HIRING a housekeeper may be customary for many families here, but for some expatriates, it is more a matter of privilege and luxury, as only those foreign workers holding business occupations as per their iqama are eligible to apply for housemaid visas. There are many agencies in the Kingdom which specialize in facilitating the hiring of housemaids for their expatriate clients just as they do for Saudi nationals. Expatriate investors have a special facility to get the visa from SAGIA (Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority). They can approach any authorized recruitment agency for processing of a housemaid's visa from Maktab-Al-Istaqdam,” said Amer M. Algoba, general manager of Algoba recruitment. “Those in the category of farmers, labors, drivers and watchmen are not eligible to apply for a housemaid's visa,” he added. Basha Nawaz Khan, an international legal expert, said that recently the Saudi government had stopped issuing housemaid visas for expats holding other professions. “Earlier, doctors, legal advisers, engineers, accountants and those in the grade one category were eligible to bring housemaids in the Kingdom. However, these are the instructions of Maktab Al-Istaqdam for visa applicants. Now, even doctors are not eligible applicants,” said Khan. The profession of the applicant should be clearly mentioned on the iqama and he should personally apply for the visa. However, Saudi nationals can directly approach recruitment agents who obtain housemaid visas on the basis of their Saudi client's power of attorney. “Expatriates should also be allowed to sponsor housemaids without any conditions of a specific profession,” said Kulsoom Rahim, an Indian housewife. She said that many expatriates hire domestic help illegally because they are unable to do so legally. Many Haj and Umrah overstayers in the Kingdom take up any odd job, including that of a housemaid, which is common in Jeddah, Makkah and Madina. Abdullah Al-Bishri, a legal representative, said uncertainty as to how the housemaid would be paid due to the relatively low income status of some expatriates has resulted in only ‘eligible professionals' being allowed to obtain a housemaid's visa. “Also there is a possibility that the expatriate can go back to his home country abandoning the housemaid in the Kingdom,” said Al-Bishri. Nighat Khan, wife of an Indian businessman, said that her housemaid does not respect her; which she said, is probably because the maid is impressed with Saudi employers. “I do not know why she agreed to work for us. She is always recalling her experiences with her previous Saudi employers, much to my irritation,” Khan said. She said that Saudi employers are usually strict with their rules and orders, and that workers do not dare to disobey them. “They are indeed impressed with their wealth and their luxurious lifestyle,” Khan said. Disagreeing with Khan, Algoba said that housemaids typically do not differentiate between Saudi and non-Saudi sponsors as their main concern is to obtain an overseas job. “The managing agent's service rates are similar for Saudi nationals and expatriates. One must go to the agency and give his requirements, such as, the housemaid's preferred nationality, her age, religion, language, etc. and then follow the procedures,” said Algoba. The contractual understanding, i.e. information and agreement of the terms of salary, working hours, and other conditions, between the housemaid and the client takes place prior to the maid's arrival in the Kingdom. At the agency, the client provides information about the number of members in his family, children, pets and any other requirements or issues that should be taken into consideration while choosing a housemaid. Once this application is completed and the information obtained, the agent then looks for a suitable maid who fits the client's criteria. Currently, housemaids from Kenya, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Nepal, Eretria, Morocco, Cambodia, Vietnam and Egypt (only governesses) are common in the Kingdom. “Like Saudis, eligible expatriates can also bring in housemaids from these countries,” said Algoba. Most expatriates prefer their housemaids to be from their home country, mostly because they are acquainted with their native language. “I brought a housemaid from my native place so that we would have no trouble communicating with her. However, she is unprofessional and problematic. Now I have hired another maid from a different country who speaks English and our managing agent has guaranteed us that she suits all our requirements,” said a high level diplomat who did not want to be named. Although the managing agent processes the housemaid's airline ticket, visa and iqama, it is the client who is identified as her sponsor. The agent charges according to the nationality of the chosen maid. “Because airfare and food are expensive now, charges of managing agencies have also increased. Normal charges as per the home country of the housemaid are: SR6000 for Egypt (for governess), SR8500 for Indonesia, SR9000 for Kenya, SR9000 for Vietnam, SR 9500 for the Philippines (inclusive of two-months salary), SR9000 for Eretria, and SR8000 for Morocco,” said Algoba. He said a housemaid's monthly salary varies depending on her nationality. “Sri Lankans, Indonesians, Kenyans, Filipinos and Eritreans settle for around SR550 to SR750 per month. However, many governments like that of Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India are demanding an increase in the salaries of maids recruited from their countries, and a new law is expected soon which would seek to level all salaries,” said Algoba. “Fresh visas for maids from Kenya, for example, are being issued and it takes only three months to bring them to the Kingdom,” he said. – SGRequired documents to obtain an overseas housemaid visa Khan, an international legal expert, said: “Businessmen expatriates can submit their applications at the Maktab Al-Istaqdam with the relevant documents.” The applicant's salary must be above SR6000, as attested by the chamber of commerce. A ‘no-objection letter' from the respective consulate must be submitted. • Obtain the application form from the Maktab Al-Istaqdam and fill in the current professional status i.e. businessman (Muthtasmer or Ragul Amaal). After the completion of the required documents by the Maqtab Al-Istiqdam office, the office will confirm the visa at the same time. • Attach the sponsor's certificate, recommendation of the expatriate's conduct/ professional status/ salary/ reason for needing a housemaid/ iqama copy/ valid passport copies attested by the respective chamber of commerce, and two photos. • After obtaining permission from Maktab Al-Istaqdam, one has to pay SR2000 for the housemaid's visa which takes a maximum of a week or two to obtain. • After the visa is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is sent to the maid's country along with the Power of Attorney or POA to any agent for getting his/her passport stamped.
