Transfer of services
Also known as: sponsorship transfer · نقل الخدمات · kafala transfer
A transfer of services, commonly called a sponsorship transfer, moves a non-Saudi worker from one employer to a new employer inside Saudi Arabia without leaving the country. It runs through Qiwa, and since the Labour Reform Initiative of March 2021 a worker can, in defined cases such as the end of the documented contract, move without the current employer’s consent.
How it works
The new employer files the transfer request in Qiwa, the worker accepts, and then either the current employer approves or the transfer proceeds under the cases the initiative allows. The receiving establishment’s Nitaqat band affects whether the transfer can go ahead.
What it means for HR
- When receiving: check your band, the worker’s profession and that the iqama is valid.
- When losing a worker: calculate the end-of-service entitlement and deregister them from GOSI.
- The documented Qiwa contract sets its term and what ending it early costs.
Official sources
This is general information to help you understand the topic. It is not legal advice. Rules and rates change: always check the official text on the relevant authority’s platform and consult a qualified adviser before acting.
