The Iqama in Saudi Arabia is more than just a document that tracks migration; it is the official identification of all foreign nationals living in Saudi Arabia. The work residency permit is the primary means by which foreigners are permitted to live and work in Saudi Arabia through a Saudi-sponsored job.
However, for many professionals, determining whether an Iqama is transferable or not is a critically important consideration for a legal and smooth transition from one job or employer to another.
Labour market data from Saudi Arabia, according to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), has shown that the total labour force in the country was 18.2 million in the second quarter of 2025.
Out of this, 77% were expatriates. Therefore, it can be inferred that the transfer system is operating efficiently, as it allows millions of foreign workers to change employers and still retain their residency status in Saudi Arabia.
What exactly is a Transferable Iqama?
With a transferable Iqama, the legal sponsorship (kafala) of the employee can be changed from one employer to another without the necessity of exiting Saudi Arabia. This means that your new employer becomes your official sponsor, as they will be responsible for your visa, work permit, and compliance under Saudi Labour Law.
To facilitate labour mobility, the Saudi Government knows that this has been made easier for individuals who are foreign professionals under the Vision 2030 reforms in order to allow foreign professionals to have freedom of movement between employers, subject to meeting their contractual obligations.
Who Can Obtain a Transferable Iqama?
Not all job types or visa types are eligible for transfer. ‘Transferable iqama’ generally refers to an employee who:
- Has completed the initial term of their contract (normally 1 or 2 years)
- Has an active Iqama
- Works for a company that complies with labour and Saudisation (Nitaqat program guidelines).
- Is not currently within a probationary period
One impact of the Nitaqat classification system is to create a reason for an employee to be eligible to transfer to another sponsor; companies ranked in the Green or Platinum ratings may have no restrictions on accepting new sponsorships.
Additionally, recent reforms now permit employees to transfer their Iqama without the company’s consent if they have experienced a violation of labour laws, including:
- Having not received a salary for a period of three consecutive months
- Not having a signed contract of employment
- Having an expired Iqama or working under “secret” sponsorship
- The employer is guilty of a labour violation, or the employee fails to show up for 2 court hearing sessions
Why is Iqama Transferability Important?
Knowing if your Iqama is transferable is your access to better job opportunities, improved benefits, and employers at different Saudisation levels. It is a safeguard for employee rights and employer obligations, as your transition is in accordance with the Saudi Labour Law.
Given that there are currently 14.1 million expatriates working across Saudi Arabia, transferability fosters an equitable and transparent work ecosystem, especially given industries such as construction, technology, and healthcare. Typically employing a large population of international workers, you have the continuity of your work experience here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has communicated that supporting smooth job mobility supports the “retention of the workforce, support of employee rights, and decrease of dependency on overseas recruitment.”
How to Check if Your Iqama is Transferable
Staff can check if their Iqama is transferable through several government portals:
- Ministry of Labour (MOL) Portal
Simply visit the Ministry of Labour website and log in. Under “Check Iqama Transfer eligibility”, you will find the transfer status, restrictions, and count of transfer allowances.
- Qiwa Digital Platform
Qiwa allows for direct entry and monitoring of Iqama transfers. Once workers submit the transfer request, the job offer must also be registered by the new employer, and the previous employer must accept the offer as well.
- Absher Portal
Expatriates may also verify the transfer approval status by viewing any updates from the Ministry of Interior through Absher.
- Employer or Labour Office
Employers have direct access to the Qiwa and MOL transfer tools and can commence or approve requests. Workers can visit the Labour Office (Maktab Amal) for assistance in person.
How Does the Transfer Process Work?
The customary procedure for transferring an Iqama in 2025 consists of:
- Job offer and acceptance: The new sponsor submits an electronic transfer request through Qiwa.
- Add-on approval from MHRSD: After the prerequisites have been met, the approval is usually given within 24 to 48 hours.
- Payment of Fees: Individual employment contracts may vary, but generally, the transfer fees are charged at SAR 2,000 for the first transfer, SAR 4,000 for the second, and SAR 6,000 for the third.
- Absher Confirmation: Once approved, Absher automatically updates the transfer, including the new employer’s name.
- Jawazat Collection: Employees will be printing the new Iqama card at Jawazat (Passport Office).
Recent 2025 Iqama Transfer Updates
The Ministry of Human Resources in Saudi Arabia has recently simplified the Iqama transfer process so that it is completely digital and transparent. Under the 2025 reforms:
- The employee may transfer employment without prior consent from their current employer as long as they fulfil some requirements.
- The employer must meet the conditions of the Wage Protection System (WPS) and the employment readiness program before they can sponsor a new employee.
- The transfer of employment is entirely through Qiwa, thus reducing the requirement for any paper-based transactions and processing time.
This approach puts in place processes for Saudi Arabia to advance its labour freedom ratings and reach the best global practices in workforce management.
Conclusion
Redirecting an Iqama is a smart move that can be done legally by an expatriate who has a transferable Iqama and is in accordance with the labour laws of Saudi Arabia, through improved career opportunities, higher earning potential, and greater job satisfaction. As a company, if you are looking for skilled employees, or as a worker, if you want to switch jobs, understanding the procedure of Iqama transfer is a must for making your next move safe and legal in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
You can also be in control of your work choices if you continuously get the latest information and confirm the transfer eligibility through Qiwa or Absher. This way, you get to enjoy the progressive labour environment of Saudi Arabia.
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