Saudi Arabia’s six-month grace period for domestic workers reported absent from work (huroob) ends on 11 May 2026.
Workers and employers must use the Musaned platform before the deadline to regularise status without penalties.
What the Grace Period Is and When It Ends
The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) launched the current grace period on 11 November 2025, giving six months for status correction.
It is the first extension of the original grace period. The initial six-month window ran from 11 May 2025 to 11 November 2025, and the extended window now closes on 11 May 2026.
The initiative lets eligible domestic workers transfer their services to a new employer through the Musaned platform without facing the usual penalties tied to a huroob report.
For families in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah planning hires or returns, this is the current official correction window.
Travellers can search flights to Jeddah on Wego while sorting paperwork ahead of the deadline.
Who the Grace Period Applies To
The amnesty is narrow. It only covers domestic workers who meet specific conditions.
Eligible Workers
- Domestic workers reported as absent from work (huroob) before 11 November 2025
- Workers whose residency permits (iqamas) have expired but who remain in the Kingdom
- Workers physically still inside Saudi Arabia at the time of correction
Who Is Not Covered
- Workers reported absent on or after 11 November 2025
- Workers who have already left the Kingdom
Check Musaned or HRSD for any nationality-specific restrictions before applying.
If a worker’s huroob report was filed during the grace period itself, they fall under the standard 60-day correction window instead of this amnesty.
What Workers and Employers Need to Do Before the Deadline
The status-correction process is initiated through Musaned and completed through Absher. Both the worker and a new employer must take action for a transfer to complete.
For New Employers
Log into Musaned and submit a sponsorship transfer request from individual to individual.
Enter the worker’s details, generate a new contract, and pay the transfer fees online. The platform then notifies the worker for consent.
For Workers
Confirm consent to the transfer through Musaned once the new employer submits the request. Without this confirmation, the system cannot move the file forward.
Keep your iqama, passport, and any prior contract details ready. Workers can also call the HRSD helpline 19911 for guidance; multilingual support has been reported by the Embassy of India in Riyadh, but workers should confirm available languages directly with HRSD.
Key Steps at a Glance
| Step | Who Acts | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Submit transfer request | New employer | Musaned |
| Confirm consent to transfer | Worker | Musaned |
| Pay transfer fees | New employer | Musaned and Absher |
| Update iqama and complete file | New employer | Absher |
Start early to allow time for all Musaned and Absher steps to be completed.
Penalties for Missing the Deadline
After 11 May 2026, the grace period ends and standard enforcement returns. Both workers and employers face consequences.
For Workers Who Stay in Huroob Status
- Fines under the HRSD domestic-worker regulation of up to 2,000 SAR (multiplied by the number of violations), with the possibility of a work ban and the cost of return travel
- Deportation from the Kingdom
- Re-entry restrictions imposed under Ministry of Interior rules for deported expatriates, with longer bans possible in serious or repeat cases
- Classification as an illegal resident, which can trigger arrest during routine checks
For Employers Who File False Huroob Reports
Under the HRSD domestic-worker regulation, employers who violate its provisions can face fines of up to 20,000 SAR, a recruitment ban of up to three years, or both, with penalties doubled for repeat offences. Filing false absence-from-work reports falls within this framework.
Saudi authorities have made digital records through Musaned and Absher easier to audit, so disputed reports leave a clearer trail than they once did.
Where to Check Status and Get Official Help
Use only government channels for verification. Unofficial agents charging fees outside Musaned should be avoided.
Official Channels
- Musaned platform for transfers, contracts, and complaints on domestic worker contracts
- HRSD ministry website for the latest official announcements and policy updates
- Helpline 19911 for grievances and guidance in multiple languages
- Absher to confirm iqama status and residency records
For more details on Saudi Arabia’s domestic worker services and recent platform updates, read our full guide to Musaned.
For Workers Outside Saudi Arabia
Workers who have already left the Kingdom are not covered by this grace period. They should contact their home country’s embassy in Riyadh or consulate in Jeddah for advice on a huroob record.
Employers travelling for paperwork can compare flights to Riyadh or browse hotels in Riyadh on Wego.
For trips tied to the holy cities, look up hotels in Makkah or hotels in Madinah.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Exactly Does the Grace Period End?
The current grace period started on 11 November 2025 and ends on 11 May 2026, six months later. After this date, regular huroob penalties resume.
Can Workers Reported Absent After 11 November 2025 Use This Amnesty?
No. The grace period only covers workers reported absent before 11 November 2025. Newer cases fall under the standard 60-day correction window from the date the report was filed.
Do Workers Need to Find a New Employer Before Applying?
Yes. The transfer is processed when a new employer logs into Musaned and submits the request. The worker then confirms consent through the platform.
What Happens if the Old Employer Refuses to Cooperate?
The grace period is designed to bypass the old employer. Eligible cases can be processed automatically through Musaned without their approval, since the worker is already reported absent.
Can the Grace Period Be Extended Again?
There is no official confirmation of another extension. HRSD has extended the grace period once already, but workers and employers should plan to complete procedures before 11 May 2026 rather than wait.
Sources
- Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development
- Musaned Official Platform
- Saudi Gazette: Grace Period Extension
- Khaleej Times: 6-Month Extension Granted
- Embassy of India, Riyadh: Labour Grievance Mechanism
- Musaned: Transfer Worker Services
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