Wage Protection Program

New Rules Introduced for Worker Transfers Saudi Arabia has introduced a new Saudi foreign worker transfer service, allowing individuals to apply electronically for the transfer of foreign employees from private-sector companies to domestic occupations. The initiative, announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, is aimed at improving labour market efficiency, strengthening transparency and ensuring better regulation of employment practices throughout the kingdom. Under the new system, eligible applicants will be able to submit requests through a dedicated online platform instead of relying on traditional administrative procedures. Officials said the measure would simplify the process while ensuring compliance with labour regulations and employment standards. The move is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to modernise public services and enhance the efficiency of labour market management through digital technologies. The newly launched Saudi foreign worker transfer service establishes several requirements that applicants must satisfy before a transfer request can be approved. According to the ministry, foreign workers must possess valid work permits and must not be employed in occupations categorised as highly specialised professions. The restrictions apply to employees working in sectors such as education, healthcare, engineering, information technology and other specialised fields. Authorities have also excluded workers employed in professions that have been fully Saudised under the government’s localisation policies. In addition, the new position must be officially recognised as a domestic occupation under Saudi labour regulations. Officials explained that the measures are intended to maintain balance within the labour market while protecting employment opportunities for Saudi citizens. Applicants Must Submit Supporting Documents Under the new regulations, individuals applying for a worker transfer will be required to provide several supporting documents through the online platform. Among the requirements is an electronically certified waiver from the worker’s existing employer. The document must also receive approval from the relevant chamber of commerce. Applicants must submit evidence of their financial capability by providing either a salary certificate or a recent bank statement. Authorities have also made it mandatory for applicants to upload a copy of the worker’s residency permit, which must contain the expatriate’s signature and fingerprint information. The application process additionally requires the submission of information regarding the proposed domestic occupation, along with the applicant’s full name and national identity card number. According to ministry officials, all supporting documents must be uploaded electronically in approved formats, including PDF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, DOCX and XLSX files. Each document must not exceed a maximum size of three megabytes. Wage Protection Programme Now Mandatory The launch of the Saudi foreign worker transfer service coincides with the expansion of the Wage Protection Program for domestic workers. Saudi authorities have made the programme mandatory to ensure that workers receive their wages through officially approved payment channels. Officials believe the initiative will strengthen the protection of workers’ rights while improving transparency and accountability within the labour market. The programme is also designed to help resolve disputes between employers and workers by creating a more transparent payment system. Government officials have stated that these measures will encourage greater compliance with labour regulations and contribute to a more efficient employment environment. Annual Fees and Exemptions Announced The ministry has also confirmed the introduction of annual charges related to the employment of domestic workers. Under the new policy, Saudi citizens who employ more than four domestic workers and residents who employ more than two workers will be required to pay an annual fee of 9,600 Saudi riyals for each additional employee. However, authorities have announced exemptions for humanitarian cases, including people with disabilities and individuals suffering from chronic or severe illnesses. The latest reforms reflect Saudi Arabia’s continuing efforts to modernise labour regulations and strengthen oversight of employment practices.