Saudization and Reserved Iqama Professions. Saudi Arabia has implemented a groundbreaking policy called “Saudization,” officially known as the Saudi nationalization scheme. This initiative is designed to prioritize employment opportunities for Saudi nationals by reserving specific professions exclusively for them.
The Saudization policy is a significant step towards reducing unemployment among Saudi citizens and ensuring their active participation in the country’s economic development. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the reserved Iqama professions and their implications for both expatriates and Saudi citizens.
An Iqama is a residence permit issued to expatriates working in Saudi Arabia. It serves as a legal document that allows foreigners to live and work in the Kingdom. Under the Saudization policy, the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has designated a list of professions that are exclusively reserved for Saudi nationals.
Significance of Reserved Iqama Professions
The introduction of reserved Iqama professions aims to:
Create more job opportunities for Saudi nationals.
Strengthen the local workforce and reduce reliance on expatriates.
Boost the national economy by ensuring higher participation of Saudis in key sectors.
Align with Saudi Vision 2030, which focuses on economic diversification and human capital development.
Impact on Expatriates
Expatriates working in reserved Iqama professions face critical career decisions. Since these roles are now restricted to Saudi nationals, affected expatriates must either:
Exit the Saudi labor market upon the expiration of their Iqama.
Employers must also comply with the Saudization regulations by replacing expatriates in these positions with Saudi nationals.
List of Reserved Iqama Professions In Saudi Arabia
The list of 100% Saudized professions covers various sectors, including customer service, clerical work, managerial roles, and specialized technical positions.
Currently working in the hospital sector as a receptionist
Hotel Receptionist
Supervisor of Room Service
Manager of Room Service
Operator of a telephone
Telephone operators’ supervisor
Call center customer service officer
Security & Safety
Job Title
Providing security
Officer of Safety and Security
Deputy Supervisor, Safety and Security
Security and safety director
Professionals in health and safety
Aviation & Meteorology
Job Title
Pilot/Co-pilot
Air Controller
Expert in meteorology
Engineering & Technical
Job Title
Engineer certified in sustainable development
Engineer-in-Residence Certified
Engineer-Quality Inspector
Inspector of Buildings
Real Estate & Property
Job Title
Broker in Real Estate
Broker specializing in the sale and rental of real estate
Clerk at the Land and Real Estate Registry
Marketer for real estate
Manager of properties
Arbitrator for real estate disputes
Customs & Government Relations
Job Title
Officer of Government Relations
Categorization by Customs
Broker of Customs Clearance
Tourism & Travel
Job Title
Agent for reservations
Designer of tourist programs
Supervisor of Tourism Programs
Tourism Programs Director
Supervisor of the front office
Front Office Director
Customer Service & Support
Job Title
Assisting the Director
Manager of Customer Service
Clerk in a call center
Clerk for tourist information
Clerk for Query
Clerk for customer data
Operations & General Management
Job Title
Director of General Management
Manager of administrative operations
Supervisor, General Services
Manager of maintenance
Supervisor of maintenance
Finance & Accounting
Job Title
Director of Finance
Keeping stock
Transport & Logistics
Job Title
Driver of a light-vehicle
Order Taker
Operator of ATV splitters
Operator
Translation & Language Services
Job Title
Translation expert
Saudization In Retail and Commercial Establishments
The Saudi government has extended Saudization to various retail and commercial sectors. The following businesses are now required to hire only Saudi employees:
Shops selling watches, eyeglasses, and medical equipment
Electrical appliances and electronic stores
Building materials and construction shops
Ready-made garments, children’s and men’s wear outlets
Home and office furniture stores
Automobile and motorbike showrooms
Compliance and Penalties For Employers
Employers must strictly adhere to Saudization policies to avoid penalties. Non-compliance can result in:
Business restrictions and operational difficulties.
Loss of commercial licenses in severe cases.
Companies are encouraged to hire and train Saudi professionals to ensure smooth business operations while complying with nationalization laws.
Iqama Overview
The Iqama is a residency permit that allows foreign nationals to live and work in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabian government’s Ministry of Interior issues it. Different types of Iqama are available for different purposes, including those for business, domestic workers, laborers, professionals, and government employees
Saudization and Reserved Iqama Professions. Iqama professions can be checked online. Saudi Arabians can also transfer their professions through the Qiwa platform.
FAQs About Saudization and Reserved Iqama Professions
Saudi nationals are only allowed to work in certain occupations, such as Senior HR Manager, Personnel Specialist, Recruitment Clerk, Government Relations Officer, Director of Labour Affairs, etc. Visit Nitaqat’s website to learn more.
Changing a profession on an Iqama involves meeting certain criteria, such as job qualifications, national restrictions on professions, and company eligibility standards within Nitaqat.
The private sector provides insurance benefits to these professionals. In addition to sponsoring family members, holders of this Iqama can also apply for visas to countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States.
Conclusion
The Reserved Iqama Professions policy is a crucial part of Saudi Arabia’s long-term economic vision. By enforcing Saudization, the government aims to provide more job opportunities to its citizens, enhance local workforce participation, and reduce dependency on foreign labor. Expatriates affected by these changes must explore alternative job opportunities, while businesses must ensure compliance with the new regulations to continue operating smoothly in the Kingdom.
