🧮
Related tool:
Istiqdam Cost Calculator
— calculate the total recruitment cost by nationality and monthly salary.
Recruiting a housemaid or driver is an important financial decision for many Saudi families. The cost has two parts: a one-time recruitment fee and an ongoing monthly salary. This guide explains the prices by nationality and how to calculate the total.
Cost by nationality (estimated)
| Nationality | Recruitment fee (one-time) | Monthly salary |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines | ~SAR 13,000 | ~SAR 1,500 |
| Indonesia | ~SAR 12,000 | ~SAR 1,400 |
| India | ~SAR 11,000 | ~SAR 1,300 |
| Sri Lanka | ~SAR 10,000 | ~SAR 1,200 |
| Kenya | ~SAR 9,500 | ~SAR 1,000 |
| Bangladesh / Uganda | ~SAR 9,000 | ~SAR 1,000–1,100 |
| Ethiopia | ~SAR 8,000 | ~SAR 900 |
Values are estimates and may vary by office, supply and demand, and Musaned updates.
What does the cost include?
The recruitment fee usually includes: office fees, travel ticket, medical examination, visa, and Musaned procedures. The monthly salary is paid to the worker separately after arrival.
Example: first-year total cost
Recruiting a worker from India (fee SAR 11,000 + salary SAR 1,300):
11,000 + (1,300 × 12) = 11,000 + 15,600
First-year total = SAR 26,600.
Frequently Asked Questions
Recruitment fees vary by nationality, usually ranging from about SAR 8,000 to SAR 13,000 as a one-time fee, plus the worker's monthly salary ranging from SAR 900 to SAR 1,500 depending on nationality and occupation.
It usually includes the recruitment office fee, travel ticket, medical examination, visa, and Musaned procedures. The monthly salary is paid to the worker separately after arrival.
Musaned is the official platform of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development for regulating domestic worker recruitment, where you can choose the office, track the request, and document the contract electronically.
The difference is due to bilateral agreements with each country, training and travel costs, the agreed minimum wage for each nationality, and market demand for each nationality.
Add the one-time recruitment fee + (monthly salary × 12). Use the free istiqdam cost calculator to choose the nationality and see the total instantly.