In Saudi Arabia, how you dress for work has always said something about more than your job title. From the thobe in a government corridor to the tailored suit in an international boardroom, professional attire here reflects identity, respect, and cultural belonging.
Until now, many of these expectations were guided more by convention than written policy.
As the Kingdom’s workforce grows more diverse and globally connected, workplace expectations are evolving. In response, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has released a draft for the new Saudi dress code for work to unify appearance and conduct standards across the public sector, private companies, and non-profit organizations.
The Workforce Changed First
Saudi Arabia’s workplace looks very different from what it did a decade ago. More nationals are entering the private sector. Women are building careers across finance, healthcare, technology, and tourism. International companies have set up regional headquarters in Riyadh and Jeddah, bringing teams from dozens of countries with their own assumptions about what “professional” looks like.
Much of this transformation has taken place under Vision 2030’s industrial incentives and economic reforms, which have expanded private sector employment, encouraged international investment, and attracted global talent. The new Saudi dress code for work provides a shared framework that reflects the Kingdom’s cultural values while supporting the modern, multicultural workplace Saudi Arabia is building.
The Dress Code, Explained
Saudi Men
Saudi men are expected to wear the national dress, a thobe paired with a ghutra or shemagh. This has long been standard across government offices; now the expectation extends to private and non-profit sectors, reinforcing cultural identity as a visible part of professional life.
Non-Saudi Men
Non-Saudi men are expected to wear formal business attire, specifically a suit. For expat professionals who’ve navigated years of loosely defined “business casual” across different Saudi workplaces, this removes the guesswork.
Women (All Nationalities)
Under the new Saudi dress code for work draft, female employees of all nationalities are expected to follow these appearance standards:
- Clothing should provide appropriate body coverage
- Fabrics must not be transparent
- Attire should not be tight-fitting or revealing
The same standards apply during work, official events, and professional media appearances.
Across the Board
Clothing or accessories carrying political or ideological messaging are not considered appropriate in professional settings. In sectors where uniforms are standard, they must meet the same expectations for full coverage, professional presentation, and clean upkeep at all times.
The draft Code of Appearance and Conduct also looks beyond clothing, setting expectations for how employees represent their organizations at official events and in professional media appearances.
What Employers Need to Do
The new Saudi dress code for work places certain responsibilities on employers too:
- Develop a written internal dress code aligned with the HRSD national framework
- Make appearance expectations clearly available to all employees
- Align policies within 30 days once the final regulations hit the Official Gazette
Under Saudi Labour Law, failing to do so may result in penalties, with fines historically reaching up to SR 5,000. Here’s a full breakdown of what the law requires.
A Quick Guide for New Arrivals
Before you arrive, check with your employer about their internal dress code. Most companies will have one aligned with the new framework by the time you start. If you’re still in the planning stages, our guide to moving to Saudi Arabia covers everything you need to know before you land
One practical note: when in doubt, dress more formally rather than less. Saudi professional culture tends to reward effort in presentation, and what reads as “smart casual” in many international offices can read as underdressed here.
First time in the Kingdom? Our Saudi Arabia travel tips cover the cultural context that makes navigating professional and public life here a lot smoother.
Beyond the Policy
For decades, Saudi men wore the thobe, and women dressed modestly because the culture expected it, while expats figured it out through observation.
The informal system worked for local, culturally similar workplaces. It works less well when your Riyadh office has employees from fifteen countries, your Jeddah hospital is onboarding international medical staff, and your project site is bringing together engineers from three continents.
For a country actively inviting the world into its workplaces through international hiring, foreign investment, and global partnerships, the new Saudi dress code for work is worth more than it might seem. Saudi Arabia’s professional culture has always been intentional about how it presents itself. Now the framework is, too.
FAQs
What is the new Saudi dress code for work?
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has introduced a draft Code of Appearance and Conduct that sets unified standards for dress and professional presentation across Saudi Arabia’s public, private, and non-profit sectors. Under the proposed framework, Saudi men wear national dress, non-Saudi men wear formal business attire, and female employees of all nationalities are expected to dress modestly in non-transparent, loose clothing with appropriate coverage.
Does the new Saudi workplace dress code apply to expatriates?
Yes. The proposed guidelines apply to both Saudi nationals and expatriates. Non-Saudi men are expected to wear a formal suit, while female employees of all nationalities follow the same modest dress standards.
When will the new regulations come into effect?
The draft regulations are expected to take effect 30 days after the final version is published in the Official Gazette.
What should employers do to prepare?
Organizations are expected to develop an internal dress code aligned with the HRSD framework, communicate those standards clearly to employees, and update their workplace policies once the regulations come into force.
Do the dress code rules only apply inside the workplace?
The proposed standards also extend to official events, public forums, and professional media appearances where employees are representing their organization.
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This article is brought to you by Soul of Saudi (a Saudi travel blog dedicated to uncovering the beauty, heart, and soul of the Kingdom)
