Saudis in those roles. The others are phase 2 of the tourism decision on 3 January 2027 and accounting rising to 60% on 27 October 2027. This page separates what is confirmed from what is not yet announced, as of 8 October 2026. For the rules already in force, see Saudization in 2026.

What changes in Saudization in 2027?

Three dated changes are confirmed, and the Nitaqat cycle carries on: tourism phase 2 on 3 January 2027, project management at 70% on 14 February 2027, and accounting rising to 60% on 27 October 2027 under MHRSD's procedural guide. No other effective date inside 2027 appears in the sources we reviewed.

The Saudization calendar places these among every other date from 2026 to 2028.

What is confirmed for 2027?

When does the 70% project management rule start?

The rule starts on 14 February 2027. It comes from Ministerial Decision No. 41454 dated 13 August 2026, which MHRSD announced on 16 August 2026 with a six-month grace period.

MHRSD's example: five covered employees give 3.5, so four must be Saudi. Read the full rule on the project management Saudization page. Professionals can read the career guide, and non-Saudi project managers can read the expat guide.

What starts on 3 January 2027 in tourism?

Tourism phase 2 begins on 3 January 2027, according to MHRSD's announcement of the 41-profession tourism decision. The decision was announced on 21 April 2025 in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, and applies to private tourism establishments across the Kingdom.

MHRSD's procedural guide sets phase 2 at a 30% Saudi share for chefs. Phase 3 begins on 2 January 2028. See the tourism Saudization page and the phase 2 update.

What does the Nitaqat cycle mean for 2027?

The Developed Nitaqat cycle runs from April 2026 to December 2028, so 2027 is the middle year. Targets are set for each year of the cycle from 2026 to 2028, and required percentages follow the formula Y = M ln(X) + C, changing continuously with workforce size and differing by economic activity. Employers should check the band shown on Qiwa against the target for the year. Our Nitaqat explainer and how Nitaqat is calculated cover the mechanics.

When does accounting Saudization reach 60%?

On 27 October 2027, under Ministerial Decision No. 103108 of 26 January 2025. It is phase 3 of a five-phase plan set out in MHRSD's procedural guide.

A Saudi accountant counts only with SOCPA accreditation and a GOSI-registered wage of at least SAR 6,000 (bachelor's) or SAR 4,500 (diploma). See accounting Saudization.

Who is covered by the 2027 changes, and how much lead time was there?

The three changes cover different employers and came with very different lead times.

The tourism and accounting decisions both set out their full timetables in 2025, so their 2027 phases have been public for well over a year. The project management rule gave a shorter, six-month grace period. Establishments with only one or two covered project management workers are outside the rule, and so are roles registered under other occupation codes.

What has not been announced for 2027?

MHRSD has not announced, in the sources we reviewed, any of the following. We list them so readers do not mistake rumor for a rule.

Unconfirmed claims about "new Saudization rules in 2027" should be checked against MHRSD's decisions page and the procedural guide before anyone acts on them.

How does 2027 compare with 2026?

2026 was a year of many rules arriving, and 2027 is shaping up as a year of fewer, already-known dates. Nine profession and sector rules took effect between 27 January and 30 June 2026, and gyms follow on 18 November 2026. By comparison, three changes have confirmed effective dates in 2027. The shift matters for planning: employers have the 2026 rules to keep meeting and three dated additions to prepare for. See every 2026 rule in one table.

This is a snapshot, not a forecast. MHRSD has issued decisions throughout 2026, and the changes tracker records any new one the day we verify it.

How should companies plan for upcoming Saudization increases?

Employers should work from confirmed dates and update the plan when MHRSD publishes new decisions. A short sequence works for most teams:

1. Count the people registered under the three project management occupation codes, across all branches.
2. Work out the number of Saudis required using the rounding rule, and the gap to the current headcount.
3. If you run a tourism establishment, check which of your roles fall into which phase of the 41-profession list.
4. Review your Nitaqat band against the target for the cycle.
5. Look at recruitment, training and wage help on the support programs page.
6. Follow the changes tracker for new decisions.

The 90-day readiness checklist turns this into a plan. This page describes what the rules say and is not legal advice.

What does 2027 mean for Saudi professionals and expats?

For Saudi professionals, the confirmed rules raise demand in project management and tourism roles. See Saudization careers for pathways. For non-Saudi professionals, the project management rule caps the non-Saudi share of the three covered occupations at what remains after 70%, so up to three of ten roles. Other occupation codes are outside the decision. The expat guide explains how to check which rules touch a given profession.