Saudi Arabia expands Minister’s powers over expat dependent workers
The Saudi Cabinet approved a request by the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development to add the authority to determine the financial fees for dependents of legal expatriate workers in the Kingdom. 
According to the decision, the Minister was granted the authority to regulate the employment of dependents of legal foreign workers in Saudi Arabia and to define the scope of expansion in economic activities and professions, in coordination with relevant authorities.
The new powers also include determining the applicable financial fees for dependent workers, in agreement with the Ministry of Finance and the Center for Non-Oil Revenue Development.
The decision stipulates that the total amount collected from each dependent working in the labor market must be equivalent to the financial fees imposed on expatriate workers in the private sector.
In 2023, the Cabinet granted the Minister authority to regulate the employment of dependents and to expand their participation in various professions and economic sectors, according to Argaam data.
Saudi Arabia began implementing the first phase of dependent fees in July 2017, starting at SAR 100 per month per individual. These fees increased to SAR 200 in July 2018, reaching SAR 400 per month—or SAR 4,800 annually—by July 2020.
Saudi Arabia expands Minister’s powers over expat dependent workers
The Saudi Cabinet approved a request by the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development to add the authority to determine the financial fees for dependents of legal expatriate workers in the Kingdom.
According to the decision, the Minister was granted the authority to regulate the employment of dependents of legal foreign workers in Saudi Arabia and to define the scope of expansion in economic activities and professions, in coordination with relevant authorities.
The new powers also include determining the applicable financial fees for dependent workers, in agreement with the Ministry of Finance and the Center for Non-Oil Revenue Development.
The decision stipulates that the total amount collected from each dependent working in the labor market must be equivalent to the financial fees imposed on expatriate workers in the private sector.
In 2023, the Cabinet granted the Minister authority to regulate the employment of dependents and to expand their participation in various professions and economic sectors, according to Argaam data.
Saudi Arabia began implementing the first phase of dependent fees in July 2017, starting at SAR 100 per month per individual. These fees increased to SAR 200 in July 2018, reaching SAR 400 per month—or SAR 4,800 annually—by July 2020.
