Renewal of Iqama incase of termination

Hi Fathima, sorry you're dealing with this.

Under the Saudi Labor Law the employer pays the iqama and work permit fees, including renewals, and any fines for late renewal (Article 40). That doesn't change just because the contract is ending. While you're still under their sponsorship, keeping your iqama valid is their job, not yours.

What usually happens when a contract is terminated is one of two things. Either the employer issues a final exit visa and you leave, or you move to a new employer through a transfer on Qiwa. If you want to stay and find another job, start looking now. Once a contract has ended, the labour reforms let you transfer without the old employer's consent, but it's much easier while your iqama is still valid.

A few things worth doing this week:

Get the termination in writing with the date and the reason.

Check your contract and Qiwa record so you know whether it's fixed-term or open-ended, since the notice and compensation rules differ.

Ask HR directly who will renew or cancel the iqama and when, and save their reply.

Also check your end-of-service award before you sign any clearance. If the employer ends the contract, you're owed half a month's wage for each of your first five years and a full month for each year after that (Article 84), based on your last wage.

If they don't pay or won't sort the iqama, you can file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources through Qiwa or the 19911 line.

@AbdullahAlJanoubi

Thank you for taking the time to reply!

I know they wouldn't issue a final exit, but just worried regarding Iqama renewal since it will be due end of November and what happens if they terminate before that.

Thank you once again