Transferring your sponsorship to a new employer in Saudi Arabia is now done online through Qiwa, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s platform for employment services. If you have a new job offer and your current employer agrees to the transfer, the process usually starts with your new employer creating a transfer request on Qiwa. This guide explains how the Qiwa sponsorship transfer works, what you need, and the mistakes that cause delays.
Sponsorship transfer is also known as Naqal Kafala. The rules changed with the Labor Reform Initiative, which gives many expatriate workers more freedom to move to a new employer once their contract ends or under certain conditions. The exact conditions depend on your contract and profession, so check your own case before you start.
What Is Qiwa?
Qiwa is the official online platform where employers and employees in Saudi Arabia manage work contracts, sponsorship transfers, and other employment services. Employers use Qiwa to issue contracts, request transfers, and manage their workforce. Employees can log in to view their contract, accept or review transfer requests, and check their employment status.
As an employee, you log in with your Absher-linked account. Check your Qiwa profile before any transfer, so you know your contract status and whether a request is already pending.
Who Can Transfer Sponsorship Through Qiwa?
In general, a sponsorship transfer is possible when one of these situations applies:
- Your work contract has ended and was not renewed.
- Your current employer agrees to release you to the new employer.
- Your current employer has not paid your salary or has not renewed your Iqama, under the conditions set by the ministry.
- Your employer does not have a valid commercial registration or establishment status that allows keeping workers.
Domestic workers follow a different process through the Musaned platform, not Qiwa. If you are unsure which category you fall under, check your Iqama profession and ask for guidance first.
Your new employer must also be eligible to receive a transfer. The company needs a valid commercial registration, an active Qiwa account, and enough quota or capacity for your profession. If the new employer’s establishment is in the red zone of the Nitaqat program or has unpaid dues, the transfer may be blocked.
Documents You Need for a Qiwa Transfer
Before your new employer starts the request, make sure you have:
- A valid Iqama (residence permit) — check the expiry date
- A valid passport
- Your new employer’s establishment details and Qiwa account
- A signed work contract or job offer from the new employer
- Your current employer’s details and Iqama sponsorship information
- Any outstanding dues cleared, such as unpaid government fees
The transfer fee is set by the government and varies depending on how many times you have transferred before. The official system shows the exact amount when the request is submitted. Fees can change, so confirm the current amount through official channels or ask us on WhatsApp.
Qiwa Sponsorship Transfer: Step by Step
- The new employer creates a transfer request. Your new employer logs in to Qiwa, enters your Iqama number, and submits a sponsorship transfer request.
- You receive a notification. You will see the request in your Qiwa account and may receive an SMS. Review the details carefully — the employer name, profession, and contract terms.
- Accept the request. If everything is correct, accept the transfer request in Qiwa. Do not accept a request from an employer you do not know.
- Your current employer is notified. Depending on your situation, your current employer may need to approve the transfer, or a notice period may apply. In some cases — for example, when a contract has ended — approval is not required.
- The transfer fee is paid. The new employer pays the government transfer fee through the official payment channels.
- The transfer is completed. Once approved and paid, your sponsorship moves to the new employer. Your Iqama details are updated in the system.
- Update your Iqama if needed. In some cases, a new Iqama card is issued or your Iqama details are updated. Your new employer usually handles this step.
Processing time varies. Some transfers are completed in a few days; others take longer if documents are missing or an approval is pending. Start the process early and keep track of each step in your Qiwa account.
Common Mistakes That Delay a Transfer
- Starting with an expired Iqama. An expired Iqama can block the transfer. Renew it first if it is close to expiring.
- Accepting the wrong request. Always check the employer name and profession before accepting. A wrong acceptance is hard to reverse.
- Unpaid fines or dues. Outstanding traffic fines or government fees linked to your Iqama can hold up the process.
- The new employer is not eligible. If the new company has compliance problems, the transfer will be rejected. Ask the employer to confirm their status before you resign.
What If Your Current Employer Refuses?
If your contract has ended and you have completed your notice period, your employer generally cannot block the transfer. If your contract is still active, the transfer usually needs your employer’s agreement. If you believe your employer is blocking a transfer unfairly, or you have not been paid, raise the matter through the official labor complaint channels. Keep copies of your contract, salary records, and messages with your employer.
Final approval of any sponsorship transfer rests with the relevant government authorities, and each case is reviewed on its own facts. No office or agent can guarantee an approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Qiwa sponsorship transfer take?
It varies — some take a few days, others longer if an approval is pending or documents are missing. Check your Qiwa account regularly.
Can I transfer sponsorship without my current employer’s permission?
In some situations, yes — for example, when your contract has ended or under the conditions set by the Labor Reform Initiative. In other cases, your employer’s agreement is needed. It depends on your contract and employment status.
How much is the Qiwa transfer fee?
The fee is set by the government and depends on how many times you have transferred before. The exact amount appears in the official system when the request is submitted. Confirm the current fee through official channels or ask us on WhatsApp.
Can domestic workers transfer through Qiwa?
No. Domestic workers follow a separate process through the Musaned platform. Qiwa is for workers under company and establishment sponsorship.
Need Help With Your Qiwa Transfer?
A sponsorship transfer has many moving parts — your contract, your Iqama, the new employer’s status, and the Qiwa request itself. One missing document can delay everything. At Al Hijaz General Service in Al-Khumra, Jeddah, we help you check your status, prepare your documents, and follow each step of the transfer. Visit our office on Street 60, opposite Mustawsaf Nofa, or message us on WhatsApp at +966559956131. We are open from 10 AM to 11 PM, every day.