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

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