Free HR tool · No sign-up
HRDF (Hadaf) Wage Support Guide
What does HRDF pay toward a new Saudi employee's salary?
Checked against HRDF rules · reviewed 1 Oct 2026 · next review 1 Jan 2027
How HRDF employment support works
When you hire an eligible Saudi on a wage between SAR 4,000 and SAR 15,000, HRDF can pay part of that wage to you for up to 24 months. You apply after the employee has been with you for 90 days (between day 91 and day 180). The support percentage and cap aren't stated on the official page, so we list them as coming soon rather than quote a figure.
- HRDF / Hadaf
- Saudi Arabia's Human Resources Development Fund.
- Support cycle
- One period of support for an employee; up to three cycles within the 24-month limit.
Before you count on it
- Support percentages and caps change with HRDF campaigns — check your offer on the HRDF platform.
- Establishments on HRDF's suspended list can't receive support.
Data Sources
Make the hire count for Nitaqat
A Saudi on SAR 4,000 or more counts as one Saudi in Nitaqat. See the effect on your band in the Nitaqat calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is HRDF (Hadaf) employment support?
HRDF — the Human Resources Development Fund, also called Hadaf — pays part of a newly hired Saudi employee's wage to the private-sector employer, to make hiring Saudis more affordable.
Which salaries qualify for HRDF support?
The employee's monthly wage (basic salary plus housing allowance) must be between SAR 4,000 and SAR 15,000. The employee must be a full-time Saudi aged 18–60, registered on the HRDF platform, and not a student, trainee, retiree or business owner.
How long does HRDF support last?
Up to 24 months per employee, across a maximum of 3 support cycles.
How much does HRDF pay?
HRDF's official Employment Support page doesn't state the percentage or monthly cap, and the Fund runs campaigns with extra support for some sectors, roles, women, people with disabilities and cities. We'll add the amounts once they're on an official page. Your offer shows on the HRDF platform when you apply.
Which employers and hires can't get HRDF support?
Establishments on HRDF's list of entities suspended from support can't receive it. On the employee side, the hire must be full-time and not employed anywhere else, and students, trainees, retirees and business owners don't qualify. A wage outside the SAR 4,000–SAR 15,000 band also rules the hire out.
When should I apply?
Once the employee has been registered with your establishment for 90 days. The request goes in between day 91 and day 180.
Hiring nationals? Every month a role stays open costs you.
Post your roles free in about 2 minutes and say in the description which nationality you prefer. We review every post; once approved it goes live to job seekers across the GCC.
Post a nationals-preferred roleMore free HR tools
Nitaqat Calculator
Weighted Saudi count, Saudization % and the Saudi hires you need — with 2026 Qiwa weights.
Open toolSaudi Minimum Salary Nitaqat Check
Counts as 1 or 0.5 in Nitaqat? Plus profession minimums (engineers, accountants…).
Open toolEmiratisation Calculator
Your Emiratisation target, hires still needed and the estimated contribution if you miss it.
Open toolSaudized Jobs List
Which professions are Saudized, the Saudi share required and when each rule starts.
Open toolExpat vs National Cost Calculator
First-year cost of an expat vs an Emirati or Saudi hire for the same role.
Open toolIqama Renewal Cost Calculator
Yearly iqama renewal cost: expat levy, work permit, iqama and dependant fees.
Open tool