Costs of recruiting domestic workers

Domestic worker recruitment prices do not depend on one fixed figure. Instead, they are affected by several factors such as nationality, profession, the sending country, procedural requirements, insurance, and the nature of the service provided by the recruitment office or company.

Platinum Eastern Recruitment is committed to helping clients understand the components of the cost before contracting and identify what is included in the price and what may be charged separately, making comparisons between recruitment offers clearer and more accurate.

Musaned data indicated that the average recruitment cost during 2025 was approximately SAR 6,900, with some cases costing as little as around SAR 3,300, highlighting the significant differences between the available options.

The average price does not mean that all recruitment requests will have the same cost. It is only a general indicator that helps understand the market, while the actual price should be determined according to nationality, profession, and the required service at the time of contracting.

In this guide, you will learn how domestic worker recruitment prices are calculated, why they vary between countries and professions, the difference between the contract price and domestic worker recruitment fees, and how to use Musaned domestic worker recruitment services to compare options and plan recruitment costs more accurately.

Domestic Worker Recruitment Prices: What Makes Up the Actual Cost?

The actual cost does not necessarily equal the value of the recruitment offer alone.

There may be several components that should be understood before contracting.

The most important include:

• Recruitment service cost.

• Government fees related to the visa.

• Fees for using certain electronic services.

• Contract insurance when applicable.

• Value Added Tax when charged.

• Any additional services selected by the client.

The Musaned requirements indicate that issuing a visa through the platform includes a fee of SAR 172.50 in addition to the applicable government fees.

Therefore, you should always confirm whether the advertised price includes these elements.

Why Do Domestic Worker Recruitment Prices Vary from One Country to Another?

Price differences between countries are linked to several operational and regulatory factors.

Each labor-sending country may have different requirements related to procedures, medical examinations, preparation, travel, and contracting.

Demand levels and worker availability also vary from one country to another.

Regulatory authorities set maximum recruitment costs for certain countries, and the Ministry of Human Resources has previously reviewed and reduced these ceilings for several countries.

For this reason, two prices for different nationalities cannot be compared as if the recruitment conditions were identical. The cost of renewing a domestic worker contract may also differ from the cost of recruiting a worker from the beginning, so initial recruitment fees should be separated from any costs related to renewal or continuing the contract.

The Difference Between Domestic Worker Recruitment Fees and Recruitment Contract Costs

Some clients confuse domestic worker recruitment fees with the value of the recruitment contract itself.

However, the two terms do not always refer to the same component.

The contract cost may represent the amount charged for the mediation and recruitment service provided by the office or company.

Fees may include government charges, electronic service fees, insurance, or other procedural elements.

Therefore, when contacting a labor recruitment company, always request a clear breakdown of every amount.

This step prevents differences between the price the client expected and the actual final cost.

What Operational Factors Increase or Reduce Recruitment Costs?

The cost may change even between similar requests due to different operational circumstances.

The most important factors include:

• Availability of workers in the sending country.

• Speed of document preparation.

• Examination requirements.

• Travel arrangements.

• Demand for a specific nationality.

• Number of intermediaries or parties involved in the procedures.

• Level of services provided by the recruitment provider.

Regulatory policies also affect the market.

The Ministry of Human Resources has indicated that the average cost of direct recruitment decreased by more than 60% during different stages of sector development and process automation.

This demonstrates how digital transformation and regulation can directly affect costs.

How Does the Required Profession Affect Domestic Worker Recruitment Prices?

Profession is an important factor in determining the cost.

A domestic worker does not necessarily have the same recruitment cost as a driver, nanny, cook, or another domestic profession.

Each profession has a different nature of work and requirements that may affect candidate availability and the related procedures.

Therefore, the profession should be determined accurately before comparing domestic worker recruitment prices.

Comparing the price of a domestic worker with the price of a different profession will not provide an accurate picture of the cost.

Does the Worker’s Previous Experience Affect Recruitment Costs?

Experience may influence some available options, particularly when the client is looking for specific qualifications.

A worker with previous experience or special skills may be in higher demand than others.

However, it should not be assumed that every experienced worker will automatically cost more.

It is better to compare the recruitment offer itself and what it includes, then review recruitment CVs to evaluate experience, skills, and suitability for the family’s needs.

This makes price one part of the decision rather than the entire decision, because selection quality and compatibility with household requirements may be more important than the price difference between two offers.

How Do Procedures in the Sending Country Affect the Final Recruitment Price?

The domestic worker recruitment process goes through several stages inside and outside Saudi Arabia.

The sending country may require different procedures such as:

• Document authentication.

• Medical examinations.

• Worker training.

• Issuing permits.

• Travel preparation.

• Completing requirements of local authorities.

Each stage can affect the cost and duration.

For this reason, some prices may differ even when the nature of the required work is similar, because recruitment costs may also be affected by the type of professional workers and the procedures associated with each category.

The final price reflects a complete chain of procedures, not merely the cost of the flight. Therefore, costs should be compared according to the profession and the services included in the offer.

Total Recruitment Cost: What Expenses Should Be Calculated Before Contracting?

It is better for the client to build the budget around the total cost rather than the basic contract value alone.

