Saudisation Consultancy & Employee Transfer Services in Saudi Arabia

Managing employee transfers in Saudi Arabia requires businesses to follow the applicable employment procedures while keeping their workforce structure aligned with Saudi employment regulations. For companies managing Saudisation requirements, employee movements between establishments can also affect workforce planning and compliance.

Saudisation employee transfer in Saudi Arabia involves managing the transfer of employees between establishments while considering the applicable labour and Saudisation requirements. The exact process depends on the type of employee, the establishments involved, and the conditions that apply to the transfer.

Reyson Badger assists businesses with employee transfer procedures, Qiwa applications, employment documentation, and workforce planning related to Saudisation requirements.
 

What is Saudisation Employee Transfer in Saudi Arabia?

Saudisation, also known as localisation, refers to policies that increase the participation of Saudi nationals in the private-sector workforce. Depending on the business activity, occupation, establishment size, and applicable decision, employers may need to meet specific localisation requirements.

Employee transfer is a separate employment procedure. MHRSD's Employee Transfer service allows businesses to hire non-Saudi employees who are already working for another employer in Saudi Arabia or transfer existing non-Saudi employees between their establishments. The service is provided electronically through the relevant government platform.

Therefore, employee transfer and Saudisation compliance should not be treated as the same process.

A transfer changes the establishment responsible for the employee's employment relationship. Saudisation, on the other hand, concerns the composition of an establishment's workforce and the applicable localisation requirements.

For businesses managing several establishments, it is important to consider both areas when planning employee movements.

Our Saudisation Employee Transfer Services

Reyson Badger provides practical support for businesses handling employee transfers and related workforce requirements in Saudi Arabia.

Employee Transfer Procedure Support

We help businesses understand the applicable transfer procedure and identify the steps required for the specific employee and establishment. This can be particularly useful when transferring employees between establishments under the same business group or when hiring an eligible non-Saudi employee who is already working for another employer in Saudi Arabia.

Review of Employee and Establishment Details

Before submitting a transfer request, we can help review the relevant establishment and employee information. This may include checking establishment details, employee identification information, employment information, and other details relevant to the transfer process.

Qiwa-Related Transfer Application Support

Employee transfer services are provided through Qiwa-related government channels. MHRSD's current guidance explains that employers can use the Employee Transfer service to hire non-Saudi employees working for another employer or transfer their existing non-Saudi employees between establishments.
Reyson Badger can assist businesses with understanding the application steps, preparing the required information, and following the request through the applicable process.

Employment Documentation and Contract Guidance

Employee transfers may involve employment contract and worker approval steps depending on the transfer route. MHRSD's published employee-transfer procedures show that, for applicable transfer requests, the employer initiates the process through Qiwa and the employee may need to log in to their Qiwa account to accept or reject the transfer. We help businesses understand the documentation and contractual steps relevant to their transfer.

Workforce Planning for Saudisation

Employee movements can change the workforce structure of an establishment. Businesses should therefore consider the effect of transfers when planning their staffing arrangements and reviewing applicable Saudisation requirements.
Reyson Badger can help businesses organise their workforce information and consider employee transfers as part of their wider employment compliance planning.

Employment Regulation Guidance

Employee transfers can involve several connected requirements. We provide practical guidance on the applicable employment procedures and help businesses understand the information and actions required for their specific case.

How the Employee Transfer Process Works in Saudi Arabia?

The exact procedure depends on the type of transfer and the employee's circumstances. A typical process can include the following steps:

1. Review the Establishment and Employee Requirements 
   First, review the details of the current and receiving establishments and the employee involved in the transfer.
   
   The business should also identify whether the transfer is between establishments belonging to the same business or involves moving an employee from another employer.
    
2. Identify the Appropriate Transfer Procedure 
   Different transfer routes may apply depending on the employee's circumstances.
   
   MHRSD currently provides an Employee Transfer service for hiring non-Saudi employees already working for another employer and for transferring existing non-Saudi employees between an employer's establishments.
   
   The applicable conditions should therefore be checked before starting the application.
    
3. Submit the Required Information Through the Relevant Platform 
   The employer submits the applicable transfer request electronically.
   
