The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources & Social Development (MHRSD) has confirmed that from **1 January 2026** every domestic worker—many of whom are Indian housekeepers, drivers or caretakers—must receive wages via approved electronic channels on the Musaned platform. Announced on 22 December, the rule completes a phased rollout that began in mid-2024 and will now cover households employing even a single worker.
Employers must open bank or digital-wallet accounts for staff and pay salaries at month-end in line with Hijri calendar dates. A Mada-branded debit card will enable workers to withdraw cash or remit funds home through licensed corridors, creating an auditable wage trail.
For the roughly 2.2 lakh Indian domestic workers in the Kingdom, the regulation promises more timely and transparent pay, documentation useful for bank loans back home, and stronger evidence in wage-dispute cases. Recruiters expect administrative workloads to rise, as sponsors must upload contracts and payment proofs monthly.
![Saudi Arabia Mandates E-Salary Payments for Domestic Workers—Key Change for Indian Migrant Community]()
If you’re an employer or transferee navigating Saudi Arabia’s new payroll requirements, VisaHQ can simplify the paperwork surrounding visas, residence permits and supporting documents for both you and your domestic staff. Their India office (https://www.visahq.com/india/) offers online application management, real-time tracking and expert guidance, ensuring that banking appointments and Musaned enrolment line up with valid travel status.
Indian families relocating to Saudi for long-term assignments must budget for additional banking set-up fees and educate household staff on digital banking basics—particularly older employees unfamiliar with e-wallets. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh welcomed the move, saying it aligns with its push to reduce wage-theft cases.
Multinational HR teams should ensure that corporate transferees who hire live-in help comply with the new rules; violation fines range from SAR 2,000 to 5,000. Detailed Musaned user guides (English/Hindi) are expected in Q1 2026.
Employers must open bank or digital-wallet accounts for staff and pay salaries at month-end in line with Hijri calendar dates. A Mada-branded debit card will enable workers to withdraw cash or remit funds home through licensed corridors, creating an auditable wage trail.
For the roughly 2.2 lakh Indian domestic workers in the Kingdom, the regulation promises more timely and transparent pay, documentation useful for bank loans back home, and stronger evidence in wage-dispute cases. Recruiters expect administrative workloads to rise, as sponsors must upload contracts and payment proofs monthly.
If you’re an employer or transferee navigating Saudi Arabia’s new payroll requirements, VisaHQ can simplify the paperwork surrounding visas, residence permits and supporting documents for both you and your domestic staff. Their India office (https://www.visahq.com/india/) offers online application management, real-time tracking and expert guidance, ensuring that banking appointments and Musaned enrolment line up with valid travel status.
Indian families relocating to Saudi for long-term assignments must budget for additional banking set-up fees and educate household staff on digital banking basics—particularly older employees unfamiliar with e-wallets. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh welcomed the move, saying it aligns with its push to reduce wage-theft cases.
Multinational HR teams should ensure that corporate transferees who hire live-in help comply with the new rules; violation fines range from SAR 2,000 to 5,000. Detailed Musaned user guides (English/Hindi) are expected in Q1 2026.
