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Saudi Iqama Transfer (Naql Kafala) Fee Calculator 2026

Work out the sponsorship-transfer fee for a worker's first, second or later transfer in Saudi Arabia, plus the work-permit levy and Iqama fee the new employer must pay at the same time.

⚠️ Fees as commonly reported. The SAR 2,000 / 4,000 / 6,000 transfer schedule and the levy and Iqama fees are the figures widely quoted by Saudi HR and expat advisory sources; Qiwa shows the exact amount before payment. Not yet checked against a primary Ministry tariff page.
0 total cost to the new employer
Transfer fee per worker—
Work-permit levy for the period—
Iqama renewal fee for the period—
Per worker—
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In short

A Saudi sponsorship transfer (naql kafala) is commonly reported to cost the new employer SAR 2,000 for a worker's first transfer, SAR 4,000 for the second and SAR 6,000 for the third or later, paid on Qiwa together with the work-permit levy (SAR 800 or 700 a month) and the SAR 650 annual Iqama fee; the worker cannot be charged.

Who this is for: Saudi employers and HR/PRO staff budgeting a sponsorship transfer, and workers checking what their new employer must pay.

Not tax or legal advice. Transfer, levy and Iqama fees are as commonly reported; Qiwa and Absher show the exact amount for each case and the Ministry can change the schedule at any time.
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What an Iqama transfer costs and who pays

  • Transfer fee (commonly reported): SAR 2,000 for a worker's first transfer of sponsorship, SAR 4,000 for the second and SAR 6,000 for the third and any later transfer. Paid by the new employer through Qiwa.
  • Work-permit levy: the monthly expat levy (SAR 800, or SAR 700 where Saudis are 50%+ of staff) must be paid for the Iqama period at transfer — usually the new employer renews a full year.
  • Iqama fee: SAR 650 a year for a standard worker, pro-rated to the months renewed.
  • Extras: medical test for the new work permit where required, health insurance (mandatory), and any recruitment-agency fee.

Since the March 2021 labour-reform initiative, a worker can transfer without the current employer's consent on expiry of the contract, after one year of service with 90 days' notice via Qiwa, or immediately if the employer has not paid wages for three months, has not renewed the Iqama, or is absent. The new employer must have a valid Nitaqat status and no unpaid wage protection violations.

See also: Iqama Expiry & Days Remaining Calculator.

Assumptions

  • Transfer fee from the Saudi rules file by transfer number (SAR 2,000 / 4,000 / 6,000, commonly reported).
  • Levy = months × SAR 800 (or 700 at 50%+ Saudization); Iqama = SAR 650 × months ÷ 12, from the Iqama levy block.
  • Multiplied by workers; other costs added as entered.

Worked example

Second transfer, 1 worker, full-year renewal, employer below 50% Saudization

Transfer fee SAR 4,000 + levy 12 × 800 = SAR 9,600 + Iqama SAR 650 = SAR 14,250 payable by the new employer on Qiwa. Add medical and insurance (typically SAR 500–1,500).

Frequently asked questions

Can the employer deduct the transfer fee from my salary?

No. Transfer, levy, Iqama and work-permit costs are the employer's by law; deducting them is a violation reportable to the Ministry of Human Resources.

Do I need a release (NOC) from my current employer?

Not in most cases since 2021: on contract expiry, after one year with notice, or where the employer is in breach, Qiwa processes the transfer without consent. Within the first year of a fixed contract the current employer's approval is still needed.

Does a transfer within the same owner's companies count?

Yes, each sponsorship change on Absher counts as a transfer for the fee schedule, though some intra-group transfers are processed at the lower tier — check Qiwa's quoted fee.

How long does the transfer take?

Typically 1–2 weeks once the new employer submits the request and the notice period (if any) ends; the worker continues on the old Iqama until approval.

How much does Iqama transfer cost in Saudi Arabia?

Commonly reported as SAR 2,000 for the first transfer, SAR 4,000 for the second and SAR 6,000 thereafter, paid by the new employer plus the levy and Iqama renewal.

Who pays the Iqama transfer fee?

The new employer, through Qiwa; charging the worker is illegal.

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Written by the Swift IT Sols editorial team · SWIFT SOLSRules sourced from the official authorities named on this page and last checked How we source and check calculators

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