Last updated: 28 October 2026
Under Saudi labor law, resignation follows a fixed timeline. You resign in writing, usually through Qiwa. Your employer then has 30 days to reply, can postpone acceptance by up to 60 days with written reasons, and you can withdraw within 7 days if it has not been accepted yet. These rules come from Article 79 bis, added by the Labor Law amendments in force since 19 February 2025.
Still on probation? Different rules apply: either side can end the contract without notice, but no end-of-service award is due. See our probation period guide.
Saudi Labor Law Resignation Rules at a Glance
| Step | Rule | Article |
|---|---|---|
| Submitting | In writing, voluntary, without conditions and without a future effective date | 2 and 79 bis |
| Changing your mind | Withdraw within 7 days, unless the employer has already accepted | 79 bis |
| Employer reply | 30 days; no reply means the resignation is accepted | 79 bis |
| Postponement | Up to 60 days, with written reasons given before day 30 | 79 bis |
| Notice (indefinite contract, monthly wage) | Employee at least 30 days, employer at least 60 days | 75 |
| Final pay after resigning | Within 2 weeks of the contract ending | 88 |
| End-of-service award | None under 2 years, one third at 2 to 5, two thirds at 5 to 10, full at 10+ | 85 |
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How Does Resignation Work in Saudi Arabia?
The Labor Law defines resignation as the worker stating in writing, without coercion, the wish to end a fixed-term employment contract. Article 74 lists resignation as one of the ways a contract ends.
Open-ended (indefinite) contracts are ended with written notice under Article 75 instead; the notice periods are explained further down. Either way, submit your resignation formally and keep proof of the date you submitted it.
How to Submit Your Resignation on Qiwa
The Ministry of Human Resources (HRSD) runs an online service, Termination of Contractual Relationship, that lets an employee end the contract on Qiwa without visiting the employer. It is free, needs no documents, and works when your contract is registered on Qiwa and no other termination request for it is pending.
- Log in to Qiwa Individuals.
- Open Services, then Employment Contracts.
- Find your current contract and start its termination.
- Choose the reason for ending the contract.
- Enter your last working date.
- Review the details and submit the request.
Take a screenshot of the submitted request and also give HR a signed letter or email, so the submission date is beyond doubt. For problems with the service, call HRSD on 19911.
Can an Employer Reject Your Resignation?
Not indefinitely. The law gives the employer two options: accept the resignation, or postpone acceptance for a limited time. It does not let an employer hold a resignation open for as long as it likes.
Under Article 79 bis, if the employer does not respond within 30 days of submission, the resignation is considered accepted. So if you resign and receive neither an acceptance nor a valid written postponement during the next 30 days, the resignation stands without any further approval.
Can an Employer Delay a Resignation?
Yes. The employer can postpone acceptance when the interests of the work require it, for a maximum of 60 days.
The employer must give you a written explanation for the postponement before the first 30 days run out. The 60 days are counted from the date you receive that explanation.
Ignoring the resignation, or telling you verbally that you cannot resign, is not the same as following this procedure.
When Does the Employment Contract End After Resignation?
Submitting the resignation does not end the contract the same day. Under Article 79 bis, the contract ends when:
- The employer accepts the resignation.
- 30 days pass after submission without a response from the employer.
- The employer has validly postponed acceptance and that postponement period ends.
Until then, the employment contract continues to operate.
Should You Continue Working After Submitting Your Resignation?
Yes. The contract stays valid while the resignation request is pending, so both you and the employer must keep to your obligations. Submitting a resignation is not permission to stop coming to work.
Leaving early can turn a clean resignation into an absence dispute. If an employer does report a worker as absent, our huroob guide explains what that means and what to do.
Can an Employee Cancel a Resignation?
Yes, within a short window. You may withdraw the resignation within 7 days from the date it was submitted, as long as the employer has not already accepted it.
If the employer accepts before you withdraw, this right no longer applies, so act quickly if you change your mind.
Can You Choose a Future Resignation Date?
No. Article 79 bis says the resignation request should not name a deferred date. The end date follows the process in the Saudi Labor Law: acceptance, the 30-day period, or a valid postponement period.
