RELEASE TO A COMPETITOR COMPANY

I'm not an expert, but based on what I've seen from my organization, and observing how they have dealt with departing employees wanting a transfer, it all comes down to the mood of the person in charge of making the decision. They can do it if they want to, generally, or NOT do it if they don't want to.  Some employers are benvolent, and will transfer your visa and wish you well, without hesitation. Others are spiteful and vindictive, and/or afraid that if they do it for you, then they'll open the floodgates to other employees, if they know it's easy to tranfer without leaving the Kingdom.  It comes down to your individual employer's mood.  If you have someone in HR who is discrete, and trustworthy, you could go and ask them in confidence, in advance, if the company can be expected to give you a transfer or not.  I would prepare for worst case (leaving and doing the work visa again) and then if they do transfer it, then it'll be a happy surprise.

Thank you very much Dave

You need to understand that your sponsor in saudi arabia has all the rights to do whatever they want when you ask for a release. They can release you if you have good terms with your administration and managers and they send you back to your country on a final exit. Doesn't matter if you were locally hired/transferred or you came to this country on their visa. Once a company decide to send you on a final exit, you can not do anything about it. NOTHING AT ALL. So it all comes down to how your terms are with your current sponsor. As per my knowledge, a company will never release you to work with their competitors in saudi arabia.

I know of people whose company did transfer their Iqama, and they never left the country. But I think it's the exception rather than the rule. Imagine if it was common practice. Some of us would be jumping from employer to employer like fleas on pets.

@TLL

My company usually allows transfer release...im only worried cos its a competitor of ours.

The company which has offered me the new job is a big group with so many joint ventures and other divisions which are not our competitors.

And their HR has agreed to give the demand letter on the group's letter head.

So does this mean that If my current employer ask I can mention any other branch company of this group so that my company doesnt feel that its a competitor?

Will this be a problem?

Kindly advise

ppthelord wrote:

The company which has offered me the new job is a big group with so many joint ventures and other divisions which are not our competitors.

And their HR has agreed to give the demand letter on the group's letter head.

Bleak chances there. In my experience, employers do get to know (somehow) what a leaving employee is planning on.

I agree with with what @Dave-KSA and @Arbab said below. Can't say it in better words.

I have a similar situation and i need your valuable advice.
Since i have received an offer from the competitor company here in KSA, will i be able to join the new company after i go final exit.
Now I have competitor clauses of 2 years mentioned in my contract when I signed when joined 6 years back.
But recently my company had requested to accept a contract in GOSI approved online and in the  GOSI contract competitor clauses of 2 years are not mentioned.

So which is a valid GOSI contract or the contract I signed 6 years back