The Qiwa platform, operated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, has announced major updates to expatriate professions and Saudization rules in Saudi Arabia for 2026. The new regulations restrict the general manager position to Saudi nationals and increase Saudization rates in marketing and sales sectors, strengthening employment opportunities for citizens.
Removal of General Manager Profession for Expatriates
According to Qiwa’s latest update, the general manager profession has been removed from records for expatriate workers. This means that only Saudi citizens are now eligible to hold this key leadership role in private-sector companies.
This move aligns with the Kingdom’s long-term workforce localization strategy. For more information on Saudization policies, readers can refer to Saudization Program in Saudi Arabia .
Changing Job Professions for Existing Employees
Companies with expatriates currently registered as general managers are permitted to change their job titles to alternative roles, such as CEO or chairman of the board. However, this change is subject to strict conditions.
Conditions for Changing Job Titles
- The employee must be registered under the same profession in the commercial registration.
- No other employee in the company should hold the same profession.
- The change must comply with Qiwa platform regulations.
Employers seeking guidance on workforce management may also explore HR Management Practices in Saudi Arabia .
Suspension of Profession Change Services for Expatriates
Qiwa has suspended profession change services for selected roles. When attempting to modify these professions, employers may receive the message: “Sorry, the employee’s current profession cannot be changed.”
Affected Professions
- General Manager
- Sales Representative
- Marketing Specialist
- Purchase Manager
Once this message appears, it indicates that the profession cannot be changed to another role, nor can another role be converted into it.
Ministry Raises Saudization Rates in Marketing and Sales Jobs
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has introduced new measures to increase Saudization rates in marketing and sales professions. These decisions aim to create more specialized and productive job opportunities for Saudi men and women.
Saudization in Marketing Professions
The first decision raises the Saudization rate in marketing professions to 60 percent within the private sector, effective from January 19, 2026.
Key Requirements
- Applies to establishments with three or more marketing employees.
- Minimum salary for Saudi employees: SR5,500.
- Implementation begins three months after announcement.
Targeted Marketing Professions
- Marketing Manager
- Advertising Agent
- Advertising Manager
- Graphic Designer
- Advertising Designer
- Public Relations Specialist
- Advertising Specialist
- Marketing Specialist
- Public Relations Manager
- Photographer
Saudization in Sales Professions
The second decision increases Saudization in sales jobs to 60 percent, also effective from January 19, 2026, for private-sector establishments.
Targeted Sales Professions
- Sales Manager
- Retail Sales Representative
- Wholesale Sales Representative
- Sales Representative
- IT and Communications Equipment Sales Specialist
- Sales Specialist
- Freight Broker
Similar to marketing roles, companies are given a three-month preparation period to comply with the new Saudization targets.
Impact on Businesses and Expatriate Workers
These Qiwa platform updates and Saudization rules will significantly impact workforce planning in Saudi Arabia. Companies must review their staffing structures, ensure compliance, and prioritize hiring and training Saudi nationals.
Expatriate employees are encouraged to stay informed about labor regulations through Saudi Labor Law Updates
Conclusion
The latest Qiwa platform updates reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to strengthening workforce localization and empowering citizens. By restricting key managerial roles and raising Saudization rates in marketing and sales, the Kingdom is taking another major step toward achieving Vision 2030 employment goals.
