The probation period under the Saudi Labour Law (فترة التجربة) is the time in which the employer tests the worker's competence and the worker tests the workplace, and during which either of them can end the contract more easily. But it is not without limits: it has a maximum length, it must be written into the contract, and it has particular effects on the end-of-service award and compensation. Here we explain the rules as set out in Articles 53 and 54 of the Labour Law.
The probation rules at a glance
| Issue | Rule |
|---|---|
| Putting it in writing | It must be stated expressly in the employment contract with its length clearly set; if it is not written, there is no probation period |
| Length | No more than ninety days |
| Extension | Allowed by written agreement between the parties, provided the total does not exceed one hundred and eighty days |
| What does not count towards it | The Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays and sick leave |
| Ending the contract during probation | Either party may end the contract, unless the contract gives that right to only one of them |
| Effect of ending it | Neither party is entitled to compensation, and the worker is not entitled to an end-of-service award for this period |
Can a worker be put on probation twice?
The general rule is that a worker may not be placed on probation more than once with the same employer. As an exception, the parties may agree on a second probation period of no more than ninety days, provided it is for a different profession or job, or at least six months have passed since the worker's relationship with that employer ended.
Practical tips
- For workers: read the probation clause before signing, check its length, and do not agree to an extension that is not in writing. If you sign a bilingual contract, check that the English and Arabic versions say the same thing.
- For employers: write the probation period expressly, document the evaluation during it, and end the contract in writing before it expires if you decide not to continue.
- After the probation period ends, termination is governed by the general rules. Read Article 77.
A probation clause for an employment contract
State the period expressly, and document any extension in a signed annex before the original period ends. The maximum period and extension rules were amended in 2025; check the latest official text.
Frequently asked questions
I was dismissed on the last day of probation. Am I owed compensation?
Ending the contract during probation does not, as a rule, give rise to compensation. But if the termination actually came after the period had ended, or the period was not written in the contract, the position is different.
Does the probation period count towards length of service?
If the contract continues after probation, the period is included in the service on which the award is calculated. Read Article 84 and the end-of-service award.
Need an employment contract reviewed, or facing termination during probation?
The team at Usus Law Firm handles labour cases for workers and employers, in Riyadh and Tabuk, and advises in English. See also our employment contract template.
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.
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