On 30 September 2026, Gulf News reported that Saudi Arabia’s Qiwa platform, which operates under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, allows some workers recorded as absent to move to a new employer. The reported conditions are specific: more than 12 months in the Kingdom, a qualifying status change, and settlement of any outstanding work permit fees by the new employer. Here is what that means for expat workers, and what remains unclear.
- Qiwa now lets some workers with an absence report, work interruption report or contract termination transfer to a new employer.
- The worker must have spent more than 12 months in Saudi Arabia.
- The new employer must settle any outstanding work permit fees.
- Everything runs electronically through Qiwa, with Nafath login. Paper documents are not accepted.
What Qiwa Has Announced
According to the report, a worker whose status on the platform changed because of an absence report, a work interruption report or a contractual termination can be taken on by a new establishment, provided the worker has spent more than 12 months in the Kingdom.
The new employer carries a financial duty. Any outstanding work permit fees must be settled before the transfer goes through. In practice, that means the employer, not the worker, deals with this step through its Qiwa account.
Qiwa also clarified that it does not handle employment disputes. Those go through the Ministry’s amicable settlement service or the labour court, so a transfer does not replace a complaint over unpaid wages or a contested termination.
Who May Qualify
| Condition | What is reported |
|---|---|
| Time in Saudi Arabia | More than 12 months |
| Status on the platform | Absence report, work interruption report or contractual termination |
| Outstanding permit fees | Settled by the new employer |
| Process | Fully electronic through Qiwa; Nafath login |
| Disputes | Not handled by Qiwa; amicable settlement service or labour court |
The report does not give a processing time, a fee amount or a deadline. Treat the table as the conditions that have been published so far, not the full rulebook.
Who Is Excluded or Blocked
- Government employees: They cannot create new employment contracts until clearance procedures finish and their registration with the government body is closed through the Masar platform.
- Red-category establishments: A company that stays in the red category for eight consecutive weeks cannot issue work permits. Newly established companies are exempt.
- Workers recorded as having left: Records showing “left and did not return” or “final exit” can lead to removal from the establishment’s records.
If you are considering an offer, ask the new employer which Nitaqat category it is in. A company stuck in red cannot issue permits, which can stall your transfer.
The Wider Rule Behind It
In June 2026, DLA Piper reported that Qiwa clarified registration rules for expatriates. Non-Saudi workers’ registrations must be cancelled if their work permits expire, or if they remain absent for more than three months after 30 June 2026. The purpose is cleaner workforce records and stronger compliance with labour and immigration rules.
The new transfer route fits that picture. Saudi Arabia is tightening records on one side and giving some workers a legal way back into employment on the other. That second part is what job seekers and workers in Saudi Arabia should notice.
What Workers Should Do
1. Check your own status
Log in to Qiwa through Nafath and look at your status and contract record. Many problems start because workers never see what the system shows. If you were recorded as absent, find out who filed the report and when.
2. Keep your documents
Save your contract, payslips, bank transfers, iqama copy and any messages with the employer. These help if there is a dispute over wages or a termination. Our guide to Saudi Iqama rules and 2026 changes covers what your residency record should show.
3. Do not pay for a transfer
The reported rule puts the work permit fee settlement on the new employer. If someone asks you to pay “transfer charges” or “clearance money”, stop and verify. Our Saudi job scams checklist shows how these demands usually look.
4. Use proper channels for pay disputes
If you are owed wages, a transfer will not settle the claim. Read our article on Najiz direct wage enforcement for how unpaid wages can be pursued.
What Has Not Been Confirmed
- No processing time: The report gives no timeline for a transfer to complete.
- No fee amounts: The outstanding work permit fees depend on the individual case.
- No amnesty or fine waiver: The report does not say that penalties are cancelled.
- No list of eligible nationalities or sectors: Nothing indicates restrictions by country, but check Qiwa for any case-specific rules.
For employers, our report on the weekly residency and labour crackdown in Saudi Arabia shows how closely compliance is being checked right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an absent worker transfer to a new employer in Saudi Arabia?
Some can. Qiwa reportedly allows transfers for workers whose status changed because of an absence report, work interruption report or contract termination, if they have been in the Kingdom more than 12 months.
Who pays the work permit fees?
The report says the new employer must settle any outstanding work permit fees. Check your offer in writing so there is no confusion later.
Do I need paper documents?
No. Qiwa operates electronically and does not accept paper documents. Access is through the Nafath login system.
Does a transfer cancel my unpaid wage claim?
No. Qiwa does not handle employment disputes. Those go to the Ministry’s amicable settlement service or the labour court.
Can a company in the red Nitaqat category hire me?
A company that has been in the red category for eight consecutive weeks cannot issue work permits, unless it is newly established. Ask about its category before you accept.
Sources
- Gulf News, Saudi Arabia allows some absent workers to transfer to new employers through Qiwa platform, 30 September 2026
- DLA Piper GENIE, Saudi Arabia clarifies Qiwa contract limits and expat cancellation rules, 18 June 2026
The Qiwa announcement was reported on 30 September 2026. Details may change, and individual cases vary, so confirm your own status on the Qiwa platform or with the Ministry before acting.