Saudi Arabia: 'Absent' Migrant Workers Can Now Transfer Jobs
In a significant move for the expatriate workforce, the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has clarified that migrant workers previously marked as 'absent' are now permitted to transfer their employment via the Qiwa platform.
This clarification, issued on September 30, 2026, provides a pathway for workers whose status was changed due to work interruption reports or the termination of their previous contractual relationships to secure new employment within the Kingdom.
Eligibility and Residency Requirements
While the new provision offers relief to many, it is not universal. To qualify for a job transfer through the Qiwa platform, workers must meet specific residency criteria:
- Minimum Residency: The worker must have resided in Saudi Arabia for at least 12 months.
- Exclusions: Individuals who have been in the country for less than one year are not eligible under this specific provision.
Financial Responsibility for New Employers
One of the most critical aspects of this update concerns the financial burden of transferring sponsorship. Under the new guidelines, the responsibility for settling previous debts falls on the new employer rather than the worker.
If a former sponsor has outstanding work permit fees or levies, the new employer is required to pay these amounts to facilitate the transfer. The worker is explicitly not required to cover any of these previous costs.
Key Restrictions and Exclusions
The Ministry highlighted several categories of individuals who cannot use the Qiwa platform for these specific transfers:
Government Employees
Government staff are prohibited from using Qiwa for new contracts until they have completed their formal clearance and their registration on the Masar platform has been officially terminated.
Residency Status Issues
Workers who currently hold an 'absent' or 'final exit' status on the Absher or Muqeem platforms must first resolve their residency (iqama) status before they can initiate any transfer process.
Employer Compliance
The ability to process work permits is also dependent on the new employer