Last updated: 22 October 2026
Qiwa, the labour platform of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), sorts every establishment in Saudi Arabia into 7 sizes by its number of workers: two small categories, three medium, one large and one giant. A company with 5 workers or fewer is Small (A), and one with 3,000 or more is Giant, Okaz and Saudi Gazette reported on 21 October 2026.
The 7 Qiwa establishment sizes
| Size 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 |
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Monshaat uses a different scale
The same reports point out that the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monshaat) has its own 4-level scale, which looks at full-time employees and annual revenue together:
| Monshaat size | Full-time employees | 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 | Over SAR 200 million |
So a company with 120 workers is Medium (B) on Qiwa and medium on Monshaat’s scale, but one with 300 workers is Medium (C) on Qiwa while Monshaat would count it as large. The two scales are separate, so when a rule or support programme mentions company size, check which one it refers to.
Why your employer’s size matters to you
If you work in the private sector, your employer’s size is one of the factors behind its Nitaqat rating. Saudization targets are set by the establishment’s activity and size, and the rating decides whether the company can renew work permits, bring new workers or accept transfers. You can see where your company stands with our guide to checking your iqama colour and Nitaqat status.
- Log in to Qiwa with Nafath to see your employer, your contract and your work permit details.
- Before you accept a job offer, ask the company for its size and Nitaqat colour, especially if it is a small business.
- Planning to start your own company? Our business setup guide walks through licences and the first steps.
Sources: Okaz and Saudi Gazette, 21 October 2026, citing the Qiwa platform of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.