New digital process supports labour market regulation while strengthening compliance and wage protection
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has launched a new electronic service that allows individuals to request the transfer of foreign workers from private sector establishments to domestic employment, subject to specific eligibility criteria.
The new service aims to regulate the movement of foreign workers from companies to households for approved domestic professions. At the same time, it strengthens labour market governance and ensures compliance with the Kingdom’s employment regulations.
The announcement comes alongside the mandatory implementation of the Wage Protection Program for domestic workers, reinforcing the government’s broader efforts to improve transparency and protect workers’ rights.
Eligibility criteria for transferring foreign workers
Under the new rules, a foreign worker must hold a valid work permit before a transfer request can proceed. In addition, the worker cannot currently be employed in a high-level profession such as education, healthcare, engineering, technical or specialist roles. The ministry also excludes professions that have already been fully Saudised.
Furthermore, the requested role must fall under the list of recognised domestic professions.
The ministry requires applicants to submit several documents through its electronic platform. These include:
- An electronically certified waiver from the previous employer, authenticated by the Chamber of Commerce.
- A salary certificate for the new employer or a bank statement proving financial capability.
- A copy of the worker’s residency permit carrying the expatriate’s fingerprint and signature.
- Details of the intended domestic profession.
- The new employer’s name and national identity number.
Applicants must upload supporting documents in PDF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, DOCX or XLSX formats. Moreover, each file must not exceed 3 MB.
Wage Protection Program becomes mandatory for domestic workers
The launch of the transfer service coincides with the mandatory rollout of the Wage Protection Program for domestic workers.
According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the programme requires wages to be paid through approved payment channels. As a result, it helps safeguard the rights of both employers and workers while increasing transparency across the domestic labour market.
Annual fee applies beyond worker limits
Saudi authorities also confirmed that Saudi citizens may employ up to four domestic workers without paying an additional annual levy. Meanwhile, residents may employ up to two domestic workers under the same rules.
However, an annual fee of SR9,600 applies for every additional domestic worker above these limits.
The ministry noted that humanitarian exemptions remain available for individuals with disabilities and people living with chronic or serious illnesses.
