Saudi Arabia reserves four senior roles for nationals, reducing opportunities for Indian expats  

• Though this shift tightens the labour market for foreign talent, Saudi Arabia continues to attract skilled workers in areas where local expertise is limited

• The updated rules reflect Riyadh’s broader goal of strengthening its national workforce while balancing the needs of a diversifying economy

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

Saudi Arabia has introduced a major change in its labour market that affects expatriate workers, especially those from India. In a move to accelerate its Saudization strategy under Vision 2030, the Kingdom has now reserved four key senior professions exclusively for Saudi nationals. This policy, enforced through the government’s Qiwa employment platform from late January 2026, means expatriates can no longer be appointed to these roles or have their job titles changed to them.

• The most notable of these reserved positions is General Manager, which is now entirely off-limits to foreign workers

• Employers are required to use alternative titles such as “CEO” or “Chairman” for expatriates, if they meet related regulatory criteria

• Alongside this, Sales Representative, Marketing Specialist, and Procurement Manager are also restricted, with firms required to meet a minimum Saudization threshold of 60 per cent in sales and marketing roles.

These changes form part of broader reforms aimed at increasing jobs for Saudi nationals across the private sector by expanding localisation targets in professional and managerial jobs. Firms are adjusting their workforce structure to comply, while expatriate employees currently in affected roles have a short period to reclassify with compliant job titles. Employers who fail to meet the new requirements could face hiring limitations, penalties, or operational setbacks.

For many Indian professionals in the Kingdom’s large expatriate community, this means reassessing career paths and seeking opportunities in other sectors where foreigners are still welcome, particularly in specialised technical fields, healthcare, engineering, IT and senior leadership roles that are not covered by the new restrictions.