Iqama Transfer 2026: How to Transfer Sponsorship in Saudi Arabia

Last updated: Aug 4, 2026

This article has been reviewed by Wego‘s editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Transferring your iqama sponsorship in Saudi Arabia looks very different in 2026 than it used to. With the kafala system officially abolished and the Qiwa platform handling everything digitally, here’s what expats need to know about eligibility, fees, and the step-by-step process.

Table of Contents

What Is Iqama Transfer?

Iqama transfer, also known as Naqal Kafala, is the process of moving a worker’s residency record from one employer to another. It updates your iqama with the new employer’s details once you change jobs in Saudi Arabia.

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What Changed: Kafala Is Gone, Labor Mobility Is Here

Saudi Arabia announced the abolition of the kafala (sponsorship) system in June 2025 and formally implemented the reform by October 2025, replacing it with a contract-based employment model under Vision 2030. The reform affects over 13 million migrant workers and fundamentally changes how iqama transfers work.

Under the old system, your legal residency was tied to a single sponsor, and changing jobs meant getting a “no objection certificate” from your employer that many refused to give. That requirement is gone, and the entire transfer process now runs digitally through the Qiwa platform, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s (HRSD) unified employment portal.

What the reform means for transfers

The new model gives expat workers three freedoms that didn’t exist under kafala:

You can switch employers after your contract ends without needing your sponsor’s permission.
You can request exit and re-entry visas directly through Absher without employer approval.
You can file labor complaints and access grievance mechanisms without fear of deportation.

Who Can Transfer: Eligibility & When You Don’t Need Employer Consent

Not every expat can initiate a transfer at any time. The standard eligibility requirements are:

A minimum of 12 months with your current employer (in standard cases).
A valid iqama and work permit.
No open labor disputes or pending court cases.
A confirmed job offer from a new employer who is registered, active in HRSD, and compliant with Nitaqat and the Wage Protection System (WPS).

For a detailed walkthrough on checking your iqama validity before initiating a transfer, see our guide to checking your iqama status.

When you can transfer without employer consent

Under the 2026 rules, you can initiate a transfer without your current employer’s approval in these situations:

Your employment contract has expired or been terminated.
Your employer hasn’t paid your salary for three consecutive months.
Your employer failed to renew your iqama or work permit after expiry.
Your employer’s company is on Red Nitaqat status or has shut down.
You’ve completed more than one year of service, though you must serve a 90-day notice period.

If your employer has filed a huroob (absconding) report against you, that complicates the transfer. Check our guide to huroob status checks to understand your options, including the 60-day window to either transfer via Qiwa or process a final exit through Absher.

How to Transfer Your Iqama Through Qiwa: Step by Step

The entire iqama transfer process is now handled digitally. Here’s how it works.

Step 1: New employer creates a job offer

Your prospective employer logs into Qiwa, enters your iqama number, and uploads the employment contract. The offer must include your job title, salary, and contract terms.

Step 2: You accept the offer

You receive a notification on your personal Qiwa account. You have 10 days to review and accept the offer.

Accepting makes the contract legally binding.

Step 3: Current employer is notified

Qiwa automatically notifies your current employer once you accept, and they have 14 days to respond. If they don’t respond within this window, the system can proceed automatically if you meet the transfer conditions.

Step 4: Notice period (if applicable)

If you’re transferring with more than one year of service, a 90-day notice period begins from the date you accept the new contract. Your current employer can agree to shorten this period.

Step 5: Iqama update

After all approvals and the notice period are complete, the new employer finalizes the transfer by paying the sponsorship fees and updating your iqama via Absher or Muqeem. This typically takes 3–7 working days.

For more on how your iqama renewal cycle works after a transfer, check our iqama renewal guide.

Transfer Fees, Timelines, and What to Watch Out For

Transfer fees are paid by the new employer and increase with each subsequent transfer:

Transfer	Fee (SAR)
First transfer	SAR 2,000 (~USD 533)
Second transfer	SAR 4,000 (~USD 1,066)
Third and subsequent	SAR 6,000 (~USD 1,599)

These fees are the employer’s responsibility under Saudi labor law. If a prospective employer asks you to pay them, that’s a red flag.

Key timelines to remember

Job contract approval on Qiwa: 1–3 working days.
Employee acceptance window: 10 days.
Current employer response window: 14 days.
Notice period (if applicable): up to 90 days.
Post-approval iqama update: 3–7 working days.
Grace period after contract termination: 60 days to transfer or exit.

Profession alignment matters

Make sure the job title on your new contract matches the profession (mehna) registered on your iqama. A mismatch between your registered profession and your actual role is now an active enforcement risk under HRSD’s skill-based work permit framework, which classifies workers into three tiers based on education, experience, skills, wage level, and age.

To understand how your iqama number, profession, and status are recorded, our complete iqama KSA guide breaks it all down.

FAQs

How many times can I transfer my iqama?

There is no legal cap on the number of times you can transfer. However, the fee increases with each transfer: SAR 2,000 for the first, SAR 4,000 for the second, and SAR 6,000 from the third onward.

Can I transfer my iqama if it’s expired?

No, your iqama must be valid at the time of transfer. If your employer failed to renew it after expiry, you can initiate a transfer without their consent; check your iqama expiry date through Absher or the HRSD portal before starting the process.

Can dependents on a family iqama work in Saudi Arabia now?

Yes. A 2025 reform now allows qualified dependents, primarily spouses and adult children, to obtain work permits from HRSD, whereas previously dependents on family-sponsored iqamas were barred from working regardless of their qualifications.

What happens if my employer doesn’t respond to the transfer request on Qiwa?

Your current employer has 14 days to respond. If they don’t respond and you meet the eligibility conditions for transfer, the system can proceed automatically.

What’s the difference between the new 5-year iqama card and my residency period?

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; our 5-year iqama explainer covers this in detail.

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