Saudization (Nitaqat): How Saudization quotas affect expat jobs and visas

Who uses it

All private-sector establishments are rated. Job seekers and expat workers use it to judge an employer's ability to sponsor visas and renew permits.

What you can do with Saudization (Nitaqat)

• Five bands in the 2026 Developed Nitaqat guide: Platinum, High Green, Medium Green, Low Green and Red.
• The Saudization rate is the average number of Saudi workers divided by the average number of Saudi and expat workers, times 100. The required rate depends on the activity and company size.
• Platinum, High Green and Medium Green companies can request visas, change expat professions, renew work permits and take transfers from any band.
• Low Green companies cannot request new visas or profession changes, but can still renew work permits.
• Red companies cannot get new visas, issue or renew work permits, change professions or receive transferred workers.
• Some professions have their own quotas, such as 30% for technical engineering, 35% to 65% for pharmacy and 70% for procurement roles.

Step by step

1. 1

   Ask the employer for its band

   Before accepting an offer, ask which Nitaqat band the company is in. Companies see their band and branches in the Establishment Evaluation in Nitaqat service on Qiwa.

2. 2

   Check your profession is open to expats

   Check whether your job title is under a Saudization decision, for example engineering, accounting, pharmacy, dentistry, procurement or project management.

3. 3

   Avoid red-band employers

   A red-band company cannot renew your work permit or receive you as a transfer, so a move there can leave you without a valid permit.

4. 4

   Watch your permit renewal

   If your current employer drops to red, it cannot renew work permits. Under the job mobility rules you may be able to move to a compliant employer through Qiwa.

Frequently asked questions