TaxSavvySA

Red band consequences

What happens in the Red band?

The situation

Red entities lose new and renewed work permits for non-Saudis and service transfers, in addition to Low Green restrictions.

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

In Red, new and renewed work permits for non-Saudis stop, along with service transfers, on top of the Low Green limits. Expat staff whose permits lapse cannot keep working legally. Act fast: hire Saudis paid SAR 4,000 or more to move up.

What to do

  1. Check band.
  2. Hire.
  3. Monitor.

We can do this for youNitaqat Saudization health check under the Developed Nitaqat programme 2026 to 2028: SAR 2,500

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