Before contracting, ask about:

• Recruitment cost.

• Visa fees.

• Platform fees.

• Insurance.

• Tax.

• Any additional services.

• Monthly salary after arrival.

• Any recurring future expenses.

Insurance for new domestic worker contracts during the first two years has also become part of the contracting procedures for new workers arriving for the employer for the first time.

Therefore, these elements should be considered together when planning the budget.

How Do You Compare Domestic Worker Recruitment Company Prices Fairly?

A correct comparison is not simply between two numbers.

You should first make sure that both offers include the same services.

When comparing domestic worker recruitment companies, review:

• Same nationality.

• Same profession.

• Execution period.

• Included services.

• Tax.

• Insurance.

• Any additional fees.

• Support and follow-up policy.

If one offer is cheaper but does not include certain elements, it cannot necessarily be considered less expensive in practice.

For this reason, compare the final cost rather than the advertised figure alone.

When Is a Low Recruitment Price a Sign That Needs Further Review?

A low price is not a problem in itself.

However, if it is clearly lower than other offers, it is better to understand why.

Ask:

• Does the price include tax?

• Does it include insurance?

• Are there any later fees?

• Is the offer for the same nationality and profession?

• Are there special conditions?

• Is the service provider licensed?

The Ministry of Human Resources has penalized recruitment companies for violations related to service costs, highlighting the importance of dealing through official channels and reviewing approved prices.

The goal is not to find the lowest number, but to obtain a clear and verifiable offer.

How Does Musaned Domestic Worker Recruitment Help You Understand Prices and Compare Options?

Musaned domestic worker recruitment plays an important role in organizing the client journey.

The platform facilitates recruitment services and procedure documentation, helping employers deal within an official framework that protects the rights of all parties.

It also helps you:

• Review available services.

• Select the profession and nationality.

• Identify the service provider.

• Track the request.

• Complete procedures electronically.

• Review updated information at the time of contracting.

For this reason, you should rely on current data available at the time of the request rather than prices published months or years earlier.

How Do You Plan a Domestic Worker Recruitment Budget Without Unexpected Expenses?

Start by creating a budget that includes more than the recruitment contract value.

Divide the budget into three parts:

1. Pre-arrival costs.

2. Contracting and procedural costs.

3. Monthly costs after the worker arrives.

In the first part, include recruitment costs, fees, and insurance.

After arrival, you should plan for the salary and expenses related to the worker according to regulatory obligations.

It is also useful to allocate a small margin for unexpected expenses.

This method makes the decision to recruit domestic workers more financially stable.

Is the Average Recruitment Price Enough to Make a Decision?

Average prices are useful for understanding market trends, but they do not represent a final offer.

The average price during a certain period may be lower or higher than the price available to you today.

Musaned announced that the average recruitment cost during 2025 was SAR 6,900, but this average included different cases from multiple countries and professions.

Therefore, use the average only as a reference.

Then compare the actual price at the time of submitting your request.

Does the Price Include the Worker’s Salary After Arrival?

It is important to distinguish between recruitment costs and the monthly salary.

Recruitment costs relate to bringing the worker and completing the contracting procedures.

The salary is a recurring obligation that begins after work starts.

The Ministry of Human Resources currently provides a domestic worker wage protection service through salary transfers using channels linked to Musaned, and its implementation expanded to include all domestic workers in 2026.

Therefore, the salary should not be considered part of the recruitment price unless a specific offer clearly states otherwise.

How Do You Know Whether a Recruitment Offer Is Clear and Transparent?

A transparent offer should answer the main questions before payment.

You should know:

• Total price.

• What it includes.

• What it does not include.

• Tax amount.

• Insurance.

• Any additional fees.

• Payment method.

• Contract terms.

If this information is unclear, request it in writing.

It is also better not to rely on phrases such as “prices start from” without knowing the situations to which the advertised figure applies.

What Is the Role of the Recruitment Company in Explaining the Cost?

A labor recruitment company should help the client understand the price rather than simply present one number.

The client needs to know why one offer differs from another.

This includes explaining the nationality, profession, services, fees, and any additional elements.

Platinum Eastern Recruitment can help clients understand the available options and cost details before beginning the procedures.

The clearer the information is from the beginning, the easier the decision becomes.

Can Domestic Worker Recruitment Prices Change Over Time?

Yes.

Recruitment costs are not permanently fixed.

They may change because of:

• New regulatory decisions.

• Changes in costs in sending countries.

• Supply and demand.

• Changes in travel costs.

• Updates to price ceilings.

• Changes in included services.

For this reason, any article about domestic worker recruitment prices should be considered a guide for understanding the cost rather than a substitute for the current price at the time of contracting.

Request Domestic Worker Recruitment Prices from Platinum Eastern

If you are searching for domestic worker recruitment prices and want to understand the cost more clearly before making a decision, start by identifying the profession, nationality, and your family’s actual needs.

Then contact Platinum Eastern Recruitment to inquire about available options, price details, and included services, and to compare suitable solutions before starting the contracting process.

Understanding the components of the cost from the beginning helps you prepare a realistic budget, avoid surprises, and choose a recruitment service that better matches your family’s needs.