How to Transfer Non-Saudi Employees in Saudi Arabia
The Employee Transfer Service in Saudi Arabia is designed to streamline the process of hiring non-Saudi employees who are already employed by another establishment in the Kingdom. This service not only facilitates the transfer of non-Saudi employees between different employers but also allows the movement of employees within your own business establishments.
Understanding the Employee Transfer Paths
When hiring a non-Saudi employee, the process can follow one of three distinct paths, depending on the employee's current situation:
1. Direct Transfer
The Direct Transfer option allows you to transfer an employee without needing approval from their current employer or waiting for their notice period to end. This path is applicable when:
- The employee’s work permit has expired and has not been renewed.
- The employee’s Iqama (residency permit) has expired and has not been renewed.
- The employee has not received a work permit from their current employer within 90 days of arriving in Saudi Arabia.
If any of these conditions apply, you can initiate the transfer immediately by accessing your Establishment Fund through the Ministry of Interior account.
2. Transfer Pending Notice Period
This transfer path requires the employee to fulfill their notice period with their current employer before moving to your establishment. It is available if:
- The employee has been working in Saudi Arabia for more than one year.
- The Ministry of Authentication’s contract plan is followed.
3. Transfer Pending Current Employer Approval
In cases where the employee has been in Saudi Arabia for less than one year, or specific contractual conditions apply, the current employer’s approval is required for the transfer. This path necessitates coordination with the employee's current employer to obtain the necessary consent.
Requirements for Transferring Non-Saudi Employees
To successfully transfer a non-Saudi employee from another establishment, several business and legal criteria must be met:
- Your establishment must be active and compliant with all relevant regulations.
- Your Commercial Record should be up-to-date.
- All establishments under your group must have valid work permits.
- Compliance with the Wage Protection System is mandatory.
- The number of employees transferred should not exceed the recruitment quota for the medium green Nitaqat level if your establishment is in the Expansion phase.
Eligibility Criteria for Employee Transfer
Before initiating a transfer, ensure the non-Saudi employee meets the following eligibility requirements:
- They must be currently employed in Saudi Arabia.
- They should not be involved in another transfer process.
- They must not hold a Final exit visa or a Final exit work permit.
Step-by-Step Guide to Hiring a Non-Saudi Employee via Transfer
To hire a non-Saudi employee from another establishment, follow these steps:
1. Log in to your Qiwa business account.
2. Navigate to the Services page and select Employee Transfer.
3. Click ‘Transfer an employee’ and choose the appropriate transfer path.
4. Select the establishment from which you want to transfer the employee.
5. Enter the employee’s details, including their border number and date of birth, and load their data.
6. Review and confirm the transfer details.
7. Proceed to contract creation and submit the transfer request.
Once the contract is created, the employee will need to approve it to complete the transfer.
How to Cancel a Transfer Request
If you need to cancel a transfer request, you can do so easily by following these steps:
1. Log in to your Qiwa business account.
2. Go to the Services page and select Employee Transfer.
3. In the 'Requests sent by you' section, find the request you wish to cancel.
4. Click the action icon and select ‘Cancel request’.
5. Review the request details and confirm by clicking ‘Cancel transfer request’.
Checking the Status of Your Transfer Request
You can monitor the status of your transfer request at any time by visiting the Employee Transfer service page on your Qiwa business account.
This streamlined process ensures that hiring and transferring non-Saudi employees within Saudi Arabia is efficient and compliant with all relevant legal requirements, helping your business grow while adhering to national regulations.
Simplify Employee Transfers in Saudi Arabia
Transferring non-Saudi employees between companies requires careful handling of work permits, Iqama updates, and Ministry approvals. Remoly's KSA experts manage the entire transfer process for your team.
| KSA Transfer Support → |
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Remoly — Your Global EOR & Employer of Record Partner Serving 100+ Countries & Regions Worldwide * This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific compliance guidance, consult a qualified professional. Related Articles
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