Saudi Arabia has announced a new rule for the holders of its Premium Residency, requiring them to apply for a dedicated work permit on the Kingdom’s labour platform, Qiwa before starting their jobs.
The permit will now be required for Premium Residency holders and they will have to pay a SR100 fee to secure the permit, according to guidance uploaded by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development through its website.
The transfer is part of the overall revision of the procedures for employment and visas, with the goal of streamlining employment and visa services throughout the Kingdom.
The platform also announced some other changes that would impact employers and workers. Documentation of training contracts of participants in Tamheer program can now be done electronically via the platform, according to Qiwa.
But these contracts will not give credit towards Saudization quotas, and will not be part of the documentation compliance of employment contracts.
To make transactions easy, service fees can be paid via bank cards, SADAD payment numbers and via the platform’s digital wallet, said Qiwa.
Moreover, the platform explained rules pertaining to employee resignations. Resignations will be subject to a 7-day withdrawal period, unless the employer has accepted the resignation or delayed a decision during that time.
Notice periods, on the other hand, will remain as per the terms of individual employment contracts.
Qiwa also provided guidance on visa-related issues, which includes the fact that visa information cannot be changed after a visa has been issued.
If the information is not correct, the visa has to be cancelled and re-issued with a corrected visa.
The recent changes have significant implications for expatriates, especially for thousands of Pakistanis residing and working in Saudi Arabia, particularly through the Premium Residency pathways, or who handle their employment and visas through the Kingdom’s digital labour system.
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