Sponsorship Transfer in Saudi Arabia 2026: Requirements, Process and Complete Guide to Changing Sponsors
The sponsorship transfer process in Saudi Arabia has become more digital and organized. Learn about employee transfer requirements, how to submit a request through Qiwa, employee approval, and important information about changing employers.
Sponsorship Transfer in Saudi Arabia 2026: Requirements, Process and Complete Guide to Changing Sponsors
- Foreign workers in Saudi Arabia may transfer from their current employer to a new employer after meeting the required conditions and eligibility requirements.
This process is commonly known as a Sponsorship Transfer, Kafala Transfer, or Change of Sponsor. Official government services may also use terms such as Employee Transfer or Employee Service Transfer.
The employee transfer process is mainly handled through the Qiwa platform, while some related procedures and government records may involve other official services depending on the employee and establishment status.
- Requirements may vary depending on the employee and employer's situation, but generally they may include:
The employee's information and residency status must meet the applicable requirements.
The status of the Work Permit and related requirements should be checked.
The new employer must be eligible to receive and transfer the employee's services according to applicable regulations.
The required procedures must be completed through the Qiwa platform.
In some cases, approval from the current employer may be required. However, there are certain situations in which an employee may be eligible to transfer without the current employer's approval if the applicable legal conditions are met.
How to Transfer Sponsorship Through Qiwa?
In most cases, the process generally works as follows:
- 1The new employer logs in to the Qiwa platform.
- 2The new employer starts an Employee Transfer request and provides the required job offer or employment contract.
- 3The employee logs in to their Qiwa account to review the request.
- 4The employee reviews the transfer request and the details of the new employment contract.
- 5After the required approvals and conditions are completed, the transfer process continues.
- 6Once the process is completed, the employee's information is updated in the relevant government systems.
- No. Each case can be different.
In some situations, approval from the current employer may be required to complete the transfer.
In certain cases provided for under the applicable regulations, an employee may be eligible to transfer to another employer without the current employer's approval if the required conditions are met.
Employees should therefore check their eligibility, employment contract status, and establishment information through the official government platforms.
How Long Does a Sponsorship Transfer Take?
The time required to complete an employee transfer depends on several factors, including:
Required approvals from the relevant parties.
Completion of government procedures.
The status of the employee's documents and records.
Eligibility and legal status of the new employer and establishment.
Any additional requirements related to the transfer request.
For this reason, there is no single processing time that applies to every sponsorship transfer case.
What Changes After the Sponsorship Transfer is Completed?
After the employee transfer is successfully completed, generally:
The employee is registered under the new employer.
Employment-related records are updated.
The new information appears in the relevant government systems after the records have been updated.
Important Tips Before Transferring Sponsorship
Check the employee's Iqama status and information before starting the process.
Check the Work Permit status and related requirements.
Carefully review the new employment contract and all its details before accepting it.
Regularly check the status of the transfer request through Qiwa.
Use only official Saudi government platforms.
Make sure all submitted information is correct before completing the request.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Usually, the new employer starts the Employee Transfer process through Qiwa. The employee then reviews the request and employment contract through their Qiwa account and takes the required action.
However, this does not mean that every employee can transfer without the current employer's approval. Eligibility depends on the employee's circumstances and the applicable regulations.
- First, check the reason why the request was rejected or could not be completed.
Review the employee's eligibility, the new employer's eligibility, document status, and information registered on Qiwa.
After resolving the issue and meeting the necessary requirements, the transfer process may be started again if the employee is eligible.
Conclusion
The Sponsorship Transfer or Employee Transfer process in Saudi Arabia has become increasingly dependent on digital government services. If the employee and new employer meet the necessary requirements and complete the procedures correctly through Qiwa, the transfer to the new employer can be completed in a more organized and convenient way.
This guide is for information only. Always verify details with official Saudi government portals.