Check eligibility and calculate the full cost of transferring your Iqama (residency permit) to a new employer in Saudi Arabia.
✅ 2026 Updated Fees🆓 Free Tool📋 Includes All Charges🇸🇦 Saudi Labour Law
What is Iqama Transfer? Under Saudi Arabia's labour reform (since March 2021), expat workers can transfer their Iqama (residency permit) to a new employer without requiring the current employer's consent — provided certain eligibility conditions are met. This tool calculates the fees and checks your eligibility.
Since the Saudi labour reform of March 2021, most expat workers can transfer their Iqama without requiring NOC (No Objection Certificate) from their current employer. The key conditions are:
You have completed at least 12 months with your current employer
Your current employer is in Nitaqat Green or Platinum zone
Your Iqama is valid (not expired for more than 90 days)
You have no active legal disputes or travel bans
Your new employer is in Green or Platinum zone
⚡ Immediate transfer right: If your current employer is in the Red zone, has not paid wages for 3+ months, or the company has closed, you can transfer immediately with no waiting period and no consent required.
2026 Iqama Transfer Fees (Official Rates)
Fee
Amount
Iqama Transfer Service Fee (Absher/Qiwa)
SAR 2,000
Iqama Renewal (1 year) — if due
SAR 650
Dependent Transfer per person
SAR 800
Medical Insurance (new employer, mandatory)
SAR 500 – 2,000
Medical fitness test (if expired)
SAR 120 – 200
Biometric re-enrollment (if required)
SAR 50 – 100
Typical Total (worker only)
SAR 2,000 – 2,850
* Transfer service fee is typically paid by the new employer. Verify with your new employer before accepting the offer.
Step-by-Step Transfer Process
Check eligibility on Qiwa — Log in to qiwa.sa with your Absher credentials. Go to "Labour Reform Initiative" and check if you are eligible to transfer.
Get a job offer from the new employer — The new employer must have an active Nitaqat-compliant account and submit a formal transfer request on Qiwa.
Accept the transfer on Qiwa — You will receive a notification. You have a set window (typically 30 days) to accept the offer.
Complete medical fitness test — If your existing medical fitness certificate has expired, you must renew it at a licensed centre before the transfer is completed.
Renew Iqama if needed — If your Iqama is expiring soon or has expired (within 90-day grace), renew it as part of the process via Absher.
New employer activates Iqama — The new employer pays the Iqama fees and activates your residency under their sponsorship. You receive an updated Iqama with the new employer's details.
Update your records — Update your bank account, insurance, and GOSI records with the new employer's information.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can my employer block my Iqama transfer?
Since the 2021 Saudi Labour Reform, employers generally cannot block Iqama transfers for workers who have completed 12+ months of service, provided both the current and new employer are in Green or Platinum Nitaqat zones. Exceptions exist if there is an active legal dispute, travel ban, or if the worker has not met the service tenure requirement.
What if my current employer is in the Red zone?
If your employer is in the Nitaqat Red zone, you are eligible for immediate transfer without any waiting period and without requiring the employer's consent. This is one of the worker protections under the Saudi Labour Reform Initiative.
Who pays the Iqama transfer fee — me or the new employer?
The SAR 2,000 Iqama transfer service fee is typically expected to be paid by the new employer (as the sponsoring entity). However, this varies by company and negotiation. Always clarify this before signing a new offer letter. Personal fees like medical fitness tests are usually paid by the worker.
Does Iqama transfer affect my end-of-service (EOS) gratuity?
Yes — when you transfer your Iqama, your service with the current employer ends. You are entitled to EOS gratuity based on your years of service with that employer under Saudi Labour Law. Make sure you receive your EOS settlement before or at the time of transfer. Use our EOS Calculator to estimate your payout.
Can I transfer my family (dependents) along with my Iqama?
Yes. Your dependents' Iqamas are linked to your sponsorship, so when you transfer, they also transfer to the new employer's sponsorship. A dependent transfer fee of approximately SAR 800 per dependent applies, and all their Iqamas must be valid at the time of transfer.
What happens if I transfer before completing 12 months?
Transferring before completing 12 months with your current employer generally requires the employer's written consent (NOC). Without consent, the transfer will be blocked unless the employer is in the Red zone, wages are unpaid, or the company has closed/filed for bankruptcy. The 12-month rule is a key threshold in Saudi labour law.
How long does the Iqama transfer process take?
Once both parties have confirmed the transfer on Qiwa and all documents are in order, the transfer typically takes 3–10 working days. Medical fitness and Iqama renewal, if required, may add 5–14 days to the process.