UNDER THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SPONSORSHIP CHANGE, THE RE-ENTRY OF THE WORKER CANNOT BE CANCELED

 

Riyadh: The Ministry Of Manpower And Social Welfare Has Said That The Amendment To The Law On Re-entry, Final Exit And Change Of Sponsorship, Which Will Take Effect Next March, Will Bring More Transparency And Competitiveness To The Workforce In Saudi Arabia. The Amendment Is Intended To Fully Protect The Rights Of Both Parties Based On The Electronic Employment Agreement Signed Between The Worker And The Employer. The Ministry Hopes That This Will Alleviate To Some Extent All Violations In The Workplace, Including Harassment, Non-payment Of Salaries And Free Visas.

The New Amendment Envisages That Instead Of The Current System Of Direct Re-entry And Final Exit By The Employer For Those Who Wish To Leave The Country, The Worker Will Be Able To Re-enter And Final Exit Directly Through His Own Abshir. This Will Be A Great Relief To The Expatriates. According To This, All Non-individual Visa Holders, Including House Drivers, Can Make Their Own Re-entry And Final Exit Through Abshir For A Fixed Fee. This Service Will Be Suspended If There Are Traffic Fines Or Arrears On Government Fees. The Message About The Worker's Own Re-entry And Final Exit Will Be Sent To The Employer Electronically But Cannot Be Canceled. However, If You Do Not Re-enter And Return, The Current Entry Ban Will Apply. The Worker Is Responsible For Re-entry Payment. 

But The Ministry Has Put Forward Some Conditions For The Change Of Sponsorship. The Change Of Sponsorship Is Possible Only After Completing At Least One Year Of Arrival In Saudi Arabia Without The Consent Of The Employer. Conditions For Accessing This Service Are Having An Electronic Employment Contract Signed By Both Parties, Advertising The Job On The Ministry's Kiva Website And Giving Notice To The Current Employer About The Change Of Sponsorship. 

But The Conditions For Companies Willing To Take On Workers' Sponsorship Are Compliance With The Wage Security Act, Eligibility To Obtain A Visa To Recruit Workers From Abroad, And Implementation Of The Ministry's Self-assessment Scheme And Electronic Employment Contract System.