   MHRSD's published procedures describe the use of Qiwa for employee transfer services. Depending on the applicable route, the employer may need to select the receiving establishment, provide employee details, and initiate the relevant transfer or contract process.
    
4. Complete Employee Approval and Contractual Steps 
   Where required, the employee reviews the transfer request and completes the applicable approval process through their Qiwa account.
   
   Contract-related steps may also apply depending on the transfer procedure.
    
5. Follow Up on the Transfer 
   Once the relevant requirements are completed, the transfer is processed through the connected government systems and the employee's records are updated.

Businesses should then review their internal employment records and make sure the employee's information is correctly reflected under the receiving establishment.

Why Choose Reyson Badger?

Employee transfers can become difficult to manage when businesses have multiple establishments or need to coordinate employment and workforce requirements at the same time.

Reyson Badger provides practical assistance with employee-related government procedures in Saudi Arabia. Our support includes reviewing employee and establishment information, assisting with Qiwa-related transfer procedures, and providing guidance on employment documentation.

We also help businesses consider employee transfers as part of their wider workforce planning, particularly where Saudisation requirements apply.

Our approach focuses on clear communication, accurate information, and reducing avoidable procedural errors.

Who Needs Saudisation Employee Transfer Services?

Businesses may seek employee transfer support in several situations, including:

• Companies restructuring their workforce between different establishments.
• Businesses transferring eligible employees between establishments under the same ownership or business group.
• Employers hiring non-Saudi employees who are already working for another employer in Saudi Arabia.
• Companies reviewing workforce arrangements in relation to applicable Saudisation requirements.
• Businesses that need assistance with Qiwa-based employee transfer procedures.

MHRSD specifically identifies employee transfer as a service for businesses hiring non-Saudi employees already working for another employer or transferring existing non-Saudi employees between their establishments.

Businesses should assess their individual circumstances before assuming that a particular transfer route or requirement applies.

Documents and Information Required for Employee Transfer

The information required depends on the transfer type and the employee's circumstances. Businesses should not assume that every transfer requires the same paperwork.
Potential information may include:

• Establishment details.
• Employee identification or Iqama details, where applicable.
• Employment information.
• Employment contract details.
• Details of the current and receiving establishments.
• Other information requested by the relevant government platform.

Importantly, some current MHRSD employee transfer services are automated and do not require separate documents or paperwork. The current Employee Transfer service is listed as having no required documents, while other transfer routes may involve contract-related information.

For this reason, the exact requirements should be checked against the specific transfer service being used.

Manage Employee Transfers With Professional Support

Employee transfers in Saudi Arabia should be handled carefully, particularly when a business operates multiple establishments or is managing workforce requirements alongside Saudisation obligations.

Reyson Badger helps businesses navigate the relevant employee transfer procedures, Qiwa-related applications, employment documentation, and workforce planning requirements.

Contact Reyson Badger to discuss your employee transfer requirements in Saudi Arabia and understand the procedure applicable to your business.
 

Frequently Asked Questions About Saudisation Employee Transfer

1. What is Saudisation employee transfer in Saudi Arabia? 
   Saudisation employee transfer refers to managing an employee transfer while considering the establishment's applicable localisation and employment requirements.
   However, Saudisation and employee transfer are separate processes. Employee transfer concerns the movement of an employee's employment relationship between establishments, while Saudisation concerns applicable requirements for the participation of Saudi nationals in the workforce.
    
2. What are Saudisation employee transfer services? 
   These are professional support services that can help businesses manage employee transfer procedures while considering their workforce structure and applicable Saudisation requirements.
   The support may include reviewing employee information, assisting with Qiwa procedures, guiding contract-related steps, and helping businesses understand relevant employment requirements.
    
3. How does employee transfer work through Qiwa? 
   For applicable transfer procedures, the employer initiates the request through the relevant Qiwa service and provides the required employee and establishment information. Depending on the transfer route, the employee may need to access their Qiwa account and accept or reject the transfer request.
   The exact process can vary depending on the type of transfer.
    
4. Can employees be transferred between establishments? 
   Yes. MHRSD's current Employee Transfer service allows businesses to transfer existing non-Saudi employees between their different establishments, subject to the applicable procedure and conditions.