Saudi Iqama Explained: Qiwa, Muqeem, Exit Re-entry, Transfer

By JobSahar Team. Last checked: Oct 31, 2026

Key takeaways

• The iqama is your residence permit in Saudi Arabia. You need it, and a work permit, to work legally.
• By law, your employer pays to issue and renew your iqama and work permit, and pays late fines.
• Your job contract is managed on Qiwa. Approve it only when the terms match what you agreed.
• You can request exit/re-entry or final exit yourself on Absher, if you meet the conditions.
• After 12 months, or when your contract ends, you can move to a new employer through Qiwa without your current employer's consent, if you follow the rules.

Millions of workers live in Saudi Arabia on an iqama. But many do not know their rights. This guide explains the iqama, the online platforms, travel visas and how to change jobs. It uses the Saudi Labor Law and official guides from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD).

What is an iqama?

The iqama is the residence permit for foreign residents in Saudi Arabia. It shows you live in the Kingdom legally.

A foreign worker also needs a work permit. Article 33 of the Labor Law says a non-Saudi may not work without one.

Your iqama is linked to your employer. That is why your employer handles most iqama tasks.

Who pays for the iqama?

Article 40 of the Saudi Labor Law is clear. The employer must pay:

• recruitment fees for foreign workers
• fees to issue and renew the iqama
• fees to issue and renew the work permit
• fines caused by late renewal
• fees for a change of profession
• exit and re-entry visa fees
• the return ticket home when the job ends

The worker pays the ticket home only if he is unfit for work, or if he wants to go home without a valid reason. The new employer pays the fees when a worker transfers to them.

If your employer takes these costs from your salary, you can complain to HRSD.

The three platforms: Qiwa, Muqeem and Absher

Saudi Arabia runs most worker services online. You will hear three names.

Qiwa

Qiwa is the HRSD labour platform. Workers use the individual side of Qiwa ("Qiwa Afrad"). On Qiwa you can:

• see the contract your employer creates
• approve it, reject it or ask for changes
• receive and accept job offers from new employers

Once you and your employer both approve, the contract is documented (certified). A documented contract is important. Many of your rights depend on it.

Muqeem

Muqeem is the portal companies use for passport (Jawazat) services for their foreign staff. The employer's team uses it to:

• issue a new iqama
• renew an iqama
• print iqama cards
• issue or cancel exit/re-entry visas (single or multiple)
• issue or cancel final exit visas
• transfer sponsorship

HRSD's expat guide also lists a Muqeem service to extend an exit/re-entry visa while the worker is outside the Kingdom.

As a worker, you usually do not log in to Muqeem. Your company's HR or government relations team does.

Absher

Absher is the Ministry of Interior platform for individuals. Since March 2021, workers can use it to request an exit/re-entry visa or a final exit visa themselves. See below.

Renewing your iqama

Your employer renews your iqama through its own channels, such as Muqeem. The cost is the employer's by law (Article 40).

Fees and validity periods change from time to time, so we do not list them here. Check the current fees on Absher or with your employer.

Tips:

• Note your iqama expiry date. Remind HR at least a month before.
• Ask HR to confirm when the renewal is done.
• An expired iqama or work permit can cause problems. But it also gives you a right: under the Labor Reform Initiative, you may move to a new employer without conditions if your work permit or iqama has expired.

Exit/re-entry visa

An exit/re-entry visa lets you leave Saudi Arabia and come back during your contract.

Since March 2021, there is an automatic exit/re-entry visa on Absher. You can apply yourself if:

1. you are a foreign worker under the Saudi Labor Law
2. your iqama is valid
3. your employment contract is documented (attested)
4. you pay the fees
5. you have no unpaid fees or fines
6. you declare on Absher that you understand what happens if you do not return on time

Important points from HRSD:

• Your employer cannot cancel a valid automatic exit/re-entry visa.
• You can cancel it yourself while it is valid.
• You can apply for your dependants too.
• If you leave and do not come back to finish your contract, contract-breach penalties apply.

Who pays? Article 40 says the employer pays exit/re-entry fees. But HRSD says the employer does not pay when the worker applies for an automatic exit/re-entry visa himself on Absher. If your employer applies for your leave, ask them to pay as the law requires.

Final exit visa

A final exit visa is for leaving Saudi Arabia for good. You can apply for an automatic exit visa on Absher, during your contract or after it ends. The conditions are the same as above (valid iqama, documented contract, no unpaid fees or fines, and a declaration).

Your employer cannot cancel it. But if you leave for good before your contract ends, contract-breach penalties apply. Try to finish your contract or agree with your employer first.

Changing employer (job mobility)

The Labor Reform Initiative started on 14 March 2021. It changed the rules on moving jobs.

When your contract ends: you can move to a new employer without your current employer's consent.

During your contract: you can move after you finish 12 months with your employer from your entry. You must:

• have a valid, documented contract
• get a job offer from the new employer through Qiwa
• give notice to your current employer. Ministerial Decision 51848 sets at least 90 days' notice.

In your first year, you need your current employer's approval to move.

You can move without these conditions if:

• your contract was not documented within 3 months of your entry
• your salary was not paid for 3 months in a row
• your employer is absent (for example, because of travel, prison or death)
• your work permit or iqama has expired
• you report a commercial cover-up (tasattur) and are not part of it
• your employer misses 2 hearings (court or amicable settlement) in a labour dispute with you
• your employer agrees

How it works: the new employer sends you an offer on Qiwa. You accept it. Your current employer is notified. HRSD says this mobility service has no fees.

If you have a problem

Try to solve it with your employer first. If that fails, you can file a labour complaint. HRSD's guide says complaints go first to amicable settlement, which takes up to 21 working days. If no deal is reached, the case goes to the labour courts.

HRSD call centre: 19911.

Find work in the Kingdom on our Saudi Arabia jobs page. See the latest Gulf jobs and all our guides. Before you accept any offer, read our Gulf job scam warning signs.

Legal note: This guide is general information, not legal advice. Saudi rules and fees change. Check Qiwa, Absher or HRSD for your own case.

Official sources

• HRSD: Saudi Labor Law (English)
• HRSD: Labor Reform Initiative guide (2020)
• HRSD: Labor Reform Initiative announcement
• HRSD: Ministerial Decision 51848
• HRSD: Guide to services provided for expatriates (2024)
• HRSD: Contact us
• Muqeem portal
• Qiwa
• Absher