As per Article 36 of Saudi Labor Law, the Ministry of Labor has reserved around 73 Iqama professions for Saudis only. Expatriate employees working in these professions would not be able to renew their Iqamas.
Arab News has reported that authorities have added 41 more professions into the category of professions reserved only for Saudis making it a total of 72 professions.
They will either have to change profession or leave the job. Ministry of Interior will not be renewing Iqamas for those professions.
List of Iqama Professions reserved for Saudis
1-Cashier
2-Complaint Clerk or Claims Clerk
3-Booking Clerk
4-Customs Broker or Customs Clearance Employee
5-Director of personnel relations
6-Director of labor affairs
7-Reservation Agent
8-Tourist Program Designer
9-Duty Clerk or Attendance Control Clerk
10-Employment clerk
11-Executive HR Manager
12-Female Sales Specialist for Ladies Shop
13-Head of Personnel Department
14-HR Manager
15-Senior HR Coordinator
16-Payroll Officer
17-HR Director
18-Compensation and Benefits Officer
19-Training Manager
20-Key Specialist
21-Labor Affairs Manager
22-Receptionist (general)
23-Receptionist (hospitals)
24-Receptionist (hotel)
25-Recruitment Clerk or Employment Clerk
26-Representative or Broker
27-Security Guard
28-Treasurer
29-Staff Affairs Clerk or Personal Affairs Clerk
30-Staff Relations Manager
31-Staff Relations Specialist
32-Individual Affairs Clerk
33-Timekeeper
34-Typist
Ministry of Labor has banned expatriates from working as Sales and retail staff at the following stores and branches. However, it will not be implemented immediately as you can see the implementation dates in the below screen. – Arab News
35-Shops selling watches
36-Shops selling Eye-Glasses and Frames
37-Medical appliances and equipment shops
38-Electrical appliances and electronic shops
39-Car Spare Parts Shops
40-Building and construction material shops
41-Shops selling Carpets
42-Automobile and motorbike showrooms
43-Home and office furniture shops
44-Readymade garments, children and men's wear
45-Household utensils shops
46-Confectionery shops and patisseries
The expatriates would not be allowed to work on the following 41 professions in the non-governmental organizations and hospitality and tourism sector. The deadline for the NGOs is April 07, 2019 and for private companies and June 10, 2019, for the hospitality and tourism sector.
47-Light-vehicle driver
48-Order Taker
49-Safety and security officer
50-safety and security supervisor
51-food service employee
52-telephone operator
53-supervisor of telephone operators
54-data-entry clerk
55-administrative clerk
56-secretary
57-general services supervisor
58-room service supervisor
59-maintenance supervisor
60-sales and marketing supervisor
61-tourism programs supervisor
62-front office supervisor
63-director of security and safety
64-acting director
65-maintenance manager
66-room service manager
67-customer service manager
68-administrative manager
69-sales and marketing representative
70-director of tourism programs
71-director of the front office
72-director of staff relations
73-Health and Safety professionals
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