Foreign workers in Saudi Arabia get 60-day window to transfer jobs or exit after contract ends

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has launched a significant labour policy reform to benefit foreign workers, giving them a 60-day grace period after their contracts end to change jobs or exit the country legally.

The change, effective July 31, 2025, was implemented through the Qiwa platform, which digitally manages employment and sponsorship data in coordination with the Ministry of Human Resources and Ministry of Interior.

⚖️ Key changes under the new policy:

• Employers can no longer immediately report a worker as “absent from work” once a contract ends.

• A mandatory 60-day waiting period now applies—only if the worker’s Iqama (residency permit) is valid for at least that duration.

• The “absent” status cannot be applied if the Iqama expires in under 60 days.

🛠️ During the grace period, workers may:

• Transfer to another employer through Qiwa

• Rejoin a previous employer if invited back

• Leave Saudi Arabia legally through immigration procedures

If no action is taken, the system will automatically label the worker as absent, terminate the employer relationship, and notify the authorities.

The move addresses long-standing complaints from expatriate workers about sudden job status changes and provides a clearer, fairer legal framework for post-contract transitions.

It also reflects the kingdom’s broader goals under Vision 2030 to modernize and humanize its labour laws, particularly for its large foreign workforce.