Saudization (Nitaqat) 2026: Calculate Your Compliance Ratio
Nitaqat is the Saudi government's Saudization program that requires businesses to employ a minimum percentage of Saudi nationals. Your compliance tier determines everything from your ability to hire expats to government contract eligibility.
The Four Nitaqat Tiers
| -- | -- | -- |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum | 🟣 | Exceeds requirement by 50%+ |
| Green | 🟢 | Meets or exceeds requirement |
| Yellow | 🟡 | Below requirement (warning zone) |
| Red | 🔴 | Non-compliant |
How Saudization Percentage is Calculated
Saudization % = (Number of Saudi employees ÷ Total employees) × 100
But it's not just about headcount — there are important rules:
- Part-time Saudis count as 0.5
- Saudis working less than the minimum legal hours may not count
- Female Saudi employees in certain sectors receive enhanced weighting
Required Percentages by Sector (2026)
| Sector | Required % |
|---|---|
| -- | -- |
| Construction | 6% |
| Retail (General) | 15% |
| Retail (Automotive) | 35% |
| IT & Communications | 15% |
| Financial Services | 10% |
| Healthcare | 35% |
| Hospitality | 10% |
| Education | 35% |
*Percentages vary by company size and activity. Always verify with Qiwa.*
Calculating Your Ratio — Step by Step
- Log into Qiwa Platform (qiwa.sa)
- Go to Nitaqat section
- Your current ratio is displayed automatically
- Download the employee breakdown report
Manual Calculation:
- Total employees in GOSI: 45
- Saudi employees: 8
- Saudization % = (8 ÷ 45) × 100 = 17.8%
Consequences of Red Zone
If you're in Red tier:
- Cannot issue new work visas
- Cannot renew existing work visas
- Cannot bid on government contracts
- Cannot open new branches
- Block on expanding business activities
Strategies to Improve Your Ratio
Short-term
- Hire Saudi nationals in entry-level positions
- Convert part-time Saudis to full-time
- Register trainees in Tamheer or Taqat programs
Medium-term
- Partner with HRDF for training subsidies
- Apply for Saudization exemptions for specialized roles
- Use On-Job Training contracts (OJT)
Exempt Roles
Some positions are exempt from Saudization requirements:
- Roles requiring specific national certifications not available to Saudis
- Roles where the company has applied and received a specific exemption
- Certain executive positions in small companies
Monitoring Your Compliance
Check your Nitaqat status monthly on Qiwa. The system updates automatically based on GOSI data. Never assume you're compliant — check regularly.