Saudi Arabia has announced higher Saudization requirements for sales and marketing jobs in the private sector, with new rules set to take effect from April 19, 2026. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said companies must increase the share of Saudi nationals in these roles as part of ongoing labour market reforms.
Under the new decision, private-sector firms employing three or more workers in 10 marketing professions will be required to ensure that 60% of these positions are held by Saudi nationals. This is an increase from the current requirement of 30%. The affected roles include marketing manager, public relations manager, marketing specialist and graphic designer.
The ministry said Saudi employees will be counted towards the Saudization quota only if their monthly salary registered with the General Organization for Social Insurance is at least SAR 5,500.
Higher quota for sales professions
The Saudization threshold has also been raised for sales-related roles. Private-sector businesses with three or more employees in nine sales professions must ensure that 60% of these jobs are filled by Saudi nationals. This is higher than the existing requirement of 15% for certain sales roles at companies employing five or more workers.
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The sales roles covered under the decision include sales manager, sales specialist, sales representative and commodity broker.
Compliance deadline and penalties
The ministry has asked employers to review their workforce composition to align with the revised Saudization rates. This may involve changes to staffing structures, higher recruitment and retention of Saudi nationals, and use of government support programmes.
Companies that fail to comply with the new requirements may face penalties, including suspension of ministry services such as employee transfer facilities and work permit renewals.
Under the new decision, private-sector firms employing three or more workers in 10 marketing professions will be required to ensure that 60% of these positions are held by Saudi nationals. This is an increase from the current requirement of 30%. The affected roles include marketing manager, public relations manager, marketing specialist and graphic designer.
The ministry said Saudi employees will be counted towards the Saudization quota only if their monthly salary registered with the General Organization for Social Insurance is at least SAR 5,500.
Higher quota for sales professions
The Saudization threshold has also been raised for sales-related roles. Private-sector businesses with three or more employees in nine sales professions must ensure that 60% of these jobs are filled by Saudi nationals. This is higher than the existing requirement of 15% for certain sales roles at companies employing five or more workers.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
The sales roles covered under the decision include sales manager, sales specialist, sales representative and commodity broker.
Compliance deadline and penalties
The ministry has asked employers to review their workforce composition to align with the revised Saudization rates. This may involve changes to staffing structures, higher recruitment and retention of Saudi nationals, and use of government support programmes.Companies that fail to comply with the new requirements may face penalties, including suspension of ministry services such as employee transfer facilities and work permit renewals.
