My Sponsor Passed Away — How to Get My Domestic Worker's Final Exit in Saudi Arabia

If you are an Indian family in Saudi Arabia and your sponsor (the iqama holder) passes away — what happens to the domestic worker? How do they leave the country?

This is a situation that many Indian families face, often unexpectedly. A recent Twitter exchange between an expat, @Absher, and @CareAljawazat clarified the exact process.

The scenario

An expat’s father passed away. The domestic worker (maid/driver/nanny) is sponsored under the father’s name. The worker needs to leave Saudi Arabia. What is the procedure?

What CareAljawazat confirmed

@CareAljawazat (July 2026): “The procedure is done by visiting the Jawazat (Passports) office through the legal representative, with the heirs renouncing their claim, and bringing the inheritance inventory document (Sakk His al-Irth).” (Source)

This means the process requires in-person visit to Jawazat — it cannot be done entirely through Absher.

Step-by-step process

Step 1: Obtain the death certificate

Before anything else, you need the official death certificate from the hospital or Civil Affairs (Ahwal Al-Madaniya). This is the foundation document for all subsequent steps.

You can now issue death certificates online through Absher for Saudi citizens. For expats, the process typically goes through the hospital and Civil Affairs office.

Step 2: Get the inheritance inventory document (Sakk His al-Irth)

This is a critical document. The Sakk His al-Irth (صك حصر الإرث) is an inheritance inventory that lists all assets and dependents of the deceased. It is issued by a court or notary public.

The document must include:

• The deceased’s details
• List of legal heirs
• List of dependents (including domestic workers sponsored under the deceased)

Step 3: Heirs must renounce their claim

The legal heirs of the deceased must formally renounce their sponsorship of the domestic worker. This is done at the Jawazat office.

In practice, this means:

• The legal representative (one of the heirs) visits Jawazat
• They sign a document renouncing sponsorship of the worker
• This clears the way for the worker’s final exit

Step 4: Visit Jawazat with all documents

The legal representative must visit the Jawazat (Passport) office in person with:

1. Death certificate of the sponsor
2. Inheritance inventory document (Sakk His al-Irth)
3. The worker’s iqama and passport
4. ID of the legal representative
5. Renunciation form (signed by heirs)

At Jawazat, they will process the final exit visa for the domestic worker.

Step 5: Worker departs Saudi Arabia

Once the final exit visa is issued, the worker must leave Saudi Arabia within 60 days (standard final exit validity).

Important notes

This cannot be done through Absher

Unlike regular final exit procedures where the employee can apply independently, domestic worker exit after sponsor death requires a physical visit to Jawazat. The legal representative must go in person.

Who qualifies as “legal representative”?

The legal representative is typically one of the heirs named in the inheritance inventory. If there are multiple heirs, they may need to authorize one person to act on their behalf.

What if the heirs are abroad?

If the heirs are outside Saudi Arabia, they may need to:

• Grant power of attorney to someone in Saudi Arabia
• Or visit the nearest Saudi embassy/consulate to sign the renunciation

This can complicate the process significantly. It is best to handle it while the legal representative is still in the Kingdom.

What about unpaid wages?

Before the final exit can be processed, any unpaid wages to the domestic worker must be settled. The Domestic Labor Disputes Committee can intervene if there is a dispute.

Can the worker transfer to a new employer instead?

Yes. The domestic worker does not have to leave. After the sponsor’s death, the worker can transfer to a new employer through the standard iqama transfer process. However, this must be done within a specific timeframe — typically within the grace period allowed after sponsor death.

If the family wishes to keep the worker, they would need to transfer sponsorship to another family member who is eligible to sponsor domestic workers.

How long does the process take?

The timeline depends on:

• How quickly the death certificate and inheritance inventory are obtained
• Jawazat queue times
• Whether all documents are in order

In general, expect 1-2 weeks from obtaining the inheritance inventory to getting the final exit visa.

Related guides

• Iqama & Residency — Complete Guide
• Final Exit Visa — Complete Guide
• Issue Final Exit for Domestic Workers via Absher
• Job Transfer Rules in Saudi Arabia

References

1. CareAljawazat — Domestic worker exit after sponsor death — Twitter (July 2026)
2. Migrant Workers Office Riyadh — FAQ on repatriation of deceased sponsor’s dependents — mworiyadh-govph.com
3. AHYSP Law Firm — Final exit regulations and domestic worker procedures — ahysp.com

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