Saudi Arabia extends grace period for runaway domestic workers

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has announced a six-month extension of the grace period for runaway domestic workers to regularise their status, effective Tuesday, Nov. 11, Okaz newspaper reported.

The regularisation process will continue to be implemented through the ministry’s official Musaned platform, which manages the Kingdom’s household labour services.

Aim of the extension

The ministry said the extension provides both domestic workers and employers an additional opportunity to rectify legal status and resolve pending abscondment (huroob) cases through an automated and streamlined process.

Electronic transfers for new employers

New employers can log into Musaned to complete transfer procedures electronically, a move intended to enhance transparency, improve the work environment, and protect the rights of all parties.

Grace period details

The initial grace period began on May 11, 2025, and was originally set for six months. The newly extended period applies only to domestic workers who were reported absent before this announcement.

Broader labour sector initiative

According to the ministry, this initiative is part of a broader effort to develop the domestic labour sector, improve contractual relationships, and regulate the labour market more effectively. The programme allows domestic workers who have been reported absent or whose residency permits have expired—but who remain in the Kingdom—to regularise their status by transferring employment to new sponsors after completing the necessary procedures.