Planning to leave Saudi Arabia on final exit? Before you go, make sure you have received all your rights: claiming from abroad is much harder. Since the Labor Reform Initiative, an expat worker may leave on final exit after the contract ends without the employer's consent.
Your rights before final exit
| Right | Note |
|---|---|
| Unpaid wages to the last working day | In full; they show in the Wage Protection System |
| End-of-service award | Depends on length of service and the reason for ending. Use the calculator |
| Pay for unused annual leave | Paid in cash when the relationship ends |
| Return ticket | Borne by the employer as a rule, save in cases the law sets |
| Service certificate | The employer must issue it free of charge |
| Compensation for unlawful termination | If the employer ended the contract without a legitimate reason. Read Article 77 |
Check the current official text of the Labor Law and the initiative's rules.
Steps
- Check your contract status on Qiwa: has it ended, and when?
- Calculate and claim your dues in writing before the visa is issued; do not sign a clearance before you are paid.
- Final exit visa: usually issued by the employer; once the contract has ended, the worker can request it through Absher under the initiative, with notice to the employer.
- Settle what you owe: traffic fines, loans and any service suspension can block departure.
- Leave within the visa period and keep copies of your contract, service certificate and payslips.
If the employer withholds your rights
File for amicable settlement before you leave, and if it fails go to the labour court. You can appoint a lawyer electronically through Najiz to follow the case after you travel. If you would rather stay and work for another employer, read sponsorship transfer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my employer's consent for final exit?
Not after the contract has ended, with notice to the employer. Leaving while the contract is running may carry contractual consequences.
Can I claim my rights after leaving?
Yes, through a lawyer appointed in the Kingdom, but it is better to start before you leave, with your documents in hand.
Leaving with all your rights?
The team at Usus Law Firm reviews your dues before you travel and pursues the claim after, as part of its labour cases practice, in Riyadh and Tabuk, and advises in English.
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
Request a quick consultation
Leave your name and mobile number, and a lawyer from our Riyadh or Tabuk office will call you during working hours. We advise in English.
