Most of AKFAL's skilled workers are already in the Kingdom when they join. The transfer is a government process through the Qiwa platform, AKFAL pays its fees, and the applicant's job is to have the right documents and a clear situation with the current employer.
The transfer through Qiwa
Under the current labour rules a worker can transfer to a new employer through Qiwa when the contract with the current employer has ended, when the current employer agrees, or under the conditions the Ministry allows without consent. AKFAL submits the request; the current employer responds on the platform; the Ministry approves; the Iqama is re-issued under AKFAL.
- Iqama valid, or renewable by the current employer
- Profession on the Iqama suitable for the job, or changeable
- No unresolved absence report (huroob) or labour case
- Current contract ended, or employer consent, or an allowed exception
Short assignments through Ajeer
For a shutdown of a few weeks, a worker can be seconded to AKFAL through the Ajeer service without transferring sponsorship: the current employer issues an Ajeer notice, the worker works for AKFAL for the period, and returns. This is how many shutdown crews are built quickly.
What the worker pays
Nothing. Transfer fees, Iqama issuance and work-permit fees are the employer's cost by law, and AKFAL does not charge applicants any recruitment fee at any stage. Anyone asking you for money in AKFAL's name is not AKFAL.
How long it takes
A consented transfer with a valid Iqama is typically completed within one to three weeks. An expired Iqama, a profession change or a pending case adds time. Recruitment from abroad through a licensed agency takes longer — usually two to three months from offer to arrival.
Tell us your situation exactly
The application form asks whether your Iqama is valid, the profession on it, and how many times it has been transferred. Answer precisely: it lets us tell you within days whether a transfer is straightforward, needs an Ajeer arrangement, or has to wait.