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 new labor reforms. 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. The final exit can be issued through Absher Absham (the employee portal) or through your employer’s Muqeem platform.

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, July 2026): “You can issue a final exit visa via Absher Absham or the employer’s Muqeem platform.” (Source)

• Saudi Labor Law: Employees can request a final exit visa through Absher if their contract has ended, there is no vehicle under their name, and all dependents’ exit visas are issued.

• 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 new rules, you can request the final exit yourself if:

1. Your contract has been terminated (mutual agreement counts)
2. There is no vehicle registered under your name
3. All dependent exit visas are issued
4. Your iqama expiry is more than 32 days away

Steps:

• Open Absher → My Services → Passports → Visa Requests
• Select “Final Exit Visa” as the request type
• Agree to terms and confirm
• Your employer has 10 days to approve or reject
• If employer does not respond in 10 days, the request is automatically accepted
• Once approved, you have 5 days to issue the visa

The final exit visa obtained this way is valid for 15 days from approval.

Option 2: Through employer’s Muqeem platform

Your current employer can also issue the final exit through their Muqeem portal. This is sometimes faster because there is no waiting period for employer response.

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:

• Less than 5 years: ½ month’s salary per year
• 5–10 years: ½ month’s salary for first 5 years + ⅔ month’s salary for remaining years
• More than 10 years: ½ month’s salary for first 5 years + ½ month’s salary for remaining years

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. The ban only applies if you overstayed, were reported as absconding, 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

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