Saudi Arabia to Enforce Digital Salary Payments for Domestic Workers in 2026. Saudi Arabia has announced a major labour reform that will directly impact millions of households and workers across the Kingdom. Starting January 1, 2026, salaries of all domestic workers must be paid through banks only, making digital wage payments mandatory nationwide.
The move is part of a wider wage protection strategy designed to improve transparency, reduce disputes, and safeguard the rights of domestic workers and their sponsors.
What Is the New Salary Rule for Domestic Workers?
According to the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, all employers will be legally required to pay domestic workers’ salaries through registered bank accounts instead of cash.
This rule applies to all categories of domestic workers, including:
- Housemaids
- Drivers
- Cooks
- Nannies
- Gardeners
- Private caregivers
From 2026 onward, cash payments will no longer be accepted as valid proof of salary payment.
Why Saudi Arabia Introduced Digital Salary Payments
The government says the decision aims to:
- Protect domestic workers’ wage rights
- Ensure salaries are paid on time
- Create official payment records
- Reduce labour disputes between workers and sponsors
- Strengthen labour law enforcement
Officials confirmed that bank-based payments make it easier to verify compliance and resolve complaints quickly.
Phased Implementation: How the System Was Rolled Out
The policy was introduced gradually to give employers time to adjust.
Phase 1: July 2024
Applied to domestic workers entering Saudi Arabia on new visas. Sponsors were required to open bank accounts and pay salaries digitally.
Phase 2: Extended Coverage
The system was expanded to sponsors employing more than four domestic workers.
Phase 3: October 2025
Sponsors with two or more domestic workers were included after a short delay from the original July 2025 timeline.
Final Phase: January 1, 2026
The rule will cover all domestic workers, regardless of number or contract type.
What This Means for Domestic Workers
For domestic workers, the system brings stronger legal protection.
Key benefits include:
- Guaranteed salary records
- Proof of payment for disputes
- Reduced risk of delayed or unpaid wages
- Greater financial security
Workers will also be able to track their salary history through banking channels.
What Sponsors and Employers Must Do
Sponsors are advised to act early to avoid penalties.
They must:
- Open a bank account for the domestic worker
- Transfer salaries monthly through approved banks
- Maintain payment records
- Follow wage timelines stated in contracts
Failure to comply may lead to fines, legal action, or restrictions on hiring domestic workers in the future.
Strengthening Labour Protection in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has been reforming its labour system over recent years to improve working conditions and align with international standards. This wage protection step strengthens accountability and formalises domestic employment relationships.
Officials said the system benefits both workers and sponsors by reducing misunderstandings and ensuring fair treatment.
Conclusion
From January 1, 2026, bank-based salary payments will become the standard for domestic workers across Saudi Arabia. The move marks a major shift toward transparency, fairness, and stronger labour protections in the Kingdom’s domestic work sector.
Employers are encouraged to prepare in advance, while workers can expect safer and more reliable wage payments under the new system.
