Hiring a housemaid, driver or other domestic worker in Saudi Arabia runs entirely through Musaned, the government’s official recruitment platform. This guide explains how Musaned works in 2026, what recruitment costs by nationality in Saudi riyals (SAR), your obligations as an employer, the new wage-protection rules and the contract process.
What is Musaned?
Musaned is the unified electronic platform run by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD). It handles every step of recruiting a domestic worker — selecting a licensed agency, issuing the visa, signing the contract, tracking costs and, from 2026, paying wages. Using Musaned is mandatory; recruiting outside the platform is not legal and leaves both parties without protection.
The recruitment process, step by step
- Log in to Musaned with your Absher/Nafath credentials and confirm your eligibility to sponsor a worker.
- Choose the worker’s nationality and a licensed recruitment agency, and review the fixed-price package.
- Pay the agency package and government fees through the platform.
- Sign the unified employment contract electronically via the e-Tawtheeq attestation system.
- The worker completes an overseas medical exam, receives the visa and travels to the Kingdom.
- On arrival, complete the Iqama (residence permit) and set up the mandatory electronic salary payment.
Your Absher and Muqeem accounts manage the residency side — see our Absher and Muqeem 2026 guide for how those platforms work.
Recruitment costs by nationality
The MHRSD caps how much agencies may charge per worker, and prices vary sharply by nationality. The figures below are the official maximum recruitment limits (exclusive of VAT); actual agency packages often come in lower.
| Nationality | Official maximum recruitment cost (SAR, excl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Ethiopia | 6,900 (from ~4,999) |
| Uganda | 9,500 |
| Thailand | 10,000 |
| Kenya | 10,870 |
| Bangladesh | 13,000 |
| Sri Lanka | 15,000 |
| Philippines | 17,288 |
All-in, once you add the visa, Iqama, medical exam, insurance and flights, most families spend roughly SAR 8,000–21,000 upfront depending on nationality, plus the worker’s monthly salary.
Government and employer fees
| Item | Typical cost (SAR) |
|---|---|
| Work visa issuance | 300–500 |
| Iqama (1 year) | 1,200 |
| Iqama (2 years) | 2,400 |
| Overseas medical exam | 200–400 |
| Mandatory health insurance (annual) | 400–1,200 |
| Air ticket | 700–2,500 |
Monthly salaries generally run SAR 1,200–1,800 depending on nationality and role, with some lower-tier packages starting below that.
Wage protection: the 2026 e-salary rule
From 1 January 2026, all domestic-worker salaries must be paid electronically through Musaned’s wage system. Employers must open an approved digital wallet or bank account for the worker and transfer the contracted amount at the end of each Hijri month — cash payment is no longer legal. The change creates an auditable record that protects workers against unpaid or partial wages and shields employers from disputes.
Employer obligations and the contract
Every domestic worker must have a written contract registered and attested through Musaned’s e-Tawtheeq system, which locks in the agreed salary, working hours and duties for both sides. Beyond wages, your core duties include at least one paid rest day per week that cannot be absorbed back into work, and paying for the worker’s repatriation flight at the end of the contract. For the wider framework of workers’ rights and end-of-service entitlements, see our Saudi labour law and end-of-service guide. Household running costs also matter when budgeting — our Jeddah cost of living guide puts a domestic worker’s salary in context.
Who can sponsor a domestic worker?
Not every resident can recruit through Musaned. Sponsorship is generally open to Saudi citizens and eligible residents who meet the income and household criteria set by the MHRSD, and the platform checks your status automatically when you log in. Families are usually limited in how many domestic workers they may sponsor, based on household size and demonstrated need, so it is worth confirming your eligibility before you shortlist an agency.
Nationality availability changes
The list of countries you can recruit from shifts as Saudi Arabia signs, suspends or restarts labour agreements. Ethiopia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda and Thailand are common source countries, but recruitment from any one of them can be paused and later reopened. Always check which nationalities are currently available on Musaned — and the live price cap for each — before committing to a package, as both can change from year to year.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay the worker in cash? No — from 1 January 2026 wages must be paid electronically through Musaned’s wage system. Who pays for the return flight? The employer covers the worker’s repatriation at the end of the contract. Is a written contract mandatory? Yes — every contract must be registered and attested through the e-Tawtheeq system.
Bottom line
Musaned makes hiring a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia transparent and legally binding, but it is also strict: use the platform, respect the price caps, sign the e-contract and pay wages electronically from 2026. Budget SAR 8,000–21,000 upfront plus a monthly salary, and factor in the Iqama, insurance and flights that come with being a responsible sponsor.
Primary source: the Saudi visa platform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
