Everything expat professionals need to know about transferring sponsorship after the kafala reform
Updated June 2026Under the old kafala system, your legal residency was tied to a single sponsor and changing jobs required a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) from your employer — which many refused to issue. Under the 2026 rules:
Additionally, a 2025 reform now allows qualified dependents — spouses and adult children — to obtain work permits from HRSD. Previously, dependents on family-sponsored iqamas were barred from working regardless of qualifications.
Not every expat can initiate a transfer at any time. You must meet all of the following:
Under the 2026 rules, you can initiate a transfer without your current employer's approval in any of these situations:
Transfer fees increase with each subsequent transfer and are the new employer's legal responsibility:
| Transfer number | Fee (SAR) | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| 1st transfer | SAR 2,000 | ~$533 |
| 2nd transfer | SAR 4,000 | ~$1,066 |
| 3rd and subsequent | SAR 6,000 | ~$1,599 |
Additional annual costs that employers or employees may encounter:
| Fee type | Amount | Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit levy | SAR 9,600/year | Employer |
| Iqama renewal | SAR 650/year (approximate) | Employer |
| Dependent levy (per family member) | SAR 400/month (SAR 4,800/year) | Worker (employer often reimburses) |
| Exit/re-entry visa (single) | SAR 200 | Worker |
| Exit/re-entry visa (multi, 12 months) | SAR 500 | Worker |
For a senior expat hire with a non-working spouse and three children, the annual dependent fee burden is SAR 19,200 (~$5,100) on top of work permit costs. Budget this into package negotiations.
When you transfer your iqama, your dependents (family members on your sponsorship) must be updated as well. Key points:
Typically 5-10 business days through Qiwa when all conditions are met. Delays occur due to expired iqamas, Nitaqat status issues, or documentation mismatches between your iqama profession and new job title.
No legal cap exists on the number of transfers. However, each transfer costs more than the last (SAR 2,000 → 4,000 → 6,000), which is a practical disincentive for frequent moves.
Your current employer has 14 days to respond. If they do not respond and you meet the eligibility conditions, the system proceeds automatically in your favour.
Yes, but fines for late renewal must be paid first. The new employer typically handles this as part of the transfer. Proactive renewal before transfer avoids complications.
The new 5-year physical Resident ID card does not mean your residency lasts 5 years. Your legal residency is still tied to your employment contract and must be renewed annually through Qiwa/Absher.
Browse thousands of GCC jobs with transferable iqama — updated every 6 hours
Browse Saudi Arabia jobs →Yes. Under Saudi Arabia's 2024 labour reforms, you can transfer your iqama without employer approval if you have completed 12 months of service. The request is submitted through Qiwa and your employer has 14 days to respond. Silence is treated as approval. You can also transfer without approval if your employer has violated the employment contract or failed to pay wages.
The iqama transfer fee in Saudi Arabia is SAR 2,000 for the first transfer, SAR 4,000 for the second, and SAR 6,000 for the third and beyond. These fees are legally the responsibility of the new employer, not the employee. Charging the employee is a violation of Saudi labour law.
An iqama transfer moves you from one employer to another while keeping the same profession on your residency permit. A profession change updates the job title on your iqama itself, which is a separate process. Many expatriates need both — for example, transferring from one company to another AND updating from "Materials Engineer" to "Procurement Manager". Both are now processed through Qiwa.
Yes. The receiving employer must be on Green or Platinum Nitaqat status to sponsor an iqama transfer. Yellow and Red-rated companies cannot receive transfers. You can check any company's Nitaqat status through the Ministry of Human Resources portal before accepting an offer.
Once submitted through Qiwa, the transfer is typically processed within 24 to 72 hours if the employer approves immediately. If the employer does not respond within 14 days, the transfer is approved automatically. The physical iqama card update then follows within 2 to 4 weeks through the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat).