Hiring in KSA:
from quota to last payment

01

Labor Law and the 2025 Amendments

Labor relations are governed by Labor Law, its Executive Regulations and HRSD decisions. The amendments, which came into force on February 19, 2025, updated the rules for contracts, testing, dismissal, vacations, training and recruitment of personnel. For special industries, profile rules are additionally checked.

02

Saudisation - pre-hire calculation

Nitaqat and special localization decisions depend on the activity, size of the establishment, profession, region and staff structure. There is no general percentage for all companies: the vacancy is checked according to the current classification before sending an offer to the candidate.

Activity

Actual type of activity and establishment code

Profession

Is the role reserved for KSA citizens?

Band

Current employer status in Nitaqat

Salary

Is the employee taken into account in the localization indicator?

Special rule

Is there an industry percentage or phased schedule?

03

Foreign worker: unified migration and labor chain

Before starting work, profession, qualifications, employment contract, work authorization, visa and iqama are agreed upon. Qiwa job title, permit and actual responsibilities should not be inconsistent; Transfers between employers and changes in profession are processed through the applicable procedure.

1. 01
   Role check

   Profession, localization and employer license.

2. 02
   Offer and contract

   Remuneration, benefits, place and duration.

3. 03
   Permit and residence

   Work authorization, visa, medical and iqama.

4. 04
   Onboarding

   Qiwa, GOSI, payroll, insurance and policies.

04

Agreement and Qiwa

Employer

Correct legal entity and establishment

Role

Profession and measurable responsibilities

Pay

Basic salary, allowances, bonus and benefits

Place

Office, site, mobility and remote arrangement

Term

Definite or indefinite period and renewal

Protection

Confidentiality, IP, data, non-compete and policies

05

Probationary period

The probation clause is specified in the contract and is administered according to the current law. The amendments clarified periods that do not count towards the test, including Eid holidays and sick leave. The company records goals, feedback and decisions before the deadline expires.

06

Working hours, rest and vacation

The schedule is checked against Labor Law, Ramadan rules, industry and role. Regular hours, overtime, weekly rest, public holidays, annual and sick leave are separately reflected in the accounting. A working woman has the right to 12 weeks of paid maternity leave under the updated Article 151.

07

Salary, payroll and GOSI

Remuneration is paid through an established salary contour and is confirmed by payroll records. The employer registers applicable employees in GOSI, correctly separates basic salary and allowances, administers health insurance, vacation, deductions and end-of-service file.

08

Domestic politicians turn the contract into a process

Work rules

Working hours, attendance and approvals

Conduct

Anti-harassment, dignity and complaints

Discipline

Investigation, evidence and proportional response

Information

Confidentiality, acceptable use and cybersecurity

Expenses

Travel, benefits, procurement and reimbursement

Training

Qualification Plan and Confirmation of Passage

09

Termination: grounds, procedure, calculation

Resignation, expiry, mutual termination, redundancy and dismissal have different grounds and consequences. Before notification, the contract, reason, evidence, notice, unused vacation, end-of-service award, return of property, immigration steps and the final entry in the systems are checked.

10

Complaint and labor dispute

The company stores signed contracts, Qiwa records, payroll, attendance, warnings, investigations and calculations. The claims stage, reconciliation and consideration by the competent labor authority are planned taking into account mandatory deadlines and Arabic-language evidence.

11

Before the first working day

1. 01

   Check activity, Nitaqat band and profession.

2. 02

   Agree on contract, Qiwa record and immigration file.

3. 03

   Set up payroll, GOSI, insurance and leave records.

4. 04

   Issue policies, access and data notices.

5. 05

   Create a probation and termination calendar.