Tourism Saudization Phase 2: What Starts on 3 January 2027

Tourism Saudization phase 2 starts on 3 January 2027 and adds a single profession: chef. Private tourism establishments will need 30% of their chefs to be Saudi nationals. This update covers who is affected, how the requirement is calculated and what has already changed since phase 1.

What starts on 3 January 2027?

A 30% Saudization rate for chefs takes effect. MHRSD's tourism decision localizes 41 professions in three phases. Phase 2 is the smallest, with one profession.

The decision was issued by MHRSD with the Ministry of Tourism and announced on 21 April 2025. Our tourism Saudization page has the full phase tables, sources and the calculation method.

Who is affected by phase 2?

Private-sector tourism establishments that employ chefs. MHRSD's guide applies the decision to establishments with one or more workers in a covered profession, identified by licensed economic activity, and it includes subcontracted arrangements. Clyde & Co reports that employers remain accountable when localized roles are outsourced.

Coverage follows each employee's registered occupation. Whether a cook counts as a chef depends on the registered occupation code, and a mismatch between code and actual duties is a compliance risk. See mapping job titles to Saudi occupation codes.

How many Saudi chefs will a kitchen need?

Multiply the number of chefs by 30%. MHRSD's tourism guide says results of 0.5 and above round up.

For a single chef, the result is 0.3. On the guide's stated rounding rule that would round down, but confirm how the guide treats one-chef kitchens before relying on it.

What has already changed under phase 1?

Phase 1 began on 22 April 2026 and covers 28 professions. Four front-of-house roles, including receptionist and hotel receptionist, are 100% Saudi. Twelve roles, including branch manager and tour guide, are at 70%. Twelve more, including ticket seller and event coordinator, are at 50%.

Some secondary sources give 22 June 2026 for phase 1 and 1 March 2027 for phase 2. MHRSD's guide, the Saudi Press Agency and Fragomen give 22 April 2026 and 3 January 2027, and we use those.

What can employers check before 3 January?

This describes the rule and is not legal advice.

1. Count chefs by registered occupation in every kitchen and branch.
2. Work out the Saudi share against 30% using the guide's rounding rule.
3. Plan culinary hiring and development. MHRSD lists recruitment assistance, training support, employment support and priority access to localization programs. See Saudization support programs.
4. Look ahead to phase 3, which reaches hotel and restaurant managers in January 2028.

MHRSD says establishments that miss targets, or assign localized roles to non-Saudis directly or indirectly, face penalties. Our guide to Saudization violations and penalties explains how enforcement works.

What does it mean for Saudi chefs and culinary graduates?

Demand for Saudi chefs in hotels and restaurants rises from January 2027. Culinary graduates and experienced cooks moving into chef roles will want to track which employers are hiring. The rule creates demand but does not guarantee any individual a role. Our tourism and hospitality careers guide covers skills and routes in.

What comes next?

The next dates are 27 October 2026 for accounting (50%), 18 November 2026 for gyms and sports centers and 3 January 2027 for this change. All dates are in the Saudization calendar, and the rates database lists every rule.