Manpower outsourcing in Saudi Arabia refers to a specific Ajeer-structured workforce arrangement where the supplying agency retains legal sponsorship of workers while the beneficiary employer directs their day-to-day work on site. It is the cornerstone of flexible labour deployment in the Kingdom — and the most regulated workforce model the MHRSD oversees.
Manpower outsourcing is one of two formal arrangements regulated by the Ajeer platform under MHRSD Ministerial Decision No. 60339 (effective 26 January 2026). The other is internal service outsourcing — a related but distinct framework.
Under manpower outsourcing:
What manpower outsourcing isn't: it isn't direct hire (where the worker becomes your employee), it isn't an undocumented secondment, and it isn't a workaround for Nitaqat obligations. The structure is transparent, regulated, and built specifically to give Saudi employers compliant flexibility.
This is the strategic reason most employers choose outsourcing over direct hire: outsourced workers are classified under the supplying agency's establishment for Nitaqat purposes, not yours.
For employers managing Saudisation quotas, this matters. Adding ten direct-hire expatriates to your payroll affects your Saudi-to-non-Saudi ratio and can push your Nitaqat band downward if you're not simultaneously hiring Saudi nationals. Adding ten outsourced workers through Ajeer doesn't — they sit under the partner agency's establishment for ratio purposes.
This is particularly useful for:
Under current MHRSD rules, manpower outsourcing has eligibility criteria for both parties:
| Party | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Supplying agency | Valid MHRSD licence + Active Ajeer platform registration + Medium Green or higher Nitaqat status + Valid commercial registration |
| Beneficiary establishment | Medium Green or higher Nitaqat status + Valid commercial registration + Compliance with WPS |
| Workers | Valid Iqama with profession classification matching the role + Worker consent (or pre-existing contractual provision) |
If your Nitaqat status is currently Red or Low Green, you may not be eligible to receive workers under Ajeer until you improve your band. Our Saudisation consulting partners can advise on band recovery strategies.
Manpower outsourcing pricing typically operates on a monthly all-in rate per worker. The rate consolidates several cost components into a single line item:
Compared to direct hire, all-in monthly rates are slightly higher because they internalise the partner's overhead. The trade-off is operational simplicity — no Iqama paperwork on your side, no GOSI registration, no end-of-service accruals, no Nitaqat dilution. For project-based work, the math frequently favours outsourcing.
Manpower outsourcing is the default workforce structure in:
WhatsApp us with your scope. We will route to an Ajeer-registered partner the same business day.
Start Outsourcing Discussion| Factor | Manpower Outsourcing | Direct Hire |
|---|---|---|
| Iqama sponsorship | Partner agency | Your establishment |
| Nitaqat impact | Neutral (workers under partner) | Affects your ratio |
| Administrative overhead | Minimal — partner handles paperwork | Full — you manage everything |
| Mobilisation speed | 7–21 days typically | 30–90 days for new visas |
| Cost per worker | Slightly higher monthly all-in | Lower nominal but higher hidden costs |
| Flexibility to scale down | High — contracts end cleanly | Low — end-of-service obligations |
| Best for | Project work, FM, seasonal, fluctuating workforce | Core team, long-term professionals |
The supplying agency files an Ajeer Manpower Outsourcing permit on the MHRSD platform. The permit specifies the workers, the beneficiary establishment, the duration, and the job classifications. Once approved, workers can lawfully work at your site under the partner's sponsorship.
Yes. The beneficiary establishment (you) directs day-to-day work, sets schedules, provides on-site supervision, and integrates workers into your operations. The supplying agency handles administrative employment matters — payroll, Iqama, GOSI, end-of-service.
Ajeer permits are linked to the underlying service contract and are capped at three years. Permits can be renewed, but each renewal goes through MHRSD review.
Under standard Ajeer outsourcing, no — workers are classified under the partner's establishment. This is one of the main reasons employers choose outsourcing over direct hire. Your matched partner can confirm the specific classification before contracts are signed.
Yes, through Iqama transfer via Qiwa. This is common when outsourced workers prove their value and the beneficiary wants to retain them long-term. The transfer is a regulated process and the partner agency facilitates it.
If your band drops below Medium Green during an active Ajeer arrangement, no new permits can be issued, but existing permits typically run to their contracted duration. Your partner will advise on continued compliance options and renewal strategy.
City-specific manpower outsourcing pages with local operator context, partner network detail, and lead times:
Our partner network mobilises skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workers across the Kingdom — fully Ajeer-compliant, ready to deploy.
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