Direct Answer / Quick Summary:

The Qiwa status "Approved - Pending Employee Transfer Completion" (تمت الموافقة وبانتظار استكمال نقل الموظف) indicates that your sponsorship transfer has been officially approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), but the administrative transition is not yet legally complete.

The Critical 90-Day Countdown: MHRSD imposes a strict statutory window of exactly 90 calendar days from the approval timestamp for the new hiring employer* to finalize the transaction.

Two Mandatory Steps to Clear the Status:*

1. Pay Jawazat Transfer Fees via SADAD: The new employer must pay the government transfer fee (SAR 2,000 for 1st transfer, SAR 4,000 for 2nd, SAR 6,000 for 3rd+) under MOI Alien Control.

2. Finalize Transfer in Muqeem: The new company's Government Relations Officer (GRO) must log into Muqeem (مقيم) and click Finalize Transfer of Sponsorship.

If Day 90 Expires: If the hiring company fails to finalize the transfer within 90 days, the approval is automatically cancelled by the system*, leaving the expatriate worker in severe regulatory jeopardy.

Deconstructing the Status: What "Approved - Pending Completion" Really Means

When an expatriate worker accepts an employment transfer request on Qiwa Individuals, and either the current employer approves or the statutory notice period expires, the Qiwa system transitions the case to:

Status: Approved — Pending Employee Transfer Completion

At this juncture, a dangerous misconception often occurs: workers and HR generalists assume that because the status contains the word "Approved", the sponsorship has already moved to the new company.

This is factually and legally incorrect.

Step 1Milestone Reached

MHRSD Labor Approval

Qiwa validates transfer conditions, notice expiry, and issues ministerial green light

Step 2Active Countdown

The 90-Day Legal Clock

Sponsoring company enters strict 90-calendar-day window to complete immigration steps

Step 3Prerequisite

SADAD Fee Settlement

New employer pays Jawazat transfer fees (SAR 2,000 / 4,000 / 6,000) via MOI Biller

Step 4100% Finalized

Muqeem Portfolio Execution

GRO executes final electronic transfer; worker moves officially to new CR portfolio

Until Step 4 is executed in Muqeem:

In the Ministry of Interior (Jawazat / Absher) databases, you are still legally registered under your old employer.
Your old employer is still technically responsible for your residency, while your new employer cannot issue medical insurance or work permits.
If your old Iqama expires during this limbo period, daily government delay fines (Gharamat Ta'kheer) begin accruing.

The 90-Day Countdown: Severe Risks of Employer Inaction

MHRSD established the 90-day statutory window under the Labor Reform Initiative to prevent companies from locking workers into perpetual administrative limbo.

What Happens If the 90 Days Expire?

If the 90th day passes without the new employer completing the transfer in Muqeem:

1Automated System Annulment: The Qiwa portal automatically marks the request as Cancelled due to Expiration of Completion Period (ملغي لانتهاء مهلة الاستكمال).
2Reversion of Sponsorship Rights: The legal authority over your labor file reverts to your old employer (if your previous contract has not expired), or you are left without an active sponsor in the national database.
3Loss of Government Fee Funds: In many instances, if SADAD fees were paid near the deadline without final Muqeem execution, refund claims require protracted administrative processing through MOI banking channels.
4Iqama Expiration Crisis: If your Iqama expired while waiting out the 90-day timer, you are suddenly exposed to expired status penalties, bank account freezes, and restricted government services.

The 3-Step Action Playbook to Resolve the Status Immediately

To clear the "Pending Completion" status and finalize the transfer, the hiring company's management must execute these three precise steps:

Statutory Safeguards & Rights Protection

Mandatory protections enforced by MHRSD & Saudi Labor Law

1
Check Remaining Days on QiwaLog into Qiwa Individuals to monitor the exact remaining days (e.g., "Remaining: 42 Days"). Never allow this countdown to drop below 15 days without action.
2
Verify SADAD Payment Under the Correct IqamaEnsure the hiring company has paid the exact Jawazat transfer fee (SAR 2,000 to 6,000) under MOI Alien Control using the worker's correct Iqama number.
3
Demand Muqeem Portal ExecutionThe GRO must log into Muqeem, select "Electronic Transactions -> Transfer of Sponsorship", and click the final confirmation button.
4
Resolve Any Medical Insurance GapsEnsure the hiring company has added the worker to their Cooperative Council for Health Insurance (CCHI) corporate policy.
5
Print the New Physical Muqeem CardOnce Muqeem confirms completion, print the updated residency card displaying the new corporate sponsor's name.

Step 1: Paying the Statutory SADAD Jawazat Fee

Under Article 40, Paragraph 1 of the Saudi Labor Law, the new hiring employer is legally obligated to fund all government transfer fees. Deducting this payment from the employee's earned wages is illegal.

Payment Instructions via Saudi Corporate / Personal Banking:

1Access your online banking portal (SNB AlAhli, Al Rajhi Business, Riyad Bank, Alinma, etc.).
2Go to SADAD / Government Payments (المدفوعات الحكومية).
3Select Biller Category: Alien Control / Jawazat (الجوازات).
4Select Service Type: Transfer of Sponsorship (نقل الخدمات).
5Transaction Type: Payment (دفع).
6Enter the worker's Iqama Number.
7The banking system will automatically display the government fee based on official transfer history:

- 1st Transfer: SAR 2,000

- 2nd Transfer: SAR 4,000

- 3rd or Subsequent Transfer: SAR 6,000

8Execute the payment and save the official SADAD confirmation receipt.

