Saudi Arabia Issues Strict Penalties for Employers of Freelance Workers

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Interior issued a significant warning on September 7, 2026, regarding the illegal employment of expatriate workers. Under the new enforcement measures, individual employers who permit their domestic workers to perform tasks for other employers or engage in self-employment will face severe penalties. These include a fine of up to 100,000 Saudi Riyals, imprisonment for a period of up to six months, and a five-year ban on recruiting new domestic workers.

• Warning issued on September 7, 2026
• Fines up to 100,000 Saudi Riyals
• Prison terms up to six months
• Five-year recruitment ban

Impact on Expatriate Workers

This directive is expected to impact millions of expatriates living in Saudi Arabia, including those from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, many of whom have previously relied on flexible arrangements or freelance work. The regulation is part of an ongoing campaign by the Saudi government to tighten oversight of its labor market and the 'Nitaqat' system.

How to Report Violations

The Ministry has encouraged the public to report violations by contacting 911 for the Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and Eastern provinces, or 999 for all other regions. An official infographic detailing these regulations was released by the Saudi General Directorate of Passports (@AljawazatKSA).