Iqama Services

Iqama Sponsorship Transfer in Saudi Arabia (2026)

Saudi Arabia's 2021 reforms removed the historic requirement for the previous employer to consent to a transfer in many cases. Workers can now self-transfer through Qiwa under defined conditions (contract end, salary unpaid 3+ months, employer in Red Nitaqat, etc.).

What is iqama transfer in Saudi Arabia? Iqama transfer (formerly known as 'sponsorship transfer') is moving a foreign worker's sponsorship from one employer to another. Since the 2021 Labour Reform Initiative, this can happen with or without the previous employer's consent under specific conditions.

Iqama Transfer — operational guide

Iqama transfer (formerly known as 'sponsorship transfer') is moving a foreign worker's sponsorship from one employer to another. Since the 2021 Labour Reform Initiative, this can happen with or without the previous employer's consent under specific conditions.

Saudi Arabia's 2021 reforms removed the historic requirement for the previous employer to consent to a transfer in many cases. Workers can now self-transfer through Qiwa under defined conditions (contract end, salary unpaid 3+ months, employer in Red Nitaqat, etc.).

Tamra runs iqama transfer as a managed service for foreign employers — including the GOSI, Saudization, Absher and Muqeem touch-points that block most non-specialist providers.

Key facts

ServiceIqama Transfer
CostSAR 2,000 first transfer per year, SAR 4,000 second, SAR 6,000 third. Paid via Qiwa by the new employer.
Timeline2–7 days once both employers' Qiwa accounts are aligned.
Primary portalMuqeem / Absher / Qiwa
Sponsoring authorityMOI + MHRSD

Process — step by step

2–7 days once both employers' Qiwa accounts are aligned.

  1. Qiwa job offer. New employer issues a digital job offer through Qiwa to the candidate.
  2. Employee acceptance. Candidate accepts the offer through their Qiwa account. This is the legal trigger for the transfer.
  3. Previous-employer step. Where consent is required, the old employer approves in Qiwa. Where it is not (LRI conditions met), the system auto-progresses.
  4. Transfer fee payment. New employer pays the transfer fee via SADAD.
  5. Iqama re-issuance. Iqama is updated to reflect the new sponsor. The employee receives the new Iqama digitally on Absher/Tawakkalna.

Documents required

  • Valid Iqama (current)
  • Signed digital offer letter via Qiwa
  • Updated health insurance under the new employer
  • Employee's GOSI registration transfer (auto-handled by the system)

Common mistakes

  • New employer in Red Nitaqat — Qiwa will block the transfer
  • Outstanding salary disputes from previous employment not closed via Qiwa's wage protection
  • Trying to transfer during probation without meeting the LRI minimum-tenure rule (1 year for non-LRI transfers)
  • Not aligning offer letter salary with the previous Iqama professional classification

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the old employer's permission to transfer?

Not always. Under the LRI, transfers are allowed without consent if the contract has expired, salary is 3+ months unpaid, the employer is in Red Nitaqat or has labour violations. Otherwise, consent is required.

How much does an Iqama transfer cost?

SAR 2,000 for the first transfer in a calendar year, SAR 4,000 for the second, SAR 6,000 for the third. Fees are paid by the new employer.

Does Tamra handle Iqama transfers in?

Yes. Tamra runs Qiwa-based transfers in and out as part of standard EOR onboarding/offboarding.

Does Tamra handle this end-to-end?

Yes. Tamra manages this as part of the standard Iqama administration package — including all government portal interactions, fee payments and compliance reporting.

Related resources