Saudi Arabia Restricts Expat Jobs in Three Key Sectors Under New Saudization Drive
PoriPurno News Desk | July 31, 2025
In a significant policy move aimed at boosting employment for its citizens, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially implemented new Saudization rules across three key professional sectors—pharmacy, dentistry, and technical engineering. The directive, issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, came into effect on Sunday, July 27, 2025, as part of the kingdom’s ongoing strategy to reduce dependence on foreign labor.
The new regulation imposes mandatory national hiring quotas, setting minimum wage thresholds and workforce composition requirements, particularly targeting companies and institutions employing five or more workers.
Sector-wise Saudization Breakdown
1. Pharmacy Sector
The most extensive reforms are being rolled out in the pharmacy sector, where the government has introduced varying levels of mandatory Saudi employment:
- Community pharmacies and medical complexes must employ at least 35% Saudi nationals.
- Hospital pharmacies are required to ensure 65% Saudi representation.
- Other pharmacy-related operations must have a minimum of 55% Saudi employees.
- The rules apply to facilities employing five or more staff members.
- A minimum monthly wage of 7,000 Saudi Riyals has been set for Saudi employees in this sector.
2. Dentistry Sector
- Dental institutions are now required to employ at least 45% Saudi citizens.
- The minimum salary for Saudi dental professionals is fixed at 9,000 Saudi Riyals.
3. Technical Engineering Sector
- Firms employing five or more technical staff must ensure that at least 30% of their workforce are Saudi nationals.
- The minimum wage for Saudi engineers is set at 5,000 Saudi Riyals.
Objectives Behind the Saudization Policy
This policy is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 reform program, which aims to diversify the economy and reduce the country’s heavy reliance on foreign workers. The key objectives include:
- Reducing unemployment among Saudi nationals.
- Enhancing the local workforce’s role in strategic sectors like healthcare and engineering.
- Promoting long-term economic sustainability by building a skilled national labor base.
According to the Saudi Gazette, these initiatives are meant to foster economic self-reliance and integrate Saudi citizens into fields historically dominated by expatriates.
Implications for Expat Workers
The new restrictions are likely to pose serious challenges for thousands of foreign professionals, particularly from countries like Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, whose citizens have historically filled a large share of the workforce in these sectors.
With job quotas being reallocated to Saudi nationals, expatriates—especially those working in pharmacy, dentistry, and engineering—may face:
- Job insecurity or terminations.
- Limited opportunities for new recruitment.
- Increased competition for fewer available roles.
Experts warn that countries heavily reliant on overseas remittances must urgently explore alternative job markets and engage diplomatically with Saudi authorities to protect their migrant workforce.
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A Call for Policy Response from Labor-Sending Nations
As the changes take effect, labor-exporting countries like Bangladesh will need to assess the potential economic fallout. These changes could impact foreign remittance inflows and exacerbate unemployment among returning migrants.
Labor experts suggest that:
- Governments should strengthen skill development programs to align with emerging labor market demands.
- Diplomatic missions must negotiate transitional provisions to safeguard current expat employees.
- Bilateral labor agreements need revisiting to ensure sustainable workforce collaboration.
Conclusion
While Saudi Arabia’s Saudization policy may serve to empower its own citizens economically, it also underscores a shifting landscape in the Gulf labor market. For migrant workers and labor-exporting nations, this is a signal to adapt, prepare, and engage. The urgency lies not just in responding to today’s policy—but in anticipating tomorrow’s job market.
Stay tuned to PoriPurno.com for continued coverage on international labor policy, migration trends, and expatriate affairs.
Saudi Limits Expat Jobs in Key Sectors
Pharmacy, dentistry & engineering now prioritized for Saudi citizens—what it means for Bangladeshi workers abroad.Read the full story on PoriPurno.com
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