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Transferring labor sponsorship in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: main steps and conditions

March 26, 2026

Tags: Transfer of sponsorship

Transferring labor sponsorship in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: main steps and conditions

The process of transferring sponsorship for domestic workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requires a careful understanding of the specific procedures and conditions.

If individuals wish to transfer their sponsorship, they must follow specific procedures and conditions.  

In this article, we will explain in detail the steps and conditions for transferring sponsorship for domestic workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, focusing on the following points:

Basic procedures for transferring sponsorship:

 

 Registration:

 Log in to the Absher platform for individuals through the website or application.

 Registration can be done through:

The unified national electronic portal:

 Enter the Absher website https://www.absher.sa{{PLACEHOLDER_22}}{{PLACEHOLDER_23}}

 Choose “Sign in”.

 Enter your national ID number or passport.

  Enter password.

  Click on “Sign in”.

    Absher application:

    Download the Absher application from the App Store.

   Open the application.

   Choose “Sign in”.

   Enter your national ID or passport number.

   Enter password.

        Click on “Log in”.

 Access to the warranty transfer service:

 After logging in, follow these steps

     Choose “Electronic Services” from the list of services.

     Select “Domestic Workers”.

     Select “Transfer Warranty”.

 Data entry:

 Enter new employer information, including:

    – full name.

    – National ID number.

    – Mobile number.

   – Email address.

 Enter domestic worker information, including:

 – Full name.

  – Passport No.

 – Nationality.

 – Date of birth.

– Profession.

– Review all data carefully before confirming it.

 Payment Fees:

 The sponsorship transfer fees are paid electronically through the Absher platform.

 Make sure you have enough funds in your account before paying the fees.

Medical examination:

 The domestic worker must be taken to one of the approved hospitals to undergo a medical examination.

 The list of approved hospitals can be found on the Ministry of Health website https://www.hhs.gov{{PLACEHOLDER_112}}{{PLACEHOLDER_113}}

Taking the domestic worker to one of the approved hospitals for a medical examination.

 Ensure that she has all the necessary vaccinations.

 Obtain a medical report stating that she is fit to work.

Inform your employer:

 The current employer must be informed of the desire to transfer sponsorship.

 It can be reported directly or through the Absher platform.

Obtain written consent:

 Obtain written consent from your current employer. Approval must include the name of the new employer and the date of approval.

 Settlement of financial obligations:

 All financial obligations related to the domestic worker, such as her salaries and any other entitlements, must be settled.

 Make sure to obtain a release from your current employer.

Domestic worker’s consent:

 Obtaining the domestic worker’s approval to transfer sponsorship.

 Her signature on the sponsorship transfer form.

Continue Order:

 The status of the sponsorship transfer request can be followed through the Absher platform.

 Terms of Transfer of Warranty:

The second element in the process of transferring sponsorship for domestic workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia relates to the conditions that must be met to complete the transfer process successfully. These terms include:

  1. Original contract duration:

   – The duration of the domestic worker’s original contract must have expired, or there must be a period of no less than 6 months remaining in the contract.

  1. Payment of financial obligations:

   – The new employer must pay all financial obligations related to the domestic worker, such as due salaries and any other entitlements.

  1. Housing and safety guarantees:

   –  The new employer must provide guarantees regarding the worker’s housing and general safety.

   – This includes providing suitable and safe housing for the domestic worker, in addition to ensuring her safety while working.

  1. No escape reports:

   – The domestic worker must not have any previous escape reports in her security record.

   – The presence of escape reports is considered an obstacle to transferring sponsorship, and may lead to the application being rejected by the relevant authorities.

These conditions aim to ensure the safety and rights of the domestic worker, in addition to protecting the rights of the new employer.

He stresses the importance of adhering to all these conditions before starting the sponsorship transfer process to avoid any legal complications or potential problems in the future..

 Transportation-related fees and costs:

  1. Government fees:

 The sponsorship transfer fee is 2000 Saudi riyals the first time.

 The sponsorship transfer fee increases by 2000 riyals with each transfer.

 The sponsorship transfer fees are paid electronically through the Absher platform.

  1. Medical Insurance:

 The new employer must subscribe to medical insurance for the domestic worker.

 The Ministry of Health determines the conditions for medical insurance for domestic workers.

 Medical insurance conditions can be found on the Ministry of Health website https://www.hhs.gov{{PLACEHOLDER_252}}{{PLACEHOLDER_253}}

3. Other costs: There may be other costs associated with the sponsorship transfer process, such as:

     Medical examination costs.

     Accommodation transfer fees.

     Document translation fees.

     Travel costs for the domestic worker.

Important advice from the experts of Wafd Company:

 Make sure you know all the fees and costs related to transferring sponsorship before starting the process.

 Compare offers from different insurance companies to choose the best offer.

 Ensure that medical insurance covers all domestic worker needs.

In the event of any inquiries or difficulties in paying fees and costs related to the transfer of sponsorship, you can contact us to assist you and complete all procedures

Common problems and how to deal with them:

Individuals may encounter some common problems  during the sponsorship transfer process.

Here is a detailed explanation of each problem and how to deal with it:

  1. Delay in issuing permits:

   – Sometimes, individuals may experience delays in issuing the necessary permits to transfer sponsorship, and this may cause confusion and delay in the process.

   – To deal with this problem, 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.

  1. Complications in documents:

   – Complications in completing the documents required for the sponsorship transfer process may delay the transfer process and complicate matters.

   – To solve this problem, it is recommended to contact labor offices or specialized law firms to obtain assistance in completing the documents correctly and in a timely manner.

  1. Current employer’s refusal to approve:

   – If your current employer refuses to approve the transfer of sponsorship, it may become difficult to proceed with the transfer.

   – You must try to negotiate with the current employer to reach a compromise, and if all attempts fail, you can go to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to request assistance and intervention to solve the problem.

  1. Failure to comply with legal terms:

   – It is very important to adhere to all specified legal conditions, as non-compliance can cause delay or rejection of the operation.

   – Individuals should check that all conditions are met before starting the process, and ensure that correct and legal procedures are followed from the beginning to avoid problems in the future.

By exercising caution and communicating effectively with the relevant authorities, individuals can successfully overcome these problems and complete the sponsorship transfer process smoothly

Conclusion:

Domestic workers are one of the most important elements that contribute to the comfort and safety of daily life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

By following the steps mentioned in this article, individuals can facilitate the moving process and ensure a smooth overall process.

 

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