Many matters that occur to residents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia require updates, including procedures for transferring sponsorship, renewing residency and other things that must be taken into account so that the resident is not exposed to judgment, and this requires the person to meet the terms of transferring sponsorship in order to be able to transfer services to a new employer.
Conditions for transferring sponsorship in the new system for domestic workers
The conditions for transferring sponsorship in the new system include the worker’s reaching 21 years of age, the integrity of the employer’s traffic record, the requirement of valid residency and the absence of an escape report, with a ceiling on the number of transfer times and financial solvency. Below we explain in some detail the most prominent of these conditions:
- The worker must be at least 21 years old.
- The employer must not have four or more domestic workers. If there are more than four, the sponsorship must be transferred by visiting the nearest passport office to the new employer.
- The employer must not have traffic violations or unpaid fees, which are considered one of the most important conditions for transferring sponsorship.
- The worker’s residency is not expired.
- One of the conditions for transferring sponsorship is that the worker not be registered in the system as a runaway worker.
- Do not transfer the worker’s sponsorship more than four times during the period of stay.
- The new sponsor must be of good reputation and must not have judgments .
- A Saudi citizen has the right to sponsor four domestic workers, and this also applies to a divorced or widowed Saudi citizen. The new system also allows for a larger number to be sponsored when there is financial solvency, and financial fees are added for workers who exceed four workers.
These controls aim to regulate the process of transferring the sponsorship of domestic workers and ensuring the rights of all parties, and they are conditions for transferring sponsorship that must be met.
Sponsorship transfer fees for domestic workers For domestic workers
According to the new system for transferring sponsorship in Saudi Arabia, the new employer bears sponsorship transfer fees, which vary depending on the number of times sponsorship is transferred. The fees are as follows:
- First time: 2,000 SAR.
- Second time: 4,000 Saudi riyals.
- Third time: 6,000 Saudi riyals.
- Fourth time: 6,000 Saudi riyals.
The period for the Ministry of Interior’s approval to transfer sponsorship
It has been noted that the time taken from the time of requesting a transfer of sponsorship through the website until the request reaches the Ministry of Labor and is approved by the Ministry of Interior does not exceed one day, as the request is submitted to Musaned and approved at the same time.
Procedures for transferring the sponsorship of a domestic worker from one individual to another in Saudi law
The domestic worker’s sponsorship is transferred through the following :
- The first employer submits a request for transfer of sponsorship through Musaned.
- Records the data of the second employer.
- Then the request is transferred to the worker for approval.
- After the worker approves the application, it is transferred to the second employer for approval.
- After that, a sponsorship transfer invoice is issued and the second employer or recruitment office pays the invoice.
- After paying the bill, the request is transferred to the Absher platform under the supervision of Ministry of Interior.
- Then the second employer approves the application through Passport.
- Then the second employer requests the issuance of a new residence permit for the worker in his name.
Individuals face some problems during the process of changing sponsorship, and these problems and how to deal with them include the following:
1- Delay in issuing permits
Sometimes individuals may face a delay in issuing the necessary permits, and this may cause confusion and delay in the process, so the individual should contact the competent authorities in the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to request to know the reason for the delay and help expedite the procedures.
2- Complexities in documents
Complexities in completing the required documents usually cause delay and difficulty in the transfer process. It is recommended to contact labor offices or law firms specialized in these issues to obtain assistance in completing the documents correctly without delay.
3- The current employer refused to approve
If the current employer refuses to agree to sponsorship, the process may become difficult, and therefore one must try to negotiate with the current employer to reach a compromise. If all attempts fail, one can go toMinistry of Human Resources and Social DevelopmentTo seek help and intervene to solve the problem.
4- Failure to comply with legal conditions
All specified legal conditions must be adhered to. Violation of the conditions may cause delay or rejection of the procedures.
Individuals should check that all conditions are met before starting it, and ensure that correct and legal procedures are followed from the beginning to avoid problems in the future.
Important tips from Wafd company experts
Wafd Company experts provide advice to take into consideration before starting to transfer sponsorship, as follows:
- Make sure you know all the fees and costs related to the moving process before starting it.
- Compare several insurance company offers to choose the best offers.
- Make sure medical insurance covers all domestic worker needs.
- If you have any questions or difficulties in paying fees and costs related to transferring sponsorship, you canContact usTo help you and finish all procedures.
Frequently asked questions
When is the transfer of sponsorship prohibited?
One of the conditions for transferring the guarantee is that there be no impediment or anything that violates the contract. Transferring the guarantee may be prevented in several cases, including:
1- Expiry of residency:
If the worker’s residence permit has expired, it must be renewed before starting the sponsorship transfer process.
2- Passport expiration:
The worker must renew his passport if it has expired before transferring sponsorship.
3- There is a traffic violation:
If the new employer has traffic violations, this may hinder the sponsorship transfer process.
4- There is a report of absence or evasion:
If there is a report of absenteeism or evasion registered against the worker, these reports must be addressed before sponsorship is transferred.
Is the sponsorship transfer request submitted through the Absher platform or the Musaned platform?
The procedure begins through the Musaned platform, where the current employer can submit a request to transfer services. The request is sent to the concerned parties so that their approval for the transfer is documented electronically and the necessary procedures are completed. After approving the request for transfer of services, the new employer enters the Absher platform and completes the approval of the sponsorship transfer request.
What are the operational costs for the new employer to transfer the services of a domestic worker from one individual to another?
The operational cost of the domestic worker services transfer service is 100 riyals, paid by the new employer, which is the cost of studying the employer’s eligibility to transfer the services of a domestic worker to him.
Is the cost of transporting domestic worker services refunded if the order is not completed after the payment process?
Yes, the cost paid through the Musaned platform will be refunded by the new employer, and transferred to the account number registered on the new employer’s data page. Taking into account some bank costs, if any.
Can the sponsorship be transferred online?
Yes, the sponsorship is transferred electronically through the official website of Musaned and registered on it.
You can also transfer the sponsorship through our website (Wafed website) in simple steps.
Is it possible to transfer sponsorship without the consent of the old sponsor?
The sponsorship can be transferred without the sponsor’s approval if the following conditions are met:
- The existence of a lawsuit between the worker and the employer.
- The judicial body’s recommendation to transfer the worker’s sponsorship to prevent any harm.
- Failure to pay the worker’s wages for three months.
- When the worker’s license expires without it being renewed by the employer.
- Three months have passed since the worker entered the Kingdom without issuing a license from the employer.
Can the sponsorship be transferred to a new sponsor outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
Usually no one can transfer a sponsorship to another sponsor outside the borders of the Kingdom.
Can the sponsorship be transferred if there are debts or violations on the expatriate’s account?
If there are traffic violations against the new employer, this stops the sponsorship transfer process.
Who bears the sponsorship transfer fees in the new system?
The new employer bears sponsorship transfer fees, which vary depending on the number of times sponsorship has been transferred.
How many workers are allowed per person?
A citizen is allowed a maximum of 4 workers, whether domestic workers, drivers, or nurses. As for a resident, the maximum number of workers allowed to him is only 2. The state also imposes annual sums of money on each person, whether a resident or a citizen, who exceeds the maximum number of workers.
Domestic workers are among the necessities that have become present in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, so the authorities have been keen to provide all the services they need in recruiting workers and the procedures that take the transfer of the worker from sponsor to sponsor and to include the rights of individuals and groups.
The process of sponsorship transfer can be carried out through Wafd Recruitment Company, as we work to facilitate all procedures and guarantee the rights of all parties involved in the sponsorship transfer process. It is a recruitment company supported by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Musaned, so we implement all recruitment services in one place and in steps. Simple.
