Transfer of sponsorship in Saudi Arabia

How to transfer sponsorship to a Company from a Company 

This guide is applicable for every expatriates who wish to transfer to a new company and working in a private company (companies registered in Ministry of Labor). Expatriates may only transfer if they finish their contract and with the approval of their current company. [And for some cases if their iqama & working permit is expired.]

All the process are now online, but some companies still ask for letters for formalities.

Step 1: The new company will send a transfer request to the current company through the Ministry of Labor portal  > > www.mlsd.gov.sa

If the company ask for letters. Simply ask your current company to write a letter stating that they don't have any objections releasing your sponsorship address to new company. Submit this letter to the new company.

Step 2: The current company should accept the request.  Take note that every request has a certain duration.

Step 3: Once accepted by the current sponsor and reviewed by the Ministry of Labor, the new company should immediately proceed to the process such as paying the fees. Take note that once accepted it must be paid within approximately 21 days.

Step 4:  When approval and payment is done. The request will proceed to Ministry of Interior "Jawazat". Once reviewed and accepted, visit the Jawazat office to submit the documents and update the information.

Step 5: Once done in jawazat. The transfer of sponsorship is successful.

*Request may be reject in some cases such as the there is a current transfer request from a different company, the profession is not matched, or if the request is expired and not paid.

Take note:

Before transferring your sponsorship, make sure you agree with the job offer and company policies. Make sure you are aware of everything,


Transfer Fees:

For first time transfer: 2000 SAR

For second time transfer: 4000 SAR

For third time transfer: 6000 SAR



Work permit fee:

2017: 200 SAR per month = 2,400 SAR per year

2018: 300 SAR per month = 3,600 SAR per year

2019: 400 SAR per month = 4,800 SAR per year

2020: 600 SAR per month = 7,200 SAR per year


The calculation of the work permit will vary on the validity up to the expiry date of the work permit.

How to change sponsorship from a Company to Dependent

This guide is applicable for every expatriates who is working in a private company registered in Ministry of Labor and going to transfer to their father, mother, husband, son or brother.
Conditions are applied to be under your son or brother's sponsorship such as you may only transfer if you're a divorcee or if your husband is deceased.
You may only transfer your sponsorship to your Mother if your Father is deceased.
You may only transfer if your sponsor allows you.

Step 1: Provide the letter from the dependent.

It should be written that their company has no objection of taking the sponsorship addressed to the new company.
**Get a copy of this letter, you will need it**

Step 2: Submit the letter to the new company.

The company will be giving you a letter of no objection attested by the Chamber of Commerce. A payment of 35 SAR will be applied.

Step 3: Pay the fees online.

For first time transfer: 2000 SAR

For second time transfer: 4000 SAR

For third time transfer: 6000 SAR

Independent tax won't be applicable unless the iqama is expired.

Step 4: Once all the letter are collected. Proceed to Jawazat and bring the following:

Letter from your husband
Letter from your company attested by Chamber of Commerce
Marriage Contract if transferring to husband*
Divorce or death certificate if transferring to son or brother*
Both Passport
Both Iqama

How to change sponsorship from Dependent to a Company

This guide is applicable for every expatriates whose planning to work in a private company registered in Ministry of Labor.

Step 1: Provide the letter from your dependent (Father/ Mother/ Wife/ Husband /Son /Brother)

The letter should state that "the dependent" doesn't have any objections to release the sponsorship addressed to the new company.

Step 2: Submit this letter to the new company. The new company will bring this letter to Ministry of Labor along with their company letter stating that the company will be taking the sponsorship.

Step 3: Once reviewed and approved by Ministry of Labor, the new company will pay the fees and bring the letters to Ministry of Interior "Jawazat"

Step 4: If approved by the jawazat, the iqama will be change under the new company and the transfer is successful.

Transfer Fees: 

For first time transfer: 2000 SAR

For second time transfer: 4000 SAR

For third time transfer: 6000 SAR



Work permit fee:

2017: 200 SAR per month = 2,400 SAR per year

2018: 300 SAR per month = 3,600 SAR per year

2019: 400 SAR per month = 4,800 SAR per year

2020: 600 SAR per month = 7,200 SAR per year


The calculation of the work permit will vary on the validity up to the expiry date of the work permit.
*The fees are usually covered by the company, but some companies only covers the first transfer, and some companies will divide the payment, so don't forget to discuss the payments*