Saudi Arabia has introduced a new employment regulation reserving 69 administrative support occupations in the private sector exclusively for Saudi nationals, effectively restricting foreign workers from occupying positions covered by the decision.
As reported by MSN, Microsoft online news platform on Wednesday, the regulation, which took effect on October 4, 2026, requires private-sector employers to achieve a 100 per cent localisation rate across all 69 listed occupations.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said: “The measure is designed to increase the participation of Saudi nationals in the labour market, create more employment opportunities for citizens and strengthen the country’s local workforce.
“The affected occupations cover several administrative and support functions, including human resources management, recruitment, public relations, reception, translation, security and office administration.
“Some of the positions include human resources managers, recruitment specialists, administrative assistants, receptionists, government relations clerks, secretaries, translators, data entry operators, warehouse keepers and security guards.
Other affected professions include personnel managers, labour affairs managers, compensation specialists, career guidance specialists, protocol managers, talent managers and administrative investigation managers.”
The ministry began enforcing the new regulation on October 4, deploying supervisory inspection teams across several regions to monitor private-sector establishments and assess their compliance with the localisation requirements.
Businesses found violating the decision may face penalties under existing labour regulations.
The ministry said the initiative forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader labour market strategy, which seeks to increase employment opportunities for citizens, develop local skills and raise localisation levels across different economic sectors.
The new requirement has implications for expatriates currently employed in the affected occupations, as private-sector employers are required to reserve the listed positions for Saudi nationals.
Employers operating in the Kingdom are expected to review their staffing arrangements, identify affected positions and take necessary steps to comply with the 100 per cent localisation requirement.
The development represents another step in Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to expand employment opportunities for its citizens and increase their representation in the private sector.
The 69 listed professions are reserved for Saudi nationals
They include:
1. Human Resources Development Manager
2. Workforce Planning Manager
3. Human Resources Operations Manager
4. Recruitment Manager
5. Recruitment Specialist
6. Human Resources Operations Specialist
7. Workforce Planning Specialist
8. Recruitment Office Manager
9. Government Relations Clerk
10. Administrative Assistant
11. Receptionist
12. Customs Agent
13. Shipping Agent
14. Shipping Clerk
15. Inventory Movement Clerk
16. Public Relations Manager
17. Public Relations Expert
18. Public Relations Consultant
19. Public Relations Specialist
20. Recruitment Office Specialist
21. Personal Guard
22. Security Guard
23. Security Camera Monitor
24. Registry Clerk
25. Record Clerk
26. Information Clerk
27. Typist
28. Proofreader
29. Translator
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30. Linguistic Specialist
31. Simultaneous Interpreter
32. Sign Language Interpreter
33. Interpreter
34. Customs Clearance Agent
35. Secretary
36. Executive Secretary
37. Stenographer
38. Data Entry Operator
39. Hotel Receptionist
40. Patient Receptionist
41. Complaints Clerk
42. Warehouse Keeper
43. Copyist
44. Human Resources Clerk
45. Treasurer / Cashier
46. Personnel Manager
47. Labor Affairs Manager
48. Protocol Specialist
49. Conference and Event Organization Specialist
50. Public Awareness Specialist
51. Internal Communication Specialist
52. Human Resources Expert
53. Human Resources Consultant
54. Human Resources Monitoring Specialist
55. Member of the Labor Body
56. Labor Investigator
57. Career Guidance Specialist
58. Compensation Specialist
59. Occupational Classification Specialist
60. Job Liaison Specialist
61. Protocol Manager
62. Fundraising Manager
63. Cyber Security Human Resources Manager
64. Administrative Investigation Manager
65. Administrative Organization Manager
66. Institutional Development Manager
67. Civil Service Office Manager
68. Labor Office Manager
69. Talent Manager
Source: Punch · Gilbert Ekugbe
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