{"id":2182,"date":"2025-09-08T13:26:56","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T10:26:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saudi.it.com\/?p=2182"},"modified":"2026-02-21T11:00:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T08:00:16","slug":"how-many-times-iqama-can-be-transferred","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/saudi.it.com\/en\/how-many-times-iqama-can-be-transferred\/","title":{"rendered":"How Many Times Iqama can be Transferred"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u2019s service.<\/p>\n

How Many Times Iqama can be Transferred<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Iqama can be transferred is <\/strong>3<\/strong> times<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n

What are the cases Iqama can be Transferred in Qiwa<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Below you can find out the cases Iqama can be transferred in Qiwa:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Status<\/strong><\/td>\nRequired approvals<\/strong><\/td>\nEmployee Status<\/strong><\/td>\nSteps to transfer Iqama<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Direct Transfer<\/td>\nNo approval from current employer or completion of notice period required.<\/td>\nTermination of work permit or expiration of residency<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Sending a transfer request from the new employer<\/li>\n
  • Employee\u2019s approval of the request in the personnel Qiwa<\/li>\n
  • Completing the transfer request by the new employer in the Ministry of Interior systems (Absher Business, Resident)<\/li>\n
  • Completing the transfer process<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Requires completion of notice period<\/td>\nNo employer approval required<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • More than a year has passed since the employee first entered Saudi Arabia<\/li>\n
  • The new facility meets all the following requirements:<\/li>\n
  • 100% documentation of non-Saudi employee contracts in the workforce<\/li>\n
  • Existence of an approved internal work organization regulation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
\n
    \n
  • Sending a request from the new employer<\/li>\n
  • Employee’s approval of the request in the Qiwa individuals<\/li>\n
  • Transferring the request to a maximum notice period of 90 days (the current employer can reduce the period)<\/li>\n
  • Employee remains with the current employer until the notice period is completed<\/li>\n
  • After the notice period ends, the transfer request is completed by the new employer in the Ministry of Interior systems (Absher Business, Resident)<\/li>\n
  • Completion of the transfer process<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Requires approval of current employer<\/td>\nNo notice period required<\/td>\n\n
    \n
  • Less than a year has passed since the employee first entered Saudi Arabia<\/li>\n
  • The new facility does not meet one of the following requirements:<\/li>\n
  • 100% documentation of non-Saudi employee contracts in the workforce<\/li>\n
  • Existence of an approved internal work organization regulation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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