Notice Period for Resignation in Saudi Arabia
For an indefinite contract with a monthly wage, Article 75 lets either side end the contract for a legitimate reason with written notice:
- If you end the contract: at least 30 days of written notice.
- If the employer ends the contract: at least 60 days of written notice.
- For workers not paid monthly: at least 30 days of written notice.
Under Article 76, unless a higher amount was agreed, the side that does not respect the notice period may have to compensate the other for the notice period that was not observed.
For a fixed-term contract, the resignation timeline in Article 79 bis applies instead (30 days for a reply, up to 60 more days if postponed).
End-of-Service Benefits After Resignation
Resigning does not automatically mean losing your end-of-service award. The amount depends on how long you have worked continuously for the employer. Under Article 85:
| Length of Continuous Service | Resignation-Based EOSB |
|---|---|
| Less than 2 years | No entitlement under the Article 85 resignation calculation |
| 2 to 5 years | One-third of the award |
| More than 5 but less than 10 years | Two-thirds of the award |
| 10 years or more | Full award |
The full award itself is calculated under Article 84: half a month’s wage for each of the first five years and one month’s wage for each year after that, based on the last wage, with fractions of a year counted proportionally. Enter your wage, service and reason for leaving in our end of service calculator to see the amount.
How Soon Must Final Salary and Dues Be Paid?
Under Article 88, when the employee ends the contract, the employer must settle the employee’s entitlements within two weeks at most. The employer may deduct legitimate work-related amounts the employee owes.
Check the final settlement carefully: outstanding salary, unused leave and any end-of-service award. If the money does not arrive, our guide on an employer not paying salary explains how to complain.
Can an Employee Leave Without Notice?
In some cases, yes. Article 81 lets an employee leave without notice and keep their rights where the employer:
- Fails to meet essential contractual or legal obligations toward the employee.
- Misleads the employee about important employment terms or working conditions.
- Assigns substantially different work contrary to the legal requirements.
- Subjects the worker to violence, abuse, injustice or humiliating treatment.
- Fails to address a serious workplace danger despite being aware of it.
- Acts in a way that effectively forces the employee to appear to have ended the contract voluntarily.
These cases are different from an ordinary resignation, so check which provision fits your situation before you leave.
After You Resign: Iqama, New Job or Final Exit
What comes next depends on whether you are staying in Saudi Arabia:
- Moving to a new employer: the new company raises the transfer request on Qiwa. You can follow it with our iqama transfer status guide.
- Leaving the Kingdom: your employer issues the final exit visa. See our final exit visa guide for the steps, fees and how to check it.
What Should You Do When Submitting a Resignation?
- Submit it on Qiwa and keep a screenshot of the request.
- Give HR a signed copy or email as well, and keep proof of the date.
- Keep any written reply, especially a postponement letter, because the deadlines run from specific dates.
- Keep working normally until the contract has legally ended.
- Check your final settlement within two weeks of the end date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my employer reject my resignation in Saudi Arabia?
Not indefinitely. Under Article 79 bis of the Labor Law the employer has 30 days to reply. It can accept the resignation, or postpone acceptance for up to 60 days by giving you written reasons before the 30 days end. If it does neither, the resignation counts as accepted once 30 days have passed.
What is the notice period for resignation in Saudi Arabia?
For an indefinite contract with a monthly wage, the employee must give at least 30 days of written notice and the employer at least 60 days (Article 75). For a fixed-term contract, the Article 79 bis timeline applies instead: up to 30 days for the employer to reply, which it can extend by up to 60 days with written reasons.
Do I need a valid reason to resign in Saudi Arabia?
For an indefinite contract, Article 75 lets either side end it for a legitimate reason with written notice. A resignation from a fixed-term contract only has to be written, voluntary and without conditions. If you are leaving because the employer broke the law or your contract, Article 81 may let you leave without notice and keep your rights.
Can I withdraw my resignation?
Yes, within 7 days of submitting it, as long as the employer has not already accepted it. After acceptance, or