The Kafala (sponsorship) system is the framework across the GCC under which a foreign worker's right to live and work is tied to a sponsor, known as the kafeel, usually an employer or, for dependents, a family member. The sponsor handles the residence permit, renewals, and cancellation.
Reforms over recent years, especially in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, have loosened parts of the system, for example allowing job transfers without the current employer's consent in defined cases. The sponsor still holds key responsibilities, so understanding who your sponsor is and what they control is central to managing your status.