Qiwa Sorts Saudi Companies Into 7 Size Categories: What It Means for Workers
Saudi Arabia's Qiwa platform groups private employers into 7 size bands, from 5 workers or fewer to 3,000 or more. Company size affects Nitaqat Saudization targets and training duties.
Saudi ArabiaIn brief
- Qiwa classifies Saudi private-sector employers into 7 size categories based on how many workers they have.
- The bands run from Small A (5 workers or fewer) to Giant (3,000 workers or more).
- Company size is one of the factors used to set Nitaqat Saudization requirements.
- Firms with 50 or more workers must also offer on-the-job training to Saudi graduates and job seekers equal to at least 2% of their workforce each year.
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|
| Organization | Qiwa / Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) |
| Official source | KSA Expats – reporting Okaz on Qiwa's establishment size categories (21 October 2026) ✓ ksaexpats.com |
Saudi Arabia's Qiwa labour platform, which belongs to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), groups private-sector employers into seven size categories based purely on headcount. The breakdown was reported by the Saudi daily Okaz on 21 October 2026.
The 7 categories
| Category | Number of workers |
|---|---|
| Small A | 5 or fewer |
| Small B | 6 to 49 |
| Medium A | 50 to 99 |
| Medium B | 100 to 199 |
| Medium C | 200 to 499 |
| Large | 500 to 2,999 |
| Giant | 3,000 or more |
You can see your employer's details and its classification on Qiwa.
Why it matters
Nitaqat Saudization targets
Under Nitaqat, Saudi Arabia's Saudization programme, the share of Saudi staff a company must reach depends on several factors, including its economic activity, its size and how many Saudis it already employs. A company's Nitaqat status then affects services such as issuing and renewing work visas.
Read more: Saudization 2026 and the 340,000-job Nitaqat target.
Training duties for firms with 50+ staff
A ministerial decision from February 2026 requires employers with 50 or more workers to offer on-the-job training places to Saudi graduates and job seekers equal to at least 2% of their workforce each year, subject to conditions.
Qiwa vs Monsha'at
Don't confuse Qiwa's bands with the categories used by Monsha'at, the Small and Medium Enterprises authority. Monsha'at looks at both full-time staff and annual revenue:
| Monsha'at category | Full-time staff | Annual revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Micro | 1 to 5 | Up to SAR 3 million |
| Small | 6 to 49 | Over SAR 3 million, up to SAR 40 million |
| Medium | 50 to 249 | Over SAR 40 million, up to SAR 200 million |
| Large | 250 or more | Or revenue over SAR 200 million |
When staff numbers and revenue point to different categories, Monsha'at uses the higher one.
What it means for expat workers
- Check your employer's Nitaqat status on Qiwa. A company in a low Nitaqat band may struggle to renew visas, which can affect your residency.
- Bigger employers face more Saudization pressure in many sectors, so expats in roles being localised should keep their skills and certificates current.
- Before accepting a Saudi job offer, ask about the company's size and Saudization standing.
Related: Saudi expat workforce shrinks for the first time in over two years.
Frequently asked questions
What are Qiwa's establishment size categories?
Small A (up to 5 workers), Small B (6 to 49), Medium A (50 to 99), Medium B (100 to 199), Medium C (200 to 499), Large (500 to 2,999) and Giant (3,000 or more).
Why does company size matter for expats in Saudi Arabia?
Size is one of the inputs to Nitaqat, Saudi Arabia's Saudization system, which affects how many Saudis a company must employ and therefore how freely it can hire and renew foreign workers.
Is Qiwa's size category the same as Monsha'at's SME classification?
No. Qiwa counts workers only. Monsha'at, the SME authority, uses both full-time staff numbers and annual revenue, so the same company can be classified differently.
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