Home Services How Many Times Iqama can be Transferred

How Many Times Iqama can be Transferred

Byلمى محمدUpdated15 April 2025 - 2:36pm

The Saudi Labor Law specifies many times Iqama can be transferred from one employer to another. The law also specifies the conditions for transferring residence that must be met by the worker and the employer, in addition to specifying the fees imposed in each transfer process for the worker’s service.

1 How Many Times Iqama can be Transferred
2 What are the cases Iqama can be Transferred in Qiwa
3 Transferred Iqama of domestic workers through Absher Platform Steps
4 Conditions for Transferred Iqama For Company through Qiwa
5 Conditions for Transferred Iqama For worker
6 Fees for Transferred Iqama
7 Questions & Answers
8 References

How Many Times Iqama can be Transferred

Iqama can be transferred is 3 times, as the expatriate worker can transfer his services from one employer to another four times within specific controls and conditions and pay the fees due for each residence permit transfer for domestic workers, after which the worker will not be able to transfer his residence permit to another entity.

What are the cases Iqama can be Transferred in Qiwa

Below you can find out the cases Iqama can be transferred in Qiwa:

Status	Required approvals	Employee Status	Steps to transfer Iqama
Direct Transfer	No approval from current employer or completion of notice period required.	Termination of work permit or expiration of residency	Sending a transfer request from the new employer Employee’s approval of the request in the personnel Qiwa Completing the transfer request by the new employer in the Ministry of Interior systems (Absher Business, Resident) Completing the transfer process
Requires completion of notice period	No employer approval required	More than a year has passed since the employee first entered Saudi Arabia The new facility meets all the following requirements: 100% documentation of non-Saudi employee contracts in the workforce Existence of an approved internal work organization regulation.	Sending a request from the new employer Employee’s approval of the request in the Qiwa individuals Transferring the request to a maximum notice period of 90 days (the current employer can reduce the period) Employee remains with the current employer until the notice period is completed After the notice period ends, the transfer request is completed by the new employer in the Ministry of Interior systems (Absher Business, Resident) Completion of the transfer process
Requires approval of current employer	No notice period required	Less than a year has passed since the employee first entered Saudi Arabia The new facility does not meet one of the following requirements: 100% documentation of non-Saudi employee contracts in the workforce Existence of an approved internal work organization regulation	Sending a request from the new employer Employee’s approval of the request in the Individuals Qiwa Current employer’s approval After the current employer’s approval, the transfer request is completed by the new employer in the Ministry of Interior’s systems (Absher Resident Business) Completion of the transfer process

Transferred Iqama of domestic workers through Absher Platform Steps

You can follow the simple steps below to transferred Iqama of domestic workers through Absher platform:

Submit a request to transfer the residence by the current employer by logging in to the Absher platform using his digital identity.
Approve the request to transfer the residence by the current resident by logging in to the Absher platform using his digital identity.
Confirm approval of the request to transfer the residence by the new employer by logging in to Absher platform using his digital identity.

Conditions for Transferred Iqama For Company through Qiwa

Below you can find out the Conditions required to transferred Iqama for the company through Qiwa:

A valid commercial register is required.
The establishment’s status must be established.
The work licenses must be valid.
The establishment must be committed to wage protection.
The establishment’s classification must be in the medium green range at least or very small green for small establishments category A, except for the current entity.
There have to be sufficient foundation balance for transfer.

Conditions for Transferred Iqama For worker

Below you can find out the conditions required to Iqama Transfer for Worker:

There have to be no traffic violations on the worker.
There have to be no traffic violations on the employer.
The worker’s residency have to be valid.
The worker’s passport have to be valid.
The approval of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development must be obtained for the new employer.
There have to be no escape report on the worker.
There have to be no exit and return visa or final exit visa for the worker.

Fees for Transferred Iqama

Below you can find out the fees required to Iqama Transfer

Transferred Iqama	Fees
Transfer of Iqama for the first time	2000 Saudi Riyals
Transfer of Iqama for the second time	4000 Saudi Riyals
Transfer of Iqama for the third time	6000 Saudi Riyals

See More: Check Iqama Color Status | Check Iqama Status with Passport Number | Check Iqama Status with Border Number | Iqama Expiry Check without Absher | Query Iqama Expiry Date Status

Conclusion

The process of transferring Iqama in Saudi Arabia takes place between three parties: the old employer, the new employer, and the resident worker. This is done after fulfilling the required conditions from the worker and the employer and paying the fees according to Iqama transfer process number.

Questions & Answers

How much is Iqama transfer fee for the first time?

Iqama transfer fee for the first time is 2000 Saudi riyals.

How much is Iqama transfer fee for the second time?

Iqama transfer fee for the second time is 4000 Saudi riyals.

How much is Iqama transfer fee for the third time?

Iqama transfer fee for the third time is 6000 Saudi riyals.

Where is Iqama transfer request submitted for domestic workers?

Iqama transfer request for domestic workers is submitted on Absher platform.

Where is Iqama transfer request submitted for a resident employee?

Iqama transfer request for a resident employee is submitted on Qiwa platform.

Can a worker transfer his residency without the sponsor's approval?

Yes, a worker can transfer his residency without the sponsor's approval in some special cases, such as the worker not receiving his financial dues.

Do fees have to be paid every time Iqama is transferred?

Yes, fees have to be paid every time Iqama is transferred, which increases by 2000 Saudi riyals each time.

What are the documents required to transfer residency?

Iqama transfer process does not require any documents.

Can a worker's residency be transferred to a facility in a red zone?

The residence of a worker cannot be transferred to a facility in a red zone, as the facility’s zone have to be green medium or very small green for small facilities of category A.

Can the residence be transferred if a work permit is not issued to the employee?

The residence cannot be transferred if a work permit is not issued to the employee except after 90 days from the worker’s arrival and the sponsor does not issue a work permit for him, then the worker can request to transfer the residence without the sponsor’s approval.