Saudi Arabia’s Qiwa platform, operated under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), has clarified several rules related to employee transfers, work permits, employment contracts, government employees, and disputes between workers and employers.

Employees Marked as “Absent” Can Transfer to Another Employer

An employee whose status has been changed to “absent” because of an absence report, a work interruption report, or termination of the contractual relationship may be able to transfer to another employer through the Qiwa platform.

However, the employee must have spent more than 12 months in Saudi Arabia to qualify for the transfer under this provision.

The new employer is required to pay any outstanding work permit fees related to the employee.

Qiwa Contracts for Government Employees

Qiwa has also clarified that employment contracts cannot be created through the platform for government employees until they complete the required clearance procedures.

The employee must also close their registration with the government entity through the Masar platform before a contract can be created through Qiwa.

When Can an Employee Be Excluded From an Establishment?

Qiwa stated that an employee may be excluded from an establishment if their status in Absher or Muqeem shows either of the following:

• “Left and did not return”
• “Final exit”

Employment Disputes Are Not Handled by Qiwa

Qiwa clarified that disputes between the parties involved in an employment contract are outside the platform’s jurisdiction.

Workers and employers involved in a contractual dispute can use the Amicable Settlement service provided by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

If the dispute is not resolved through the settlement process, the matter can be referred to the labor court.

How to Access Qiwa

Users can access the Qiwa platform through Nafath, Saudi Arabia’s national digital identity service.

Qiwa also allows a group manager to authorize other users to access an organization’s services.

This can be done through the User Management service, where the group manager can assign permissions according to the services and responsibilities given to each user.

Qiwa Does Not Accept Paper Documents

Qiwa emphasized that it is an electronic platform. Therefore, paper documents are not accepted or validated through Qiwa.

Users and organizations must complete the relevant procedures through the electronic platform.

Work Permit Rule for Organizations in the Red Zone

Qiwa has also clarified a condition that organizations must meet when issuing a work permit.

An organization must not have remained in the red zone for eight consecutive weeks.

However, this requirement has an exception for newly established companies.

Key Qiwa Rules at a Glance

• Employees marked as absent because of an absence report, work interruption report, or termination of the contractual relationship may transfer through Qiwa if they have spent more than 12 months in Saudi Arabia.

• The new employer must pay outstanding work permit fees.

• Government employees must complete clearance procedures and close their government registration through Masar before a Qiwa contract can be created.

• Employees listed in Absher or Muqeem as “left and did not return” or “final exit” may be excluded from an establishment.

• Employment disputes are handled through MHRSD’s Amicable Settlement service or the labor court, not Qiwa.

• Qiwa access is through Nafath.

• Group managers can give other users access through User Management based on assigned permissions.

• Qiwa does not accept or validate paper documents.

• Organizations generally must not have remained in the red zone for eight consecutive weeks to issue a work permit, except for newly established companies.