COMPLETE GUIDE · 2026 EDITION · HRSD-VERIFIED

Musaned in Saudi Arabia — The Complete 2026 Guide

Everything you need to hire a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia through the HRSD-regulated Musaned platform: how to choose an office, the new mandatory e-salary system, costs, contracts, and what to do if something goes wrong.

1,400+
HRSD-licensed recruitment offices on Musaned (2026)
1 Jan 2026
Date e-salary payment became mandatory under WPS
90 days
Standard probation period under Musaned contracts
2 years
Default Musaned contract duration

What is Musaned?

Musaned(Arabic: مساند, meaning "support" or "assistance") is the official electronic platform of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) for managing all domestic worker recruitment, contracts, payments, and disputes. Launched in 2014 and significantly expanded in 2024–2026, Musaned is now the only legal channel for hiring domestic workers in the Kingdom.

As of 2026, more than 1,400 HRSD-licensed recruitment officesare registered on the platform. Each office must comply with HRSD's ethical recruitment standards, publish a transparent fee schedule, and operate under the mandatory Wage Protection System (WPS) — meaning every salary payment from a sponsor to a worker now flows electronically through Musaned-registered bank accounts since 1 January 2026.

🔥 NEW IN 2026 — REGULATORY CHANGE

E-Salary mandate via WPS — what you need to know

From 1 January 2026, all domestic worker salaries in Saudi Arabia must be paid electronically through the Wage Protection System. Cash payments are no longer legal.

  • →All salaries paid via bank transfer (no cash) — registered through Musaned
  • →Worker must have a Saudi bank account (most banks open these for domestic workers free of charge)
  • →Late or missing payments trigger automatic HRSD alerts
  • →Penalties for non-compliance: SAR 5,000-10,000 fine per incident + ability to recruit suspended
  • →Compliance is checked monthly — your Musaned account shows status in real-time

2026 Musaned fee structure

Based on our 2026 audit of 60+ Musaned-licensed offices. Ranges reflect variation by nationality and office.

ItemTypical 2026 rangeNotes
Musaned visa feeSAR 1,000 – 2,000Government-set, varies by nationality
Recruitment office feeSAR 5,000 – 12,000Highest for Filipino/Indonesian workers
Source-country agency fee (pass-through)SAR 2,000 – 5,000Paid to the worker's home agency
Medical examinationSAR 200 – 400Source-country GCC-approved centre
GOSI / insurance enrolmentSAR 300 – 700Mandatory under WPS
Iqama issuance & renewalSAR 600 – 1,000/yearAnnual
Total first-year cost (typical)SAR 17,000 – 39,000Including 12 months of salary

Salary benchmarks by nationality in the 2026 GCC Salary Report (Saudi section).

The 7-step Musaned process

  1. 1
    1. Register on Musaned
    Create your family account at musaned.com.sa. Your Absher ID is your login. The platform is fully bilingual (Arabic + English).
  2. 2
    2. Pick a licensed recruitment office
    Musaned shows the full list of 1,400+ HRSD-licensed offices. Filter by city, target nationality, and average processing time. Read reviews.
  3. 3
    3. Sign the standard Musaned contract
    Contract is government-prescribed and bilingual. Two years default. Read the worker's specific nationality clauses (some nationalities have additional protections).
  4. 4
    4. Pay through Musaned (not the office directly)
    All payment flows through the Musaned platform — no cash hand-offs. This is the buyer-protection layer: if the office fails to deliver, you have a clear refund trail.
  5. 5
    5. Source-country processing
    The recruitment office handles visa application, source-country medical, training, and travel. Typical timeline: 3-8 weeks depending on nationality.
  6. 6
    6. Worker arrival + Iqama
    Worker lands in KSA, gets the local medical clearance, biometrics, and Iqama. The office files everything.
  7. 7
    7. WPS e-salary registration
    From 1 January 2026, all salary payments must go through the Wage Protection System. Register the worker's bank account in Musaned within 30 days of arrival.

Common questions & dispute scenarios

What if the worker absconds within the probation period?▾
Under Musaned rules, you can request a replacement worker at no additional fee from the same office within the 90-day probation period. If the office fails to provide a replacement, you can file a complaint via the Musaned platform and request a refund of the recruitment office fee.
How does the e-salary mandate (WPS) work?▾
From 1 January 2026, all salaries for domestic workers in Saudi Arabia must be paid via the Wage Protection System through the worker's registered bank account, not cash. Payment is initiated in Musaned and the worker receives an SMS confirmation. Failure to pay on time triggers an automatic HRSD alert and recurring non-compliance suspends your ability to recruit further workers.
Can I hire a domestic worker outside Musaned?▾
No. As of 2024 HRSD requires all domestic worker placements (maid, nanny, cook, driver, household help) to go through Musaned. Direct private sponsorship is no longer permitted for households.
Are recruitment office fees standardised?▾
Partially. Musaned publishes a maximum-fee ceiling for each nationality, but offices can charge below that. Compare offices on Musaned before committing — fees vary by 30-50% for the same nationality.
What is the difference between a worker hired through Musaned vs Tadbeer?▾
Musaned (Saudi Arabia, regulator: HRSD) and Tadbeer (UAE, regulator: MOHRE) are two different country systems with similar goals: regulate household recruitment, standardise contracts, and protect both employer and worker. Under Tadbeer, the worker is officially employed by the Tadbeer centre. Under Musaned, the worker is sponsored by the family. Day-to-day responsibilities differ slightly — Tadbeer handles replacement quickly; Musaned has stronger wage-protection enforcement.
What if my recruitment office refuses to honour the contract?▾
File a complaint via the Musaned platform (built-in dispute resolution). HRSD reviews within 14 working days. If the office is found at fault, sanctions range from forced refund to license suspension. You may also escalate to the Labour Office (مكتب العمل) or the Labour Court for compensation claims.
Can I transfer my domestic worker to another sponsor?▾
Yes, under specific conditions. Worker transfer (kafala transfer) is processed through Musaned with the worker's consent. The new sponsor takes over the contract obligations. Both parties must agree, and HRSD reviews the transfer within 7 working days.
How long are Musaned contracts valid?▾
Default is 2 years, with the option to renew once for another 2 years (total max 4 years). Renewal must be initiated 60 days before contract expiry through Musaned. The worker has the right to refuse renewal.

Ready to hire through Musaned?

Browse 1,400+ HRSD-licensed Musaned offices in Saudi Arabia. Every listing is verified and includes Musaned licence numbers.

Browse Saudi Musaned officesSee 2026 Salary ReportUAE Tadbeer Guide

Published 27 May 2026 · Author: Ibrahim Kedir, Founder of GCC Domestic. Information based on HRSD published rules, Musaned platform documentation, and our 2026 audit of 60+ active Musaned-licensed offices. Updated annually.