How is the Saudization certificate issued?

On Qiwa: log in to the business account, go to Establishment Information, select Certifications, then issue and print the localization certificate (HRSD). The service is immediate and needs no documents.

How long is the Saudization certificate valid?

HRSD's Nitaqat manual version 3.0 states three months from the date of issue. The 2026 Nitaqat Mutawar guide does not state a period, so check the date printed on your certificate.

Which establishments can issue it?

Those that exist in the Ministry's system and whose Nitaqat level is between Platinum and Low Green (Green for Small A establishments), according to HRSD's Certificates service.

What are the Nitaqat bands?

Platinum, High Green, Medium Green, Low Green and Red, assigned by comparing the entity's Saudization rate with the minimum rate for each band (Nitaqat Mutawar procedural guide 2026).

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Keep your Saudization certificate current

The Saudization (Nitaqat) certificate is issued and printed by the employer on the Qiwa business account, immediately and free, provided the establishment's Nitaqat level is between Platinum and Low Green; a Red-band establishment cannot issue it (HRSD). The Nitaqat manual 3.0 gives three months' validity.

The Saudization (localization) certificate is issued and printed by the employer on Qiwa, the platform of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD). HRSD's service guide describes an immediate electronic service with no fee: log in to the Qiwa business account, open Establishment Information, choose Certificates, and issue and print the certificate.

HRSD's Certificates service sets two conditions: the establishment must exist, and its Nitaqat level must be between Platinum and Low Green (Green for Small A establishments). The service is fully automated and needs no documents. An establishment in the Red band therefore cannot issue the certificate.

The Nitaqat Mutawar procedural guide (2026) classifies each entity by its Saudization rate into Platinum, High Green, Medium Green, Low Green or Red, calculated at entity level from the averages of Saudi and expatriate workers. HRSD's Nitaqat manual (version 3.0) states that the localization certificate is valid for three months from its date of issue and is among the main requirements for government tenders and for payment claims on those projects.

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At a glance

Issued through	Qiwa business account (HRSD): Establishment Information, then Certificates
Validity	Three months from the date of issue (HRSD Nitaqat manual, version 3.0)
Condition	Nitaqat level between Platinum and Low Green (Green for Small A); the Red band cannot issue it
Band is based on	The entity's Saudization rate compared with the thresholds for its activity and workforce size (Nitaqat Mutawar guide 2026)
Documents	None; the service is fully automated and immediate
Used for	Government tenders and payment claims on government projects (Nitaqat manual 3.0)

The three-month validity comes from HRSD's Nitaqat manual version 3.0, which predates the Nitaqat Mutawar programme; the 2026 procedural guide and the current service pages do not state a period. Check the expiry date printed on the certificate you issue.

Who is responsible?

The employer. The establishment owner or the Qiwa business-account user issues the certificate (HRSD). Because the certificate is only available while the establishment is in a green or platinum band, the person who monitors Saudization should own the reminder.

If the deadline passes

An expired certificate is simply re-issued on Qiwa, provided the establishment still meets the band condition. If the band has fallen to Red, HRSD's Certificates service will not issue it, and the Nitaqat Mutawar guide adds that red-band establishments cannot apply for new visas, change expatriate workers' occupations, receive transferred workers, or issue and renew work permits. The Labor Law also lets the Ministry refuse to renew work permits when the employer breaches its Saudization criteria (Article 35).

What moves the band?

The Nitaqat Mutawar guide defines the Saudization rate as the sum of average Saudi workers divided by the sum of average Saudi and expatriate workers across the entity, multiplied by 100. The minimum rate for each band depends on the economic activity and the total workforce; Annex 1 of the guide gives the constants for 2026, 2027 and 2028. HRSD offers a Nitaqat calculator and an establishment-scope query on Qiwa (Establishments, then Establishment Assessment).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add your establishment (or each entity that issues its own certificate) and record the certificate's issue date and expiry date.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry and on the expiry day; with a three-month certificate, the first reminder comes about a month after issue.
Assign a responsible person (for example HR or your Qiwa user) so the right person gets the reminder.
If the document passes its expiry date, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Ask for the renewed document through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.
Emails arrive in each recipient's language, Arabic included.

Frequently asked questions

How is the Saudization certificate issued?: On Qiwa: log in to the business account, go to Establishment Information, select Certifications, then issue and print the localization certificate (HRSD). The service is immediate and needs no documents.
How long is the Saudization certificate valid?: HRSD's Nitaqat manual version 3.0 states three months from the date of issue. The 2026 Nitaqat Mutawar guide does not state a period, so check the date printed on your certificate.
Which establishments can issue it?: Those that exist in the Ministry's system and whose Nitaqat level is between Platinum and Low Green (Green for Small A establishments), according to HRSD's Certificates service.
What are the Nitaqat bands?: Platinum, High Green, Medium Green, Low Green and Red, assigned by comparing the entity's Saudization rate with the minimum rate for each band (Nitaqat Mutawar procedural guide 2026).

Sources

Last checked: Oct 10, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

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Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each saudization (Nitaqat) certificate (Saudi Arabia) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

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