How Should Companies Plan Saudi Business Visits Before Opening a Local Operation?
August 17, 2026
Will the 70% Localization Requirement Affect Saudi Work Visa Applications?
Saudi Arabia will introduce a 70% localization requirement for selected project management professions from 14 February 2027. The decision applies to private sector establishments with three or more employees in the targeted professions and covers Project Management Director, Project Management Engineer and Project Management Specialist roles.
For employers applying for a Saudi work visa for a project management professional, this does not mean that every foreign candidate in these occupations will automatically become ineligible for a work visa. However, the employer's workforce structure and compliance with the applicable localization requirement become important considerations when planning the recruitment and sponsorship of foreign employees.
What Employers Should Check Before Applying
Before starting a Saudi work visa application, employers should confirm the candidate's registered occupation and determine whether it falls within the targeted project management professions. The occupation recorded for the employee should align with the actual position and the applicable Saudi classification.
Employers should also review how many employees they already have in the affected professions and how a new foreign hire could affect their localization position. This is particularly important for companies preparing new projects or expanding their Saudi workforce.
Does This Mean Foreign Project Managers Cannot Be Hired?
Not necessarily. The decision establishes a 70% localization rate, rather than a complete ban on foreign workers in the affected professions. The practical impact will depend on the employer's workforce composition and the requirements of the applicable procedural guide.
This makes workforce assessment an important step before submitting a Saudi work visa application, particularly where the proposed position is one of the three targeted occupations.
Why Should Employers Avoid Working Backwards From the Travel Date?
There is no single processing timeframe that applies to every Saudi work visa application, as timelines can vary according to the employee's circumstances, profession, documentation, country of application, and employer requirements.
For this reason, employers should work backwards from the required mobilization date, allowing sufficient time for role assessment, document preparation, attestations or verifications where applicable, employer-side processing, visa application requirements, medical procedures, and travel arrangements.
The critical point is that the visa application is only one stage of the process. A delay in qualification documentation or profession assessment can affect the overall timeline before the application is even submitted.
Plan the Saudi Work Visa Before Recruitment
For companies hiring international project management talent, checking the occupation, employer position and localization requirements before recruitment can help avoid delays or changes later in the Saudi work visa process.
Saudi Visa Agency supports employers with Saudi work visa processing, document requirements and employee mobilization, helping companies plan visa applications around the requirements applicable to their workforce.
Employers should verify the latest HRSD procedural requirements before proceeding with recruitment or visa applications.
