Working Hours, Annual Leave & Notice Period in Saudi Arabia: Complete Guide

Every Indian worker in Saudi Arabia needs to know their basic rights — how many hours they can be made to work, how much leave they’re entitled to, and what happens when they resign or their contract ends. These rules are set by Saudi Labor Law, and your employer cannot take them away.

This guide covers Articles 98-118 of Saudi Labor Law — your working hours, all types of leave, and the notice period rules.

Working Hours — The Basics

Standard Working Hours

Key Rules:

1. No worker can work more than 5 hours without a break (Article 101)
2. Maximum 12 hours work in a day — this includes overtime (Article 98)
3. Friday is the weekly rest day — but some companies rotate to Saturday
4. Ramadan reduction applies only to Muslim workers
5. Overtime beyond 8 hours/day or 48 hours/week must be paid at 150% (Article 107)

Important for Indians: If your employer forces you to work 14-16 hours daily without overtime pay, that’s a violation. File a complaint with HRSD at 19911.

Types of Leave — Your Entitlements

1. Annual Leave (Article 109)

Key rules:

• Leave is after 1 year of service (not from day 1)
• Employer decides when you take leave (but must grant it)
• Leave can be carried over to the next year (employer’s discretion)
• Unused leave can be encashed when you leave the job
• Employer must pay salary in advance before you go on leave

Can your employer refuse leave? The employer decides the timing, but they cannot refuse to grant leave entirely. If you’ve completed a year, you’re entitled to your days.

2. Sick Leave (Article 117)

Total: 120 days per year (30 + 60 + 30)

Rules:

• Requires medical certificate from an approved doctor
• Sick leave is per year of service
• Employer cannot terminate you during sick leave (except under specific conditions)
• You can combine sick leave with annual leave

3. Hajj Leave (Article 114)

4. Maternity Leave (Articles 151-152)

5. Paternity Leave (Article 153)

6. Bereavement Leave

7. Public Holidays

Work on public holidays = overtime at 150%.

Notice Period — When You Resign

The notice period depends on your contract type:

What Happens During Notice Period:

1. You must continue working (or the employer can deduct from your salary)
2. You cannot take a new job during the notice period
3. You can take your remaining annual leave during the notice period
4. Employer must pay your full salary during notice

Can You Leave Without Notice?

Yes, under Article 81, you can leave immediately without notice if your employer:

• Hasn’t paid your salary for 2+ months
• Has changed your job title/role without consent
• Has subjected you to abuse or mistreatment
• Has failed to provide contractual obligations

Can the Employer Terminate You Without Notice?

Yes, under Article 80, for serious misconduct:

• Theft or fraud
• Assault on employer or colleagues
• Absenteeism for 20+ consecutive days or 10+ days in one year
• Failure to perform duties
• Working for another employer without permission

What You’re Owed When Leaving

When your employment ends (by resignation, termination, or contract expiry), you’re entitled to:

1. End of Service Benefit (ESB) — calculated based on years of service
2. Unused annual leave encashment — any leave days you didn’t take
3. Unpaid salary — all salary owed to you
4. Return flight ticket — employer must pay for your return to home country
5. End of Service Certificate — proof of employment
6. GOSI Experience Certificate — from the social insurance system

Important: Get everything in writing before you leave. Once you’re out of Saudi Arabia, claiming becomes much harder.

Common Mistakes Indians Make

Mistake 1: Working Without Overtime Pay

If you work more than 8 hours, you must get 150% overtime. Many employers just pay regular salary.

Mistake 2: Not Taking Annual Leave

Annual leave is your right. If you don’t take it, you should get it encashed when you leave. But many workers don’t know this.

Mistake 3: Not Getting Medical Certificates for Sick Leave

Without a medical certificate, your employer can treat sick leave as unauthorized absence. Always get a doctor’s note.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Notice Period

Leaving without serving notice can result in salary deductions. Always serve your notice or negotiate with your employer.

Mistake 5: Not Getting End of Service Documents

You need the End of Service Certificate and GOSI Experience Certificate for future jobs and visa applications.

Related Articles

• ESB (End of Service Benefit) Calculation Guide — Your gratuity rights
• Overtime Pay Rules in Saudi Arabia — How to claim overtime
• Terminate Qiwa Contract Without Notice Period — When you can leave immediately
• Sick Leave + Annual Leave — Combining leave types
• Jobs & Employment Guide — Complete employment guide

FAQ

How many annual leave days do I get? 21 days after 1 year of service. 30 days after 5 continuous years.

Can my employer refuse my leave request? The employer decides the timing, but they cannot refuse to grant leave entirely. You’re entitled to your days after completing 1 year.

What if I don’t use my annual leave? You can request encashment when you leave the job. Unused leave is paid out based on your last salary.

How many sick leave days do I get? 120 days per year — first 30 at full pay, next 60 at 75% pay, last 30 without pay.

Can I combine sick leave with annual leave? Yes. You can use annual leave during or after sick leave.

What’s the notice period when I resign? 30 days for contracts under 2 years. 60 days for contracts over 2 years or indefinite contracts.

Can my employer deduct salary during notice period? Only if you don’t work during the notice period. If you work, your full salary must be paid.

Do I get a return flight when I leave? Yes. The employer must pay for your return flight to your home country when your employment ends.

What documents should I get before leaving? End of Service Certificate, GOSI Experience Certificate, Qiwa contract printout, and proof of ESB payment.

This article reflects Saudi Labor Law as of June 2026. Rules may change — always verify with the Ministry of Human Resources (hrsd.gov.sa) or call 19911 for the latest information.

Official Sources:

• HRSD — Leave Entitlements
• Saudi Labor Law Full Text
• Embassy of India, Riyadh — Labour Law
• Embassy of India — Labour Law Full Text