Jobs & Employment — Indian Expat Guide to Working in Saudi Arabia

Working in Saudi Arabia as an Indian expat means understanding your rights, your employer’s obligations, and the digital platforms that manage your employment. From Qiwa contracts to GOSI registration, this guide covers everything you need to know about your job and employment rights.

Table of Contents

🔥 Labor Law — Your Rights as a Worker

• ESB (End of Service Benefit) Calculation Guide
• Overtime Pay Rules — Article 107 & 108
• Salary Delay — How to Complain
• Job Transfer Without Employer Consent
• Working Hours, Leave & Notice Period

📋 Employment Platforms & Processes

• Qiwa Platform — Your Employment Hub
• Download Qiwa Contract
• Terminate Qiwa Contract
• GOSI Registration & Experience Certificate
• Sick Leave + Annual Leave
• Saudization Rules 2026

End of Service Benefit (ESB)

When your contract ends — whether you resign or your employer terminates it — you’re entitled to a final payment based on your years of service. This is called End of Service Benefit (ESB) or Gratuity. The calculation depends on Articles 84, 85, and 87 of Saudi Labor Law.

📖 Full guide: ESB Calculation Guide — Complete Formula & Examples

Overtime Pay Rules

Saudi law gives you the right to overtime pay for extra hours worked. Article 107 covers daytime overtime (150% of hourly rate), and Article 108 covers night work (150% of hourly rate). There’s also a 720-hour annual cap and special Ramadan rules.

📖 Full guide: Overtime Pay Rules — Article 107 & 108 Explained

Salary Delay Complaint

If your salary isn’t paid on time, Saudi law is on your side. The Wage Protection System (WPS) tracks all salary payments, and you can file complaints through Mudad, Qiwa, or directly with the Ministry of Human Resources (HRSD). Here’s the step-by-step process.

📖 Full guide: Salary Not Paid? How to File a Complaint

Job Transfer Without Consent

Under the Labor Reform Initiative (LRI), you can now transfer your sponsorship to a new employer without your current employer’s consent in many situations. The Qiwa platform handles the process, and there are specific rules about the 40% Indian worker cap and Nitaqat categories.

📖 Full guide: Job Transfer Without Employer Consent — LRI Guide

Working Hours, Leave & Notice Period

Know your rights: maximum 8 hours/day, 48 hours/week, 30-minute break after 5 hours. Annual leave (21 or 30 days depending on tenure), sick leave (30 days full pay + 60 days at 75%), Hajj leave, maternity leave, and the notice period rules that protect you.

📖 Full guide: Working Hours, Leave & Notice Period — Complete Guide

Qiwa Platform — Your Employment Hub

Qiwa (qiwa.sa) is Saudi Arabia’s digital employment platform. It manages work contracts, salary protection, and employment verification. Every expat worker’s details are registered here.

What Qiwa does:

• Stores your employment contract
• Tracks salary payments (WPS)
• Manages contract renewals
• Handles sponsorship transfers
• Provides employment certificates

Download Qiwa Contract

You can view and download your employment contract from Qiwa — useful for verifying your salary, benefits, and contract terms.

📖 Full guide: How to View and Download Qiwa Contract

Terminate Qiwa Contract

If you need to leave your job, there’s a specific process for terminating your Qiwa contract — whether you’re resigning, completing your contract, or transferring sponsorship.

📖 Full guide: Terminate Qiwa Contract Without a Notice Period

GOSI Registration & Experience Certificate

GOSI (General Organization for Social Insurance) is Saudi Arabia’s social security system. As an expat, you’re enrolled in GOSI, and you can get an experience certificate from them when you leave.

📖 Full guide: GOSI Registration, Appointment, Experience Certificate Online

Sick Leave + Annual Leave

Under Saudi labor law, you’re entitled to specific leave types. Can you combine sick leave with annual leave? Here’s what the law says.

📖 Full guide: Saudi Labor Law: Can I Combine Sick Leave with Annual Leave?

Saudization Rules 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Saudization (Nitaqat) program requires companies to hire a certain percentage of Saudi nationals. This affects expat workers — especially in sectors like procurement, retail, and IT.

Recent changes:

• 70% Saudization in procurement jobs (2026)
• Indian worker cap at 40% in some sectors
• Sun exposure ban for 3 months (labor protection)

📖 Full guides:

• Saudi Arabia Enforces 70% Saudization in Procurement Jobs
• Number of Indian Workers Limited to 40%
• Saudi Arabia Bans Working Under Direct Sun

🔗 Related Guides

• Iqama & Residency — Complete Guide
• Absher & Digital Services Guide
• Banking & Money — Indian Expat Guide
• Driving & Traffic — Complete Guide

Last updated: June 2026. Labor laws change — always verify with the Ministry of Human Resources (hrsd.gov.sa).