In a landmark decision, the Council of Ministers in Saudi Arabia has granted expatriates with Premium Residency the same privileges as Saudi citizens concerning domestic workers. This game-changing policy shift allows Premium Residency holders to employ up to four domestic workers without incurring additional annual fees.
Under the newly approved proposal, expats holding a Premium Residency Permit (Premium Iqama) can enjoy the benefits of employing four domestic workers without any extra charges. This marks a significant departure from the previous policy, where additional domestic workers incurred an annual fee of 9,600 riyals each for standard iqama holders.
To provide further context, the Saudi government had introduced legislation earlier, requiring Saudi citizens with more than four domestic workers to pay a yearly fee of 9,600 riyals per worker. Foreign employers faced the same charges for additional workers beyond the first two. Premium Residency iqama holders now join the select group exempt from these additional fees for up to four domestic workers.
This policy transition was implemented in two phases, with the first phase applicable to new domestic workers hired within a year of the Cabinet's initial decision on March 8, 2022, taking effect on May 22, 2022. The second phase, effective from May 11, 2023, extends the exemption to all domestic workers, whether newly hired or existing, provided the total number does not exceed four.
Additionally, the Saudi Cabinet has given its preliminary approval for the authorized use of trains as a means of transportation for both civilian and military personnel when legally required.
