RIYADH, June 13: Saudi Arabia’s 2021 labor reform initiative continues to empower private sector expatriate workers with the ability to obtain exit and re-entry visas without their employer’s direct approval, signaling a significant departure from the traditional sponsorship system (kafala).
Under the Labor Reform Initiative (LRI) launched on March 14, 2021, foreign workers in most private-sector can apply for exit/re-entry and final exit visas through digital platforms such as Absher and Qiwa, without requiring their employer’s prior consent. Instead, the system notifies the employer, who is given a 10-day window to file an objection. If no objection is lodged, the visa is automatically issued, streamlining travel for thousands of foreign workers.
This reform covers nearly all private-sector expatriates, excluding domestic workers and select roles such as private drivers, farmworkers, and shepherds. These categories still require full sponsor approval for visa issuance.
How the Reform Works
Exit/Re-entry visa: Once an expatriate submits an application via Absher, the employer is notified electronically. If there is no objection within 10 calendar days, a single-entry, 30-day visa is automatically approved and issued.
Final Exit visa: The same objection window applies, after which a 15-day final exit permit is granted if no dispute is filed.
To be eligible, the worker must have a valid iqama (residency permit), a passport with at least 60 days’ validity, and no outstanding traffic fines or legal holds.
Expats working in Saudi Arabia pay for Exit/Entry Permits
If you’re an expat living in Saudi Arabia with a valid Iqama, you must pay a fee to obtain an exit/re-entry visa if you wish to travel temporarily outside the Kingdom. Only tourists, Hajj/Umrah pilgrims, and short-term business visitors without an Iqama (work visa/residence) don’t use exit/re-entry permits — they leave the country on their visit visas.
Fees:
Single Exit/Re-Entry Visa: SAR 200 (valid for 2 months), + SAR 100 for each additional month.
Multiple Exit/Re-Entry Visa: SAR 500 (valid for 3 months), + SAR 200 for each additional month.
These visas are applied for through Absher (individuals) or Qiwa (business platform).
Payment must be made through SADAD (government payment system) before issuance.
Implementation and Impact
Government data from 2021 revealed that over 1 million expat workers availed these reforms within the first 9 months, either by switching jobs or exiting the country without employer interference.
While the policy was seen as a major win for expatriate rights, labor experts and rights groups have pointed out the gap between legislation and implementation. Some employers still find indirect ways to delay or object to exit requests, and technical glitches in the Absher system can occasionally slow down processing. Additionally, many workers remain unaware of their rights under this initiative due to limited outreach or language barriers.
Despite these challenges, the reform represents a pivotal moment in the Kingdom’s long-term goal of creating a more competitive and transparent labor market—one less reliant on rigid sponsorship hierarchies.
Not to Be Confused with Travel Bans
It’s important to distinguish these labor reforms from travel restrictions imposed on Saudi citizens, particularly activists or dissidents. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s labor initiative targets expatriate labor rights and is separate from internal security policies or politically motivated travel bans, which have drawn criticism from human rights groups.
Saudi Arabia’s exit visa reform is not just a bureaucratic change—it is a meaningful policy shift that offers foreign workers more autonomy and legal protection. While implementation hurdles remain, the ability to travel without employer consent is a step forward in aligning the Kingdom’s labor practices with international standards.
Absher App– is the official government app designed primarily for individual residents and citizens to manage personal government services, including exit/re-entry visas, Iqama renewal, traffic fines, and more.
Qiwa App is more focused on employers and businesses for labor-related services, like issuing work permits, employee contracts, and visa services. While Qiwa can be used to request exit/re-entry for employees, it’s mostly utilized by companies and HR departments.
Special to Arab Times – By JCF
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