A Saudi job ad says "Saudi nationals only". Should I still apply as an expatriate?

Usually not. Some roles are restricted to nationals because of employer policy or localisation programmes, and an application from a non-Saudi will normally not be considered. Applying anyway takes your time and the recruiter's.

What to do instead:

• Look for adverts that are open to all nationalities, or that mention "expatriates" or "all nationalities".
• Contact the employer or agency if the wording is unclear.
• Keep your nationality visible in your CV, so recruiters can match you quickly to open roles.

The rules on which jobs are reserved for nationals are set by the government and change over time. If you need to know the details, check the official government portal rather than relying on forums. Social media posts about which jobs are reserved are often out of date or wrong.