But the rules of the Saudi labour market are changing. As part of its Saudization policy, the Kingdom is progressively reserving a growing share of private-sector positions for Saudi citizens. Since April 22, 2026, a major new phase has affected tourism and hospitality in particular — two sectors in which foreign workers, including Moroccans, have traditionally been present.
The reform does not target Moroccans specifically. It applies to foreign workers generally. But for Moroccans considering a career in Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca, Medina or the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding tourism destinations, understanding which professions are becoming harder to access is now essential.
41 tourism professions are being progressively localized
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, working with the Ministry of Tourism, has ordered the localization of 41 professions in the tourism sector.
Implementation is spread over three stages: the first began on April 22, 2026, the second is scheduled for January 3, 2027, and the final stage for January 2, 2028. The rules apply to private-sector tourism establishments across Saudi Arabia.
The objective is straightforward: create more employment opportunities for Saudi men and women while reducing dependence on foreign labour in selected occupations. For Moroccan workers, however, the impact varies considerably depending on the job.
Reception jobs: effectively closed to new foreign recruitment
The strongest localization rate is 100%. Since April 22, four occupations in tourism establishments fall into this category: receptionist, hotel receptionist, switchboard operator and information clerk.
These jobs must now be filled by Saudi nationals under the applicable localization rules. For Moroccans seeking entry-level positions in hotels, this is perhaps the clearest change.
Hotel reception was traditionally one of the natural entry points for multilingual foreign workers, particularly those fluent in Arabic, French and English. That door has now become significantly narrower.
Other tourism professions face 70% localization
A second group of 12 occupations is subject to a 70% Saudization rate. Among the professions highlighted by the Saudi ministry are hotel control manager, hotel control specialist, tourism guidance specialist, procurement specialist and sales specialist. Foreign employees are not automatically banned from every position in this category.
But companies must ensure that Saudis occupy 70% of the relevant roles. For a Moroccan applicant, that means fewer available positions and stronger competition for the remaining share.
Travel agencies and hospitality are also affected
Another 12 professions are subject to a 50% localization rate during the first phase. They include positions such as tourism development specialist, purchasing representative, travel agent and hospitality specialist.
Once again, this does not amount to a complete ban on foreign recruitment. But an employer can no longer build a team in these professions primarily around expatriate workers.
Half of the targeted workforce must meet the Saudi nationality requirement. For experienced Moroccan professionals, opportunities can therefore remain — but they are becoming more selective.
The pressure will continue in 2027 and 2028
The process is not finished. From January 3, 2027, the chef profession is scheduled to be subject to a 30% Saudization requirement. Then, from January 2, 2028, a targeted group of managerial professions will face a 50% localization rate.
This matters for Moroccans already building long-term careers in Saudi hospitality. The issue is no longer only whether a job is accessible today, but whether the position may become subject to a higher localization requirement within the next two years.
Sales and marketing have also become more difficult
Tourism is not the only sector affected. Since April 19, 2026, Saudi Arabia has raised Saudization in a number of marketing and sales professions to 60% for establishments meeting the relevant staffing threshold.
Targeted marketing positions include marketing manager, advertising manager, public relations specialist, marketing specialist, graphic designer and public relations manager.
This is particularly relevant for Moroccan professionals because sales, communication, luxury retail, hospitality marketing and customer-facing roles have long attracted multilingual expatriates. The market remains open, but the available space for foreign recruitment is shrinking in targeted professions.
Does Saudization mean there are no longer opportunities for Moroccans?
No. Saudi Arabia continues to employ a large international workforce, and its economy is expanding in tourism, entertainment, construction, technology, health, major infrastructure projects and services.
What is changing is the profile of the foreign worker likely to remain competitive.
The safest strategy is increasingly to bring expertise that an employer cannot easily replace: specialized technical knowledge, significant international experience, rare language combinations, sector-specific management expertise or skills linked to rapidly developing projects.
In other words, the Saudi market is gradually becoming less favourable to the generic expatriate profile and more selective toward specialized talent.
Moroccan candidates should look beyond the job title
For anyone considering Saudi Arabia, reading the title of a job advertisement is no longer enough. A Moroccan applicant should determine whether the profession falls under a localization decision, what percentage applies, whether the employer has sufficient quota capacity to recruit a foreign worker and whether the position could be affected by a future phase.
This is particularly important before accepting an offer or investing money in recruitment procedures. Saudization does not necessarily mean that an occupation has disappeared for foreigners.
Sometimes it means that only 30% or 50% of the positions remain available outside the Saudi workforce. That distinction can determine whether an application is realistic.
A changing Gulf labour market
For Moroccans interested in the Gulf, the message is therefore not that Saudi Arabia is “closing its doors”. The reality is more nuanced.
The Kingdom is reorganizing its labour market around a clear national priority: Saudi citizens should occupy a larger share of jobs created by the country’s economic transformation.
For Moroccan professionals, this means adapting. Reception and some customer-service occupations are becoming extremely difficult to access. Tourism, hospitality, purchasing, sales and marketing are becoming more selective. Additional managerial and culinary positions will face localization requirements in the coming stages.
At the same time, qualified foreign expertise will continue to have a place in an economy investing heavily in new industries and large-scale projects. The question for Moroccan jobseekers is therefore changing. It is no longer simply:
“Are there jobs in Saudi Arabia?”
It is becoming:
“Which skills can I offer that remain valuable in a labour market increasingly designed to employ Saudi nationals first?”
For Moroccans looking toward Riyadh and the wider Saudi market, knowing the answer before applying may now make all the difference.
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