Saudi Arabia Introduces 60-Day Grace Period for Foreign Workers on Qiwa Platform
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – In a major policy update, Saudi Arabia has implemented a new rule through its Qiwa platform, granting foreign workers a 60-day grace period after the end of their employment contracts before they can be officially classified as “absent from work.”
This new regulation, effective from July 31, 2025, aims to offer more flexibility and legal clarity to both employers and employees navigating the post-contract period.
What’s Changing?
Previously, employers in Saudi Arabia had the authority to immediately mark a worker as absent upon the termination of their contract. However, under the new rule:
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Employers must wait 60 days before reporting a worker as absent.
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The worker’s Iqama (residency permit) must be valid for the entire 60-day period.
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This policy is managed digitally through the Qiwa platform, which is integrated with the Ministry of Human Resources and the Ministry of Interior.
If the worker’s Iqama expires before the end of the grace period, employers cannot report the worker as absent through the platform.
What Can Foreign Workers Do During the Grace Period?
The 60-day window provides foreign employees the chance to:
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Rejoin their previous employer, if invited back.
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Transfer their sponsorship to a new employer through Qiwa.
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Exit Saudi Arabia legally without penalties or legal complications.
If no action is taken during this period, the system will automatically classify the worker as “absent from work”, remove their record from the current employer, and alert the relevant authorities.
Why This Matters
This update is a step toward enhancing transparency and fairness in the Saudi labor market. It also aligns with the Kingdom’s broader vision of labor reforms under Vision 2030, aimed at improving the working environment for foreign professionals and safeguarding their legal rights.
