Electronic Visa Issuance for domestic workers in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia heavily relies on domestic workers to meet the demands of its growing population. In order to regulate the employment of domestic workers and streamline the visa issuance process, the government and Ministry of Labor and Social Development have introduced Musaned—an electronic platform and integrated system for recruiting domestic workers in Saudi Arabia.

With Musaned, the visa issuance and recruitment process has become more efficient and less time-consuming compared to traditional methods. Through the Musaned portal, employers can submit visa requests and recruitment applications in just a few minutes. In this article, we will delve deeper into the features and process of the Musaned system’s electronic visa application for domestic workers.

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Are you Eligible to Apply for a Domestic Worker Visa?

Families in Saudi Arabia have the opportunity to employ a domestic worker if the recruitment conditions and financial capacity are fulfilled. Navigating the requirements for domestic worker visas in Saudi Arabia can be complex so it is important to be aware of the following regulations to ensure a smooth application process.

Recruitment Eligibility

In Saudi Arabian society, there is a strong emphasis on gender roles and preserving privacy within the home. Restrictions on recruitment help reinforce these societal norms, legal framework and maintain a level of comfort and modesty for both the employers and the domestic workers.

• Nationals and expats whose profession is not a laborer, farmer, watchman and driver, are eligible to apply for a housemaid visa.
• Unmarried men are not allowed to recruit female domestic workers
• Unmarried Saudi women,, wives, divorcees, widows of Saudi men, and married non-Saudis are limited to two domestic worker visas.
• Unmarried, non-Saudi women are not allowed to hire any domestic workers.
• Individuals with driving tickets cannot apply for a visa until they pay off their fines.

If conditions are met, Saudi families and special needs Saudi families can get up to 5 domestic worker visas. Non-saudi families, male citizens, female citizens, special needs (saudi family), non-saudi women male or female investor and a family in which one spouse is an investor can get up to 2 domestic worker visas.

Financial Eligibility

Designed to protect the rights and interests of both employers and domestic workers, the following financial eligibilities are required for domestic worker employers in Saudi Arabia:

Hiring a domestic worker involves various financial responsibilities, including wages, accommodation, food, and other essential needs. Following these financial requirements provides employers with the means to fulfill their responsibilities while ensuring a fair and equitable system that safeguards the rights and well-being of domestic workers.

Initial Steps: Recruitment and Documentation

To begin the process, an employer interested in hiring a domestic worker has the option to connect with an authorized recruitment office through the Musaned platform to find a worker or recruit a candidate through referrals or by searching online. 

Recruitment offices connect employers with potential employees based on requirements provided by employers, including the desired nationality, qualifications and relevant experience of the domestic worker. On the other hand, searching online helps you be in control of the screening and interview process and once you’ve found the right match, you can process the worker’s visa through Musaned’s Maarofa or “well known” service

Know more about the “well known service” here

Requirements for Domestic Worker Visa Issuance

1. Register in Absher electric system

As a prerequisite to obtain a recruitment visa through Musaned, an employer must first register in the Absher system here https://www.absher.sa/wps/portal/individuals/static/register/ and fill out the necessary data required for visa issuance: ID/Iqama Number , Mobile Number, Email, Account Information.

What documents should you prepare?

• Proof of financial stability (salary slip or a bank statement)
• copies of the client’s National ID or Iqama
• Family ID or passport,

You must prepare these requirements in advance for a fast registration process.

Pay visa issuance fee

Once the application for a recruitment visa through Absher is completed, the employer is required to promptly settle the visa issuance fees, which amount to SR 2000. This payment should be made within 24 hours using the SADAD electronic service or an ATM. The visa request will be reviewed and employers will be informed of the status within 1-3 working days, either through mobile notification or via email.

Pay traffic violations

To avoid the visa application from being rejected, employers must settle any traffic violations first before the visa application is fined. Unsettled traffic violations may result in rejected visa applications which can delay or terminate the process of domestic worker recruitment.

Electronic Visa Issuance Process for Domestic Workers

The electronic visa issuance process for domestic workers in Saudi Arabia through Musaned involves registration, document submission, application review, payment, and notification of the application status. Once approved, the electronic visa is accessible on the Musaned account. The subsequent steps include recruitment, arrival, and orientation of the worker, along with completing legal formalities and establishing a contract. Simply log in to the Musaned portal, issue the electronic visa, activate it at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, search for recruitment offices, and complete the e-contracting process by providing necessary information and documents.

Musaned E-Visa & Recruitment: The Step-by-Step Guide

I. Register on Musaned

First, visit the Musaned website at www.musaned.com.sa

Create an account as an employer by providing the required information and completing the registration process. Your ID number will be authenticated through (Absher) services of the Ministry of Interior.

II. Apply for a domestic worker visa

a. Submit required documents

Prepare the necessary documents, including a copy of your national ID or Iqama, copy of the family ID or passport, and proof of financials (salary definition or bank statement).

b. Complete the application

Log in to your Musaned account and navigate to the visa issuance section. Fill in the required information accurately, such as the number of visas needed, occupation, and other relevant details. Review the entered information to ensure everything is accurate and attach the clear and legible scanned copies of the required documents.

c. Pay the Application Fee

The visa issuance in Absher is 2000 Saudi Riyals and must be paid within the designated time frame. You can choose your preferred payment method from the available options such as SADAD electronic service or ATM, to complete the payment process.

d. Wait for the Application Status

After submitting the application and payment, the Musaned system will assign specialists to review your visa application request.

