The Ruling on Bringing in Workers Through Sponsorship and Taking Money from Them

Question:
I brought in workers from abroad, and we agreed that each of them would pay me five hundred riyals in exchange for sponsoring them for a period of two years. Some of them benefit more than what they pay, while others get nothing. Is this forbidden or not?

Answer:
We have not seen from the scholars anything indicating that this is permissible. The Committee of Senior Scholars has looked into this matter and concluded that a believer should not bring in workers in such a case except through the method established by the state, as it is a wise method. He should bring them in for a known wage between him and them for working for him, and they should be under his supervision. People should seek out those who are good and known for their goodness, so that they do not harm the Muslims.
If he brings them in at his own expense, he may employ them with himself or agree with them to work for someone else at the wage they agreed upon. There is nothing wrong with employing them at his own expense and paying them the wage. If he abandons them and they start working for themselves, and they are satisfied with them in their character according to the method established by the state, there is nothing wrong with that. However, bringing them in and taking money from them for the sponsorship is not permissible; this is not acceptable.