TaxSavvySA

Profession change refused on Qiwa

Qiwa refuses to change my GM's profession title. Why?

The situation

Under the 2026 Nitaqat guide, profession changes are suspended for Low Green and Red entities, and some professions are reserved for Saudis.

The law

  • Developed Nitaqat Programme (Ministerial Decision 182495; Procedural Guide 2026): Required Saudi percentage depends on entity size and activity; bands Platinum, Green levels and Red

What it means for you

Check the band first. If you are Low Green, hire Saudis to move up and then retry. If the target profession is reserved, choose a different title that fits the real job. Employees in fully Saudised professions are generally barred from changing their registered profession.

What to do

  1. Check the band on Qiwa.
  2. Check whether the new title is reserved.
  3. Raise the band or pick a permitted title.

We can do this for youIqama and work permit for the company's general manager and first expat hires: SAR 2,500

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