• The specialists will verify the submitted documents, check the financial eligibility, and review the application details. There are several reasons why the visa can be rejected which is discussed below.
• Wait for a notification from Musaned regarding the status of your application.
• The system will send updates via email or SMS within one to three working days.

e. Approval and Work Visa Issuance

If your application is approved, you will receive an electronic visa for the recruitment of domestic worker.which is conveniently accessible through your Musaned account.

If your application is declined, you will also receive a notification with the reason on why it is rejected which you can fix and re-apply for a new one. It is important to follow instructions provided and fix the visa application within the required time frame.

III. Choose your Recruitment Type

Once the electronic visa for domestic workers has been approved and issued through the Musaned platform, employers can proceed with the recruitment of their ideal helper. You can select from the available types of recruitment in Musaned as follows:

• Recruit based on specified preferences –  employers can search for suitable domestic workers based on their preferences and requirements by selecting a recruitment office in Musaned. These offices will provide up to 5 comprehensive profiles of available workers, including their skills, experience, and background information based on employer’s requirements.
• Recruit a previously known worker
• Recruit via Maarofa – this service that enables you to recruit a domestic worker of your selection from the Philippines and is a fast and cost-effective solution for employers. Know more about Maarofa service here and find the ideal helper match for your family here:

IV. Domestic Worker Selection

Employers who will recruit maids through recruitment offices can take their time to evaluate the profiles provided by the agencies. Carefully interviewing them to assess suitability, communication skills, and work experience is essential to find the ideal candidate. Get more tips on interviewing and selecting the best match here.

Once a decision is made, the employer can proceed with paying recruitment fees and signing an e-contract with the recruitment agency

V. Pay Recruitment Fees & Sign Unified E-contract

After making a decision, employers can securely pay the recruitment fees through Musaned. Payment channels include VISA, Mastercard, and MADA. 

Next, employers will sign an unified e-contract with the recruitment agency which is separate from the contract between the employer and the domestic worker. Some of the provisions of the e-contract includes:

• 90 days guarantee to deploy the domestic worker to Saudi Arabia. Recruitment agencies face a 30% fine for domestic worker arrival delays exceeding 90 days.
• Employers must pay recruitment fees in full and electronically upon contract signing.
• If employers terminate domestic worker services within the 90-day probation period, they receive a prorated refund and a new domestic worker visa free of charge from Musaned.

From initiating the request till the domestic worker’s arrival to KSA, employers can track their request journey easily from their account in Musaned,

VI. Arrival & Onboarding of your Domestic Worker

Training and onboarding your helper upon arrival will help ensure that they are successful in their new role. Here are some tips to help with this process:

• Provide a detailed job description, orientation on payment of wages and your expectations to ensure that your domestic worker understands their duties and responsibilities.
• Offer language classes, if needed, to help them improve their language skills.
• Provide ongoing support and feedback to help your domestic worker succeed in their role.
• Set house rules and discuss this with your domestic worker to avoid any miscommunication and to help both of you adjust better in this new setup.
• Familiarize them with the household’s rules and regulations.

As an employer, here are some Domestic Worker Rights to keep in mind:

1. All identity documents and personal belongings must be kept by your domestic worker before and after her deployment, including but not limited to: passport, local ID, contract copy etc.
2. You are obliged to pay the agreed wage at the end of the Hijri month.
3. Domestic workers must have a decent place to rest. The room can be private or shared, however it cannot be shared with an adult of the opposite sex. Domestic workers must have dedicated rest time, including one rest day per week (full 24 hours), during which they are allowed to go out and enjoy personal activities.
4. Employers of foreign domestic workers must offer decent food, or a food allowance, representing a healthy diet with 3 meals a day.
5. Domestic workers may refuse work not assigned in the contract and are not allowed to work for another family other than your immediate household.
6. Domestic workers are entitled to at least nine hours of rest per day and get one day off per week.
7. All domestic workers are given 30 days of sick leave per year subject to an authorized medical report and must be given medical care provided by the employer. Also, after 2 years of completing a contract, domestic workers are entitled to get 1 month paid annual leave with airfare to and from their home country.
8. 1 monthly salary/wage benefit will be given after 4 consecutive years of service with an employer.

Can Visa Applications be Declined?

Yes, visa applications for domestic workers in Saudi Arabia can be rejected for various reasons. The Saudi Arabian government has specific regulations and requirements in place for the recruitment of domestic workers, and failure to meet these criteria can result in the rejection of a visa application. Some common reasons for rejection include:

1. Inadequate Financial Capacity:
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2. Incomplete or Unclear Document Submission:
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3. Exceeded Visa Limit:
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4. Unresolved Traffic Violations:
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5. Non-payment of Visa Issuance Fees:
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6. Name Discrepancy in Documents:
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7. Age Requirement for Single Applicants:
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8. Outdated or Incomplete Bank Certificate:
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9. Verification of Adequate Account Balance:
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10. Required Signature and Stamp on Salary Definition:
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11. Updating Social Status in Absher:
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12. Social Status Restrictions:
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Hiring Filipino Domestic Workers to Saudi Arabia

HelperChoice is an ethical online platform that directly connects domestic worker applicants and employers in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Applicants register for free and are vetted by our team for verification on the website.

Employers can also register for free to browse through our pool of applicants and subscribe to our premium service in order to view their contact details for direct communication. Interviews are done within the website and once an employer and candidate agrees to enter into contract, employers are referred to ethical Maarofa recruitment offices in Saudi Arabia to process the worker’s visa and other hiring documents.

Know more about Maarofa service here: It’s an ethical and cost effective solution to hiring domestic workers from the Philippines.

 

Contact Us

If you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact our professional customer support team via email at contact@helperchoice.com or Whatsapp 

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