In the past, transferring an employee’s visa from one company to another in Saudi Arabia was a cumbersome and time-consuming process. The visa transfer process in Saudi Arabia is almost completely processed by the Qiwa platform these days, with Absher or Muqeem being the final platforms for making up the latest updates. This guide covers what the process entails, the steps involved in a transfer, and the issues businesses typically encounter, as well as how to ensure a transfer doesn’t stall.
What Is the Visa Transfer Process in Saudi Arabia?
The visa transfer process in Saudi Arabia is the official way to transfer the work visa and residency sponsorship of a foreign worker between two employers. It operates in the wider context of the Labor Reform Initiative that superseded the previous system of employer control with a system based on contracts, which are recorded at each point in time and limited in duration. No two transfers are the same, as requirements vary, depending on the employee’s length of service and whether special exemption conditions are met.
How Long Does the Visa Transfer Process in Saudi Arabia Take?
Once everything is approved, notice is given, and documentation is in place, most transfers take a few weeks to finish but can be delayed if information does not match between systems.
Step-by-Step Guide to Visa Transfer
- The new employer makes a transfer request from Qiwa with the employee’s Iqama information and signed offer/contract
- The employee accepts the offer on Qiwa or Absher
- The current employer is notified and, on the basis of the length of service, may be required to approve the request or may require a notice period to expire.
- After approval, the new employer pays applicable fees and makes necessary finalizations on the transfer
- The visa and sponsor information for the employee will be updated on Absher or Muqeem, ending the process.
Common Challenges During Visa Transfers
The majority of delays are due to a few common problems. Often, a request is delayed because mismatched data exists between Qiwa, GOSI, and the Wage Protection System (WPS), which must agree before a transfer can be completed. Another frequently occurring issue is response windows that are not completed; if a user or employer is not within a time limit, a request can be cancelled and must begin anew. Even if both parties are ready to transfer, unresolved wages, Nitaqat, or medical insurance records can be obstacles in the way.
Common Challenge | Impact on the Transfer Process | Recommended Solution |
Mismatched Qiwa and GOSI records | Delays or rejected applications | Verify all employee records before submitting the request. |
Missed response deadlines | Request cancellation | Monitor notifications and respond within the required timeframe. |
| Outstanding salary or labor obligations | Transfer may be suspended | Resolve pending employee dues before initiating the transfer. |
| Non-compliant Nitaqat status | Restrictions on receiving or releasing employees | Confirm the employer’s Saudization compliance in advance. |
| Incorrect contract information | Processing delays | Ensure contract details match across Qiwa, GOSI, and other government platforms. |
Manage Visa Transfers Efficiently with OST
When it comes to handling visa transfers while performing normal HR duties, it’s a strain on most internal teams, particularly if several staff members are transferring simultaneously. Since 2008, OST (Resources Promise) has been handling the processes of workforce and compliance in Saudi Arabia, and it possesses ISO 9001 quality management accreditation and ISO 27001:2022 for information security. Having worked for 17+ years to navigate the requirements for Qiwa, GOSI, and Nitaqat, OST ensures that businesses can continue to move forward with visa transfers instead of being bogged down by unnecessary back-and-forth.
Contact OST
Need support managing employee visa transfers correctly? Contact OST to keep your transfers compliant and on schedule.
Compliance Requirements for Employers
Employers, on both sides of a transfer, have actual compliance responsibilities.
Upon the completion of the transfer, the new employer should ensure that the terms of the contract and the salary paid to the employee are correct in Qiwa and that the employee is registered correctly with GOSI.
The current employer will need to process the request within the right timeframe and settle up any outstanding wages or dues, as the two most common reasons for transfers to get stuck are failing to do so.
Employers in a non-compliant Nitaqat zone also get new limitations to hire and release employees.
Latest Updates to the Visa Transfer Process in Saudi Arabia
Since the introduction of the kafala system in late 2025, the visa transfer system in Saudi Arabia has undergone significant changes.
Nowadays, there are no informal letters or side deals that are recognized outside Qiwa; transfers are fully digital.
A grace period is also provided following the end of a contract or expiry of a contract for employees to move to a different employer or leave the country legally.
These rules are still subject to change, so it’s important for businesses to check the latest requirements with Qiwa, not on older guidance.
How to Avoid Delays and Application Errors
The overwhelming majority of delays that could be prevented are the result of a couple of correctable behaviors.
Data from Qiwa, GOSI, and Mudad should be kept in sync, not updated individually, as mismatched data is the most common reason for rejections.
Complete all notifications promptly rather than waiting for their designated time to respond. Ensure that Nitaqat status and wages are confirmed before making a request and make sure that the terms of the contract are identical between all the platforms that are involved.
