Work Permit (Rukhsat Amal) via Qiwa in Saudi Arabia
Your Qiwa contract is the legal backbone of working in Saudi - know how it's issued, transferred, and what the levy really costs.
Last verified: 2026-06
Overview
The Saudi work permit (Rukhsat Amal) is tied to a labour contract registered on Qiwa, the Ministry of Human Resources platform. It must exist before your first Iqama is printed and must remain valid throughout employment.
The annual work permit levy - commonly called the Maktab Amal fee - is 9,600 SAR per worker per year for most employers, although Nitaqat-compliant Saudisation-friendly firms can get lower effective rates. Employers pay it through SADAD.
Since the Labour Reform Initiative of March 2021, workers can transfer to a new employer on Qiwa without the current employer's consent under defined conditions (after 1 year, or sooner if wages or Iqama are not in order).
Documents required
- Valid Iqama (or entry visa, for first-time issuance)
- Qiwa-registered employment contract
- Establishment's Nitaqat status (employer side)
- Cleared previous work permit fees
Eligibility
- Sponsoring establishment is registered and active on Qiwa
- Employer is in Nitaqat green/platinum or meets Saudisation quota
- Worker has a profession code that matches the establishment's licensed activity
- No labour disputes pending
Fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Work permit levy (standard) | 9,600 SAR | Per worker per year. Employer pays via SADAD. Confirm current rate on Qiwa. |
| Work permit issuance/renewal | 650 SAR | Per year, bundled with Iqama in most workflows. |
| First sponsor transfer | 2,000 SAR | Paid by new employer. |
| Second sponsor transfer | 4,000 SAR | Confirm current tier on Qiwa. |
| Third+ sponsor transfer | 6,000 SAR | Confirm current tier on Qiwa. |
Step by step
- 1
Employer creates contract on Qiwa
Once you have an entry visa or active Iqama, the employer initiates a digital contract on Qiwa with role, salary, and term.
Same day · online
- 2
Worker signs digitally
You receive an SMS prompt to sign the contract on Qiwa using Absher authentication. The contract is legally binding from the signature date.
Same day · online
- 3
Employer pays levy
Employer pays the work permit levy on SADAD using the generated bill number.
Same day · online
- 4
Iqama issued or renewed
With a valid Qiwa contract and paid levy, the Iqama is issued through Muqeem.
1-7 days · online
- 5
Annual renewal cycle
Each year, employer renews the contract on Qiwa and pays the levy, which triggers Iqama renewal on Muqeem.
online
Processing time: Contract creation and signature: same day. Full work permit + Iqama cycle: 3-10 days.
Renewal
Renewed annually with the Iqama. If the establishment falls below the Nitaqat minimum, renewals are blocked until corrected.
Fines & penalties
- Working outside sponsor / profession code: 10,000-25,000 SAR on employer; deportation risk for worker
- Late work permit renewal: late Iqama fines apply (500 SAR first, 1,000 SAR subsequent)
- Fake Saudisation (employing 'ghost' Saudis): heavy fines and Nitaqat downgrade
Common pitfalls
- Not signing the Qiwa contract within the SMS validity - the contract expires and HR has to reissue
- Assuming the levy is paid - check on Muqeem before relying on it for travel
- Working a side job under another employer without a separate work permit
- Letting the Nitaqat status drop - even Iqama renewals freeze
FAQs
No - by law the employer pays the levy. Some companies try to deduct it from salary; this is non-compliant and you can file a complaint on Qiwa.
Yes, after the first year of service, or sooner if your salary has not been paid for 3 months, your Iqama is not issued, or your contract is expired. File the transfer on Qiwa.
Yes, under the 'work for multiple employers' programme launched by MHRSD. Each additional employer registers a part-time permit on Qiwa.
Nitaqat is the Saudisation rating of your employer. If your employer's rating falls, the Ministry can block new work permits and renewals at that establishment.
You can file a wage protection or transfer request on Qiwa. If three months of salary are unpaid, you can transfer without consent.
Skip the hassle
A vetted typing centre can handle the paperwork end-to-end.
Get help with Work Permit (Rukhsat Amal) via Qiwa