What Naqal Kafala means
In Saudi Arabia, every expat worker is sponsored by an employer, known as the kafeel. When you change jobs, your Iqama has to be moved from your old sponsor to your new one. That process is called Naqal Kafala — literally "transfer of sponsorship."
Historically this was slow and entirely dependent on the old employer's goodwill. Recent labour reforms have changed that. The process now runs largely through Qiwa, the Ministry of Human Resources platform, which makes job moves faster and, in some cases, possible even without the current employer signing off.
Transfer fees
The cost of a sponsorship transfer isn't flat — it increases each time you move. This is designed to discourage very frequent job-hopping. The commonly published structure looks like this:
| Transfer | Fee |
|---|---|
| First transfer | ~ SAR 2,000 |
| Second transfer | ~ SAR 4,000 |
| Third and beyond | ~ SAR 6,000 (fixed) |
After the third move, the fee generally stays fixed at the higher level rather than continuing to climb.
Who pays the transfer fee
This is good news for employees: the new employer is responsible for paying the sponsorship transfer fee. As the worker moving jobs, you generally should not be charged for the transfer itself. If a prospective employer asks you to cover it, that's worth questioning before you accept.
Transferring without your current employer's consent
This is the part that has changed the most, and it matters enormously to workers. Under the reformed system, there are specific situations where you can move to a new employer without the current sponsor's approval. Commonly cited examples include:
- When your work contract has expired.
- In cases of delayed or unpaid salary beyond the allowed period.
- Other circumstances defined by the labour regulations protecting employees.
Conditions and eligibility apply, and the exact rules can be detailed, so it's wise to verify your specific case against the current regulations before relying on it.
How the transfer works
While the exact screens vary, the overall flow is consistent:
- The new employer raises a transfer request for you on the Qiwa platform.
- You review and accept the request, confirming the new contract details.
- Depending on your situation, the current employer approves — or, where the rules allow, the transfer proceeds without it.
- The transfer fee is paid by the new employer.
- Once processed, your Iqama is now sponsored by the new employer, and your records update accordingly.
Before you start: a quick checklist
- Valid Iqama: your residency should be current. If it's close to expiry, see how to check your Iqama expiry.
- No blocking issues: outstanding matters can hold up a transfer, so clear what you can in advance.
- Clear new contract: confirm salary, role and that the employer will pay the transfer fee.
- Know your transfer count: remember the fee rises with each move, which affects the new employer's cost.