Job Discussion Forums

desert_traveller · Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 335

teacher from country A works for company 1 on a proper work visa. can teacher transfer his iqama to company 2 that might not have a work visa for country A? remember, teacher has already got his iqama etc

from a different angle: do companies have to have a visa quota for people who would like to transfer their iqamas to them? or they can transfer with their existing iqama regardless of the new company's existing visa quotas?

ammm if it sounds too convoluted, don't bother, but i know there are a few people who will get it, i would appreciate any insights, thanks

brasscat · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:52 am Post subject: The Nature of the Iqama

The first basic proposition of the Iqama is, though it maybe issued to you, it is under the control of the company which hired you. In essence, they are your sponsor.

If you leave a company in the KSA, they will request your Iqama be returned to them.

Now when you go to another company, they become the new sponsor and seek issuance of a new Iqama.

Iqamas are not transferrable.
brasscat

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Wrong again Brasscat.

brasscat · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:12 am Post subject: Nope

Tell it to PMU. They have it written in their Clearing Proceedure handout.
brasscat

Cleopatra · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:00 am Post subject:

Brasscat,

Iqamas are transferable. It's not that unusual for people to transfer their sponsorship from one company to another, or even from their spouse to their employer (or vice-versa). However, iqamas can only be transferred with the consent and cooperation of your sponsor. So, if they refuse to tranfer your iqama, there's nothing you can do about it. Companies very often do refuse - it's quite a bit of hassle for them to complete all the paperwork involved, and often they'll only do it if they have a good relationship with the company you're going to.

Often your only option is to get an exit only visa and re-apply through the Saudi embassy in your home country. However, doing so requires an NOC from your previous employer, but that's another story.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I would not believe everything I saw written down. A man could get into trouble that way.

brasscat · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:51 am Post subject: Written is legal

We live in a land where written proof is the only thing accepted as fact.

Ignorance is not bliss.
brasscat

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject:

Written proof is accepted as fact here?!? I thought that "written proof" was only the starting point for negotiations. Confused

desert_traveller · Joined: 28 Nov 2006 Posts: 335

thanks folks, but can anyone answer my question, as it were? coz so far, no one has. you can transfer your iqama, thats a fact, the question concerns the work visa quotas

let me paraphrase

you work for Wahed Ahmed Co on a work visa, you have a togolese passport, and Wahed Ahmed acquired the work visa quota for a togolese employee. you are all sorted with ur iqama etc, and u wanna change employer, now u wanna work for Muhammad & Sons Co, who are happy to employ you but have no work visa quota for togolese people. can u transfer your iqama to them?

hameedox · Joined: 01 Nov 2008 Posts: 4

In Saudi Arabia, if you are a local hire, you have the right to ask for Iqama transfer. But you are better off asking your current employer for transfer when you finish you contract and do your time; otherwise, it is going to be resignation and in that case you only get two thirds of your end-of-service gratuity, of course, IF your employer accepted to release you, which is not very common.

The ministry of labour issues a limited number of visa depending on the business size. So, if your employer accepted your request for visa transfer, it means losing a visa, which is usually very hard for employers to allow. It IS CONVOLUTED, so you need to know more about the complexity of your move before stepping further.