Never pay for a job in the Gulf – what the law says

In the Gulf countries the law puts recruitment costs on the employer, not on you. If anyone asks you for money to get or keep a job, stop and report it. Here is what each country’s own law says, with the official source.

UAE

The rule

• The employer may not charge you the costs of recruiting or employing you, or take them from you directly or indirectly. Source: Federal Decree-Law 33/2021, Art. 6(4)
• Only a business licensed by MOHRE may act as a recruitment or employment agent. Source: Federal Decree-Law 33/2021, Art. 6(3)
• Domestic workers: a recruitment agency may not ask for or accept any commission or expenses from you. Source: Federal Decree-Law 9/2022, Art. 5(2)
• Domestic workers: the employer may not charge you any costs, except where the law or the MOHRE contract says so. Source: Federal Decree-Law 9/2022, Art. 11(13)

Report it

• MOHRE call centre 600590000 – to report misleading recruitment or unlicensed recruiters, and to check whether a recruiter is real. Source: MOHRE news, 16 Sep 2026
• MOHRE 80084, or its digital platforms, to report bad practices of domestic-worker recruitment offices. Source: MOHRE news, 25 Feb 2026

Saudi Arabia

The rule

• The employer pays the recruitment fees, your iqama and work permit (and fines for their delay), change-of-profession fees, exit/re-entry visas and the ticket home at the end of the contract. Source: Saudi Labor Law, Art. 40 (HRSD)
• Domestic workers: the employer covers recruitment costs, permit and residence fees and their renewal, and fines from delays the employer caused. Source: Domestic Workers Regulation, Art. 15(1)
• Domestic workers: licensed recruitment offices may not take money from the worker for bringing them in. Source: HRSD domestic-worker guide, section 8

Report it

• HRSD customer service 19911, its complaint e-service and app. Source: HRSD contact page
• Musaned 920002866 (24/7) or the Musaned app, for recruitment violations. Source: Musaned / HRSD

Qatar

The rule

• A licensed recruiter may not take any fees, recruitment costs or other costs from the worker. Source: Labour Law 14/2004, Art. 33(1) (our translation)
• Domestic workers: the employer may not deduct recruitment costs from your wage. Source: Domestic Workers Law 15/2017, Art. 8

Report it

• Ministry of Labour Unified Platform for Complaints (log in with your QID or visa number). Source: Hukoomi
• A 24/7 workers’ hotline and complaint kiosks in 11 languages at Ministry branches. Source: Government Communications Office

Oman

The rule

• Recruiting workers needs a Ministry licence, and nothing may be taken from the worker in return for the job. Source: Labour Law (RD 53/2023), Art. 31 (our translation)

Report it

• Ministry of Labour 80077000; labour disputes go to the Ministry first. Source: MoL guidance; Labour Law Art. 9

Bahrain

The rule

• Nobody may take money or any benefit from a worker for a work permit, for a job, or for keeping the job. Source: Act 19/2006, Art. 23(C)
• LMRA: do not pay any amount for a work permit, its renewal or a transfer to another employer. Source: LMRA expatriate guide

Report it

• LMRA 17506055; 24/7 protection hotline 995 (995@lmra.gov.bh); complaints about employment offices: complaints.section@lmra.gov.bh. Source: LMRA contact page

Kuwait

Kuwait: we could not open the official Kuwaiti sources (Public Authority for Manpower) when we checked, so we make no claims here yet. Ask the Public Authority for Manpower directly.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change – always check the official link. Last checked 11 Oct 2026. UAE law texts are MOHRE's English translations; Qatar and Oman wording is our translation of the Arabic law.

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