📌 Introduction
A major enhancement on Saudi Arabia’s Qiwa platform now restricts when employers can mark an employee as “absent from work.” These changes safeguard workers and streamline labor records—read on for full details.
📌 When Can Employers Report “Absent from Work”?
Employers may only file an absence report if both of these conditions are met:
- The employee’s Iqama (residency permit) has at least 60 days’ validity remaining.
- The employee is not under any active employment contract at the time of filing.
🔄 60‑Day Grace Period After “Disconnected from Work”
Once an employee is flagged as “disconnected from work,” they receive a 60‑day window to:
- Transfer to a new employer via Qiwa
- Leave Saudi Arabia
- Sign a new contract with the same employer
If no action is taken within 60 days, Qiwa automatically marks the worker as “absent from work”, removes them from the employer’s records, and notifies both the Ministry of Human Resources & Social Development (MHRSD) and the Ministry of Interior.
📄 Contract Termination Rules
When a contract’s notice period ends—whether terminated by the employer or employee—Qiwa designates that contract as “terminated.” If no further employment action follows, the grace‑period countdown starts. Lack of movement results in automated absence status and ministry notifications.
🎫 Free Employment Certificates via Qiwa Individuals
Employees with a Qiwa Individuals account can now access:
- Salary Certificates for current employment
- Service Certificates for previous jobs
Steps to download:
- Log into your Qiwa Individuals account.
- Navigate to Services → Employment Certificates.
- Select the document you wish to download.
🌐 What Is Qiwa?
Qiwa, operated by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources & Social Development (MHRSD), is an integrated digital platform that supports:
- Work visa issuance
- Employment contract management
- Redirection of sponsorship (job transfers)
- Compliance with labor laws
- Real‑time tracking of contract status and worker records
It is a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030’s labor-system digitization initiative.
✔️ Key Benefits for Employers and Employees
- Worker protection: Ensures fair notice before “absent” classification
- Employer clarity: Sets clear criteria—no unnecessary disputes
- Transparency: All actions are documented and traceable
- Digital integration: Certificates and contract indexing accessible online
