Saudi Arabia enforces total ban on foreign workers for 69 administrative roles

Saudi Arabia has implemented a significant expansion of its nationalization program, barring foreign nationals from 69 specific administrative support professions in the private sector. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development confirmed the updated regulations came into effect on April 5, 2026, as part of a broader strategy to increase the participation of Saudi citizens in the labor market.

The directive mandates 100 percent Saudization for the targeted roles, which include secretarial work, translation, data entry, and various other office-based administrative functions. These job categories have been aligned with the Saudi Standard Classification of Occupations, ensuring a standardized approach to local hiring across all private entities.

The policy applies to every private sector establishment that employs at least one worker in the covered professions. Under the new rules, companies can no longer hire or renew the contracts of foreign workers, including Kenyans, for these specific roles. The ministry indicated that the update is designed to create more stimulating and productive employment opportunities for Saudi men and women across all regions.

This move follows a series of similar measures aimed at reducing reliance on foreign labor as part of the Vision 2030 economic transformation plan. Earlier this year, the Kingdom tightened nationalization requirements for engineering, sales, and marketing roles. The engineering sector now faces a 30 percent local hiring quota, while certain healthcare professions have also seen their Saudization rates increased to as high as 80 percent.

To assist with the transition, the ministry has published a procedural guide on its website outlining the implementation mechanisms. Companies that comply with the new rules can access various support programs and incentives through the human resources ecosystem, such as recruitment assistance and training grants from the Human Resources Development Fund.

However, failure to adhere to the mandate will result in statutory penalties. The Kingdom's Nitaqat system, which classifies businesses based on their compliance with nationalization targets, will be used to monitor these developments. Non-compliant firms risk losing the ability to renew work permits or apply for new visas for their expatriate staff.

For Kenya, which has historically sent thousands of workers to the Middle East, these changes narrow the available job market for migrant labor. While bilateral agreements previously focused on domestic workers and improved welfare terms, the narrowing of the administrative sector represents a shift toward more specialized roles for the local Saudi population.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development urged all private sector establishments to comply with the decision immediately to avoid legal consequences. This latest update marks a continued push to professionalize the Saudi labor market while prioritizing the domestic workforce for stable, office-based occupations.