RIYADH, September 17, 2026: The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has launched a major crackdown on unlicensed operators involved in recruitment and labor services. Authorities have identified 10 establishments, including individual firms, general service offices, and digital entities operating via websites and applications, that were conducting recruitment activities without valid licenses.
- Ten establishments fined for unlicensed recruitment.
- Penalties reach up to SR250,000 for repeat offenses.
- Authorities monitor physical offices, digital ads, social media, and apps.
Under Saudi regulations, unauthorized recruitment is a serious violation.
Penalties are progressive: a first-time violation carries a fine of SR200,000, a second offense incurs SR220,000, and a third offense reaches up to SR250,000. Saudi authorities emphasized that monitoring extends beyond physical offices to include digital advertisements, social media, and apps. The Ministry advises citizens and residents to utilize the Musaned platform for domestic-support worker recruitment, service transfers, and approved payments. Musaned provides access to licensed offices, worker profiles, documented contracts, and official payment channels, aimed at reducing fraud by middlemen.
Commercial registration alone does not authorize an entity to conduct recruitment services.For Indian job seekers, the Embassy of India in Riyadh advises engaging only with Recruiting Agents registered on the eMigrate portal. Candidates should verify the registration certificate, Saudi employer details, Demand Letter, and Power of Attorney. Employment contracts must clearly specify salary, job title, duty conditions, accommodation, transport, and leave benefits. Furthermore, workers must hold valid work visas; traveling on a tourist visa for employment is prohibited. Specific safeguards exist for female domestic workers, including mandatory Embassy-attested documentation and minimum-age requirements.
Job seekers are cautioned against red flags, such as offers promising visas without interviews, requests for advance payments via WhatsApp or personal bank transfers, and recruiters who avoid eMigrate verification. The Saudi Ministry encourages reporting unlicensed activity via the 19911 unified number. Indian workers can contact the Embassy of India, Riyadh, for grievances via the 24/7 toll-free PBSK helpline at 800 247 1234 or the MADAD portal.