Step 2: Finalizing the Transaction in Muqeem

Payment of the SADAD fee does not automatically complete the transfer; it merely unlocks the gateway in the Ministry of Interior system. The hiring employer’s GRO must perform the final execution:

1Open the official Muqeem portal: https://muqeem.sa.
2Log in using the establishment’s authorized commercial credentials and OTP.
3From the main service navigation, go to Electronic Transactions (المعاملات الإلكترونية).
4Click on Transfer of Sponsorship (نقل الخدمات).
5Locate the employee’s name under the tab: Approved MHRSD Transactions Awaiting Execution.
6Review the worker's details and click Finalize Transfer (إتمام نقل الكفالة).
7The Muqeem system processes the request within 60 seconds, displaying the success notification:

"The sponsorship of [Worker Name] has been successfully transferred to [New Establishment Name]."

Step 3: Printing the Updated Residency Card

1In the same Muqeem session, navigate to Print Resident Card (طباعة بطاقة مقيم).
2Select the delivery option (via Saudi Post SPL courier to the company's National Address or in-person collection at a Jawazat branch).
3The newly issued physical card will now reflect the new company’s commercial name, CR number, and authorized profession.

What to Do If the New Employer Stalls or Refuses to Complete the Transfer

One of the most distressing situations an expatriate worker can face is when a hiring company promises employment, obtains MHRSD transfer approval, and then stalls or ghosts the worker, letting the 90-day timer run down.

If your new employer is delaying completion:

Week 1 to Week 4 (Days 1–30):

Direct Professional Follow-Up: Send formal written communications (email and registered WhatsApp) to the company HR and GRO requesting the specific date for SADAD payment and Muqeem finalization.
Confirm Pre-Requisites: Verify that you have paid all personal traffic fines on Absher and that you have no active Exit Re-entry visas blocking the system.

Week 5 to Week 8 (Days 31–60):

Escalation via MHRSD Unified Customer Care (19911): Contact the Ministry of Human Resources call center (dial 19911) or open a formal ticket on the MHRSD Unified App. Report that the hiring establishment has an approved transfer request but is intentionally stalling administrative completion, jeopardizing your legal status.
The "Notice to Perform" Letter: Issue a formal legal notice stating that failure to finalize the transfer within 14 days will be treated as bad-faith contractual breach, subjecting the company to claims before the Labor Court.

Week 9 to Week 12 (Days 61–90):

Transferring to an Alternative Employer: If the stalling company refuses to act, you do not have to wait for the 90 days to expire! An alternative third employer can submit a new transfer request on Qiwa. Once the new request is submitted and accepted, it supersedes the stagnant request, liberating your labor file before the deadline lapses.

Top 5 Technical Obstacles Preventing Transfer Completion

Technical ObstacleRoot CauseExact Resolution
"Insufficient Funds on Government Account"SADAD fee was paid under the wrong Iqama number or wrong service code.Verify payment was made under "Transfer of Sponsorship" (Service Code 003), not "Work Permit Renewal".
"Worker Has Unpaid Traffic Violations"Worker has personal traffic fines registered on their National ID / Iqama in Absher.Worker must log into their personal bank app and clear all traffic fines immediately.
"Establishment Blocked in Jawazat"The new company has an expired Commercial Registration (CR), expired municipal Balady license, or GOSI compliance hold.Hiring company must renew their commercial licenses to unblock their Muqeem portal.
"Worker Has Active Exit Re-Entry Visa"The previous employer issued a travel visa that has not been cancelled.Cancel the exit re-entry visa via Absher before attempting Muqeem execution.
"Medical Insurance Policy Unlinked"Cooperative Council for Health Insurance (CCHI) policy has not been issued by new company.Hiring company HR must bind the worker to their corporate medical insurance policy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can my old employer stop the transfer once the status is "Approved - Pending Completion"?

No. Once Qiwa displays "Approved - Pending Employee Transfer Completion", the previous employer has zero administrative control over the transaction. They cannot reject, cancel, or intervene in the process.

Who bears the financial cost if the 90-day timer expires without transfer?

If the hiring company allowed the 90-day window to lapse through negligence or bad faith, causing the worker to incur Iqama expiration fines, the worker can file a lawsuit before the Labor Court via Najiz, claiming full financial compensation for damages and unpaid wages.

Can I begin working for the new company while the status is "Pending Completion"?

Under strict regulatory enforcement, a worker should only commence active physical duties once the transfer is finalized in Muqeem and a new work permit is active. However, in practice, many companies initiate orientation and training during the finalization phase, provided SADAD fees have already been remitted.

Does the 90-day window pause during official holidays (Eid / National Day)?

No. The 90-day countdown is calculated strictly in consecutive calendar days, not business days. Official government holidays like Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Saudi National Day do not stop or extend the countdown clock.

What should I do if the new employer tells me they don't have enough quota?

If the hiring company's Nitaqat quota dropped after initial approval, Muqeem will block final execution. The company must either immediately hire additional Saudi nationals to restore their Green band or release your transfer request so you can join another establishment.

Experiencing Complex Transfer Blocks or Stalled Muqeem Executions?

Whether you are a corporation navigating workforce mobility compliance or an expatriate professional trapped in an administrative transfer deadlock, explore our authoritative Qiwa Platform Master Manual or consult our corporate immigration advocates for expert regulatory dispute resolution.