Iqama Transfer Rules: In October 2021, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) of Saudi Arabia amended the iqama transfer regulations. The amended regulations give more freedom of switching job and transfer sponsorship.
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According to the October 2021 amendment, expatriates do not need to wait for 12 months before they can transfer their iqama if their current employer agrees to the transfer. Before, it was mandatory to wait for 12 months after entering into the Kingdom, then they were able to transfer iqama or switch job. A 90 days advance notice to the current kafeel is still required in some no-consent transfer cases (at least 90 days before the end of the contractual relationship under Article 77 of the Labor Law). With the current employer’s approval, and subject to Nitaqat conditions, expatriates can change job at any time after entering into the Kingdom.
Okaz and Saudi Gazette have published the updated regulations on Iqama transfer without consent of Kafeel.
Although Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development have lifted various restrictions yet there are some conditions which need to be met. In case of Iqama transfer before 12 months, an expatriate have to get approval from the existing employer and also have to meet the conditions which are specified in Nitaqat System.
As per the amended regulations, expatriates are allowed to transfer their sponsorship to another kafeel at the end of the employment contract as well. There is no need to get NOC from the existing employer. The Iqama can be transferred without the consent of Kafeel. As of 2026, transfers are processed electronically through the Qiwa platform: the new employer submits a job offer, the worker accepts or rejects it, the current employer is notified, and the system verifies the requirements before the new work permit is issued.
