Good news for foreign workers in Saudi Arabia.
The Human Resources and Social Development Authority (HRSD) has introduced a brand-new set of guidelines to help change your status as absconding workers in Saudi.
Colloquially known as “Haroob”, the status change is pretty much a full stop on your life in the Kingdom.
Introduced in September 2025, the ministry’s new initiative will offer legal help for employees reported absent from work on Qiwa as reported by Saudi Gazette.
Absconding workers in Saudi
Every year, many expat workers in Saudi Arabia find themselves in “Haroob” status, which basically means they’re marked as having left their job without permission. Once that happens, staying in the country becomes illegal under labor and residency laws. The tricky part? Getting it removed. There is a grace period of 60 days that allows you to transfer your sponsorship before the haroob kicks in. Now, however, new rules have been introduced to ensure that this no longer happens.
Absconding workers in Saudi new guidelines
The Ministry of Human Resources just rolled out a new initiative on the Qiwa platform to help fix absent from work cases. Starting Thursday, September 18, 2025, anyone flagged under this status can now legally transfer their sponsorship to a new employer and get back on track without the usual headaches despite having lapsed the 60-day grace period.
Cases of absconding workers in Saudi covered by the new guidelines
The new initiative isn’t just for one group, it covers a range of cases.
Whether someone was marked absent from work after missing the 60-day grace period, had their status changed when a contract ended, or even got reported before the program launched, they now have a chance to fix their situation and move to a new employer legally.
To qualify, there are a few boxes to tick. The new employer has to cover any overdue permit fees, and the worker needs to have spent at least a full year in Saudi Arabia before leaving their job or their contract ending.
The ministry says this move is all about protecting workers’ rights and making Saudi Arabia’s job market more appealing and fair. It’s part of a bigger push to keep things organized, offer smart solutions, and create a work environment where everyone follows the rules.
More reforms in Saudi
Alongside allowing visitors to open bank accounts with their Visitor ID, Saudi Arabia has rolled out several new measures to strengthen its economy. These include steps to lower real estate prices, a flexible salary program that lets workers access part of their pay early, and a new voluntary pension and savings plan.
Across Saudi, hrsd.gov.sa.
