Saudi Nitaqat Wage Threshold to Reach SAR6,000 in 2028

If you’re a Saudi employee in the private sector, don’t assume your salary will automatically rise to SAR5,000 on April 25, 2027. The announced change is about how your employer counts you under Nitaqat.

The Saudi Press Agency says the wage required for a Saudi worker to count fully toward Nitaqat Saudization percentages will rise to SAR5,000. It will then rise to SAR6,000 after 12 months.

When the New Thresholds Start

The first phase is reported to begin on April 25, 2027. From that date, SAR5,000 will be the wage threshold for a Saudi private-sector employee to count fully in Nitaqat.

The second phase is reported to begin on April 25, 2028, raising the threshold to SAR6,000. The official SPA announcement confirms that the second increase comes 12 months after the first increase starts.

These dates give workers and employers time to review their electronically documented contracts before the first phase.

This Is Not a General Minimum Salary Announcement

The wording matters. The official announcement describes the amount a Saudi worker must earn to count fully toward an employer’s Nitaqat Saudization percentage. It does not announce that every Saudi private-sector employment contract must automatically be changed to SAR5,000 or SAR6,000.

For example, if your documented salary is below SAR5,000 when the first phase begins, you should not treat this announcement by itself as confirmation of a pay rise. You need to check what your employment contract says and ask your employer how the new Nitaqat threshold affects your record.

Your contractual salary and your employer’s Nitaqat calculation are related, but they are not the same question. The confirmed change concerns whether you count fully for Saudization purposes.

What About the Five Reported Worker Categories?

Some reports describe five worker categories as being covered by the change. However, the category breakdown and the future counting method for each category have not yet been confirmed through official HRSD, Qiwa or SPA guidance.

This matters especially if you are a part-time, flexible, student or disabled worker. Do not assume that the new SAR5,000 or SAR6,000 amount will make you count fully under Nitaqat. Wait for updated official guidance or ask your employer for written clarification.

The same caution applies if someone tells you that your category will receive an automatic salary adjustment. Check the documented contract rather than relying on a verbal message.

Check Your Contract in Qiwa

Since April 15, 2026, Nitaqat calculations have been based on employment contracts documented electronically through Qiwa. An inaccurate or missing record could therefore affect how the employment is counted.

Open your Qiwa Individuals account and check:

• Employer: Make sure the correct company is shown.
• Monthly wage: Compare the amount with your agreed salary.
• Employment type: Check that your working arrangement is recorded correctly.
• Job and start date: Review both for mistakes.
• Benefits and allowances: Confirm that the documented details match your agreement.

Do not approve a contract containing inaccurate information. HRSD says employees can approve, reject or request changes to an employment contract through Qiwa Individuals.

If you are reviewing a new offer or employment terms, you can also read the practical information in our Gulf job guides.

Open Qiwa today and compare every contract detail with the agreement provided by your employer.