Transfer of sponsorship in Saudi Arabia can be hard, especially when you have to deal with employer clearances, contractual commitments, and platform rules. It’s important to know your rights and the legal measures you need to take, whether you’re changing jobs, settling a disagreement, or intending to move when your Iqama expires.
The Iqama, or residency permit, is the most important thing for expatriates living and working in Saudi Arabia. It is a requirement for getting crucial amenities, including banking, health care, and renting property.
It involves understanding the law, complying with government rules, and going through various phases. This post is a full guide that will help you get through the process of transferring a sponsorship without experiencing any issues.
What is the Sponsorship Transfer in the KSA?
It is the process of changing an Iqama (residency visa) and the sponsorship that goes with it from one employer to another within the Saudi Kingdom. This procedure allows a foreign worker to switch jobs lawfully without departing the country.
A transferable Iqama or sponsorship is made so that a foreign employee can legally switch their employer (sponsor) without having to depart the country. It provides individuals looking for new jobs in Saudi Arabia with more freedom and confidence.
Standard Sponsorship Transfer Process
The Recent Employer Starts the Request:
- After the worker has agreed to the terms, the employee normally gets a Job Offer or an initial contract first. It indicates what the agreement is based on.
- The new employer sends the request for online transfer of sponsorship in Saudi Arabia to the government system when the offer is approved.
- Keep in mind that no official contract of hire has been signed yet.
Move to the Saudi Official Platform:
- The prior employer needs to connect to the Saudi official site and give their approval for the sponsorship transfer in the “Labor Migration” part.
- The process may cease if the present employer doesn’t agree. If there is a labor dispute, the worker may have to wait for the agreement to end or ask for help.
Automated Job Agreement:
- It is the most important step, where the electronic copy of the legally enforceable agreement is made. The job contract is as follows:
- The new employer fills in the job details, such as the title, payment, work hours, fringe benefits, and so on.
- Based on this information, the official Saudi system makes a PDF agreement to work on its own. Both the employer and the worker have to log in to the portal to sign the agreement digitally.
- In KSA, signing through the online portal is required and is seen as a formal contract.
Signing the Agreement and Finishing the Transfer:
The transfer becomes official once both parties have signed the agreement. The worker’s sponsorship is now officially with the new company. The new organization can now register the worker for insurance and start paying them their wage.
New Laws and Changes for Sponsorship Transfer in the KSA
What is the new law for the transfer of sponsorship in Saudi Arabia? The Saudi Labor Reform Initiative and its modifications will completely change the way work is done in the KSA. These alterations aren’t simply small modifications in the way things are run. However, they’re part of the broader national goals, which aim to make the labor market adaptable, competitive, and fair.
Major Change for Foreigners
The new rules for the transfer of sponsorship in Saudi Arabia 2025 make several important adjustments that will directly affect expatriate workers:
Mandatory Limited Agreements:
It is now required for non-Saudi workers to have a signed, limited agreement. If no time frame is given, the contract is automatically seen as a one-year agreement starting when work begins. It makes it easier to understand and predict overseas employment.
Simple Resignation Procedure:
The way to resign is now easier for employees: provided the employer doesn’t react within thirty days, the resignation is automatically accepted. However, employers can wait a further 60 days to accept a resignation, provided they write a letter explaining the reason.
Employees can also take back their resignation within seven days, as long as it hasn’t already been accepted.
Long Probationary Period:
The maximum probationary term has been extended from ninety days to a maximum of 180. It provides both companies and employees more time to decide if they are a good fit.
Extend Worker Mobility:
A significant component of the new guidelines is increased employees’ mobility. Under certain conditions, such as the end of a contract, delays in paychecks, the employer not renewing the Iqama, or a labor agreement not being registered on Qiwa, foreign workers can now change jobs without the present employer’s permission.
It is a significant shift from the prior sponsorship structure, giving employees more choice over their careers.
Tips for Sponsorship Transfer
Keep Positive Relationships:
Talk to your existing employer openly so that approvals can happen more easily.
Utilize Official Platforms:
To avoid fraud, make sure you do all of your business through official government websites.
Remain Updated:
Check the Saudi labor laws and rules often to see if anything has changed that affects sponsorship transfers.
Plan the Budget:
Be ready for any costs that come up during the procedure.
Essential Aspects to Find Sponsorship Transfer Eligibility
Not every foreigner can get a transferable sponsorship. Some of the variables that determine eligibility are:
Type of Work Agreement:
Professionals working in fields like healthcare, construction, or information technology commonly have transferable iqamas as long as their job contracts allow it.
Employers’ Agreement:
The current and future employers must both agree to the transfer.
Job Category and Country of Origin:
Saudi labor laws may limit some employment categories or nationalities.
Conclusion
If you want to switch jobs in Saudi Arabia, you need to go through the sponsorship transfer process. You can make your way through this complicated system with less effort if you know what you need to do and comply with the procedures.
Keep all the papers you need handy and stay in touch with both employers throughout this process. You may now handle your transfer quickly and with assurance.