Can You Get a Final Exit Visa While Switching Employers in Saudi Arabia?

If you are an Indian expat in Saudi Arabia and your contract has been terminated by mutual agreement — but you are still in your notice period — can you get a final exit visa?

This is a question that comes up frequently, especially now that more Indian workers are switching employers under the Labor Reform Initiative. A recent Twitter thread between an expat, @Absher, and @CareAljawazat confirmed the answer clearly.

The short answer

Yes, you can get a final exit visa even during your notice period — as long as your contract has been officially terminated. Jawazat’s customer service says the final exit can be issued through the employer’s Absher Business (أبشر أعمال) or Muqeem platform. Under the Labor Reform Initiative, a worker whose contract has ended can also request it through Absher Individuals.

Accepting a new contract from another company does not block your ability to get a final exit from the current employer.

What the official sources say

• @CareAljawazat (Saudi Passports customer service, 18 July 2026): “You can issue a final exit visa via the Absher Business platform or the employer’s Muqeem.” (Source)

• HRSD Labor Reform Initiative (in force 14 March 2021): a worker can request a final exit visa if they are subject to the Labor Law, their contract is authenticated, their iqama is valid, their passport is valid for at least 60 days, they are inside the Kingdom, they own no vehicle and they have paid all traffic fines (Argaam, citing HRSD).

• AHYSP Law Firm: Under the Labor Reform Initiative (March 2021), qualified workers can apply for a final exit visa through Absher or Qiwa without employer approval, provided their contract has ended or expired. (Source)

Two ways to get the final exit

Option 1: Through Absher (employee-initiated)

Under the Labor Reform Initiative, you can request the final exit yourself if:

1. Your contract has ended (the initiative’s “after the contract ends” route)
2. Your iqama is valid and your passport is valid for at least 60 days
3. There is no vehicle registered under your name
4. All traffic fines are paid and you are inside Saudi Arabia
5. Your dependents also need final exits (the head of family issues these on Absher)

How it works:

• Submit the final exit request through Absher Individuals (or via Qiwa)
• Your employer is notified electronically — secondary sources describe a 10-day window for the employer to raise an objection
• The exact screens and timelines are shown inside the service, so follow what Absher displays

Once issued, a final exit visa must be used within its validity (generally up to 60 days), or a fine applies.

Option 2: Through employer’s Muqeem platform

Your current employer can also issue the final exit through Absher Business or Muqeem — this is the route @CareAljawazat pointed to. It is often faster, because there is no notification period.

Important: notice period does not block final exit

Here is the key point that confuses many expats:

• Your contract is terminated → you are in notice period → you have accepted a new offer from another company
• None of this blocks the final exit from the current employer
• The final exit is tied to your current contract termination, not to whether you have a new contract
• Your new employer will process your new iqama through a fresh work visa, not through transfer

⚠️ One thing to watch: If you are still inside your notice period, your current employer technically still “owns” your iqama until the notice period ends. In practice, most employers issue the final exit promptly after contract termination, but if there is a dispute, you may need to wait until the notice period concludes.

What about End-of-Service Benefits (ESB)?

Before leaving, make sure your ESB is calculated and paid. Under Saudi Labor Law:

• Award (Article 84): half a month’s wage for each of the first 5 years of service, and one month’s wage for each year after that
• If you resign (Article 85): you get one-third of the award after 2–5 years of service, two-thirds after 5–10 years, and the full award after 10 years or more (nothing if under 2 years)
• Contract ended by mutual agreement or by the employer: the full Article 84 award applies

You can use the ESB calculator to check your entitlements.

Can you come back to Saudi Arabia after final exit?

Yes. There is no automatic re-entry ban after a legal final exit. You can return on a new work visa with a new employer. Problems usually arise only if you overstayed, were reported absent from work, or had unresolved legal issues.

Related guides

• Iqama Renewal — Complete Guide
• End of Service Benefits Calculator
• Job Transfer Rules in Saudi Arabia
• Check Iqama Expiry Date

References

1. CareAljawazat — Final exit via Absher during notice period — Twitter (July 2026)
2. AHYSP Law Firm — Final exit regulations under LRI — ahysp.com
3. Ministry of Human Resources — Qiwa platform — qiwa.sa
4. HRSD — Labor Reform Initiative launch — hrsd.gov.sa
5. Argaam — HRSD guidelines of the contractual relationship improvement initiative (March 2021) — argaam.com

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Rules may change. Always verify with the official Jawazat or MHRSD platforms before making decisions.