The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Expands Employer Transfer Options for Foreign Workers with “Absent” Status

• Saudi Arabia’s Qiwa platform has confirmed that eligible foreign workers reported as “absent” may transfer to a new employer after 12 months in the Kingdom, subject to specific requirements. 

Employer Transfer Options for Foreign Workers with “Absent” Status 

The Qiwa platform, operated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, has clarified that workers whose status has changed to “absent” due to an absence report, work interruption report or termination of the employment may transfer to a new employer through Qiwa after completing more than 12 months of residence in Saudi Arabia.  

Transfer Requirements for Absent Workers 

To complete the transfer: 

• The foreign national must have spent more than 12 months in Saudi Arabia.  
• The new employer must pay any outstanding work permit fees owed by the employee.  

Additional Qiwa Clarifications 

Qiwa also confirmed that:

• Government employees cannot create contracts through the platform until they complete clearance procedures and the Masar platform closes their registration.
• Establishments may exclude employees whose status in Absher or Muqeem is listed as “left and did not return” or “final exit.”
• Labor disputes fall outside Qiwa’s scope, and parties should address them through the ministry’s amicable settlement service or the labor courts.
• Authorities cannot issue work permits to organizations that have remained in the red zone for eight consecutive weeks, except for newly established companies.

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