Experience certificate template (service certificate) for Saudi Arabia
An experience certificate is the letter an employer gives a worker when employment ends, confirming the dates of service, the job and the last wage. Article 64 of the Saudi Labour Law requires it on the worker’s request, free of charge and without any remark that harms the worker’s reputation. This experience certificate template covers those points.
Replace everything in [square brackets] with your details.
[Company name]
[Commercial registration number] · [Address] · [Phone]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Reference: [Reference number]
To whom it may concern
Subject: Experience certificate
We certify that [Employee full name], a [Nationality] national holding [National ID / Iqama] number [Number], worked for [Company name] from [Start date] to [End date] as [Job title] in [Department].
The employee’s last monthly wage was [Amount] SAR.
[Optional: During this period the employee’s main responsibilities included (main duties).]
This certificate has been issued at the employee’s request and free of charge.
[Name of the authorised signatory]
[Job title]
[Signature and company stamp]
When to use it
Issue it when an employee leaves, whatever the reason, once they request it. The next employer, a professional body or an embassy may ask to see it. It is different from a salary certificate, which confirms that someone is still employed.
What the law requires
Article 64 of the Saudi Labour Law requires the employer, when the contract ends and the worker asks, to:
- Give a service certificate free of charge, stating the start date, the end date, the job and the amount of the last wage.
- Leave out anything harmful. The certificate may not contain any remark that would damage the worker’s reputation or limit their chances of future employment.
- Return the worker’s documents, such as certificates the worker deposited with the employer.
How to fill it in
- Use the dates on record, the same as in Qiwa and GOSI: the first working day and the last day of the contract.
- Use the job title in the contract, and add a short list of duties only if it helps the employee.
- State the last wage as the law asks; if the employee prefers a version for a new employer without it, you can add a separate reference letter, but the Article 64 certificate includes it.
- Sign and stamp it on letterhead and keep a copy with the reference number.
Common mistakes
- Making the certificate conditional on the employee finishing clearance or signing the final settlement. Article 64 sets no such condition.
- Adding comments on performance or the reason for leaving.
- Using dates that do not match the GOSI record, which new employers often check.
In RafiqHR, the experience letter is one of the standard letters: it is issued from the employee record in Arabic or English with a QR code anyone can scan to verify it.
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Is the employer obliged to give an experience certificate?
Yes. Under Article 64, when the contract ends the employer must give the worker, on request, a service certificate free of charge stating the start date, the end date, the job and the last wage, and must return any certificates or documents the worker deposited.
Can the certificate mention why the employee left or their performance?
Article 64 forbids any remark that would harm the worker’s reputation or reduce their chances of finding work. Keep it to the facts the law lists; a positive reference can be added if the employer wishes.
Can I issue an experience certificate to someone still employed?
Article 64 covers the end of the contract. For a current employee, issue an employment or salary certificate stating that they are still employed, for example using the salary certificate template.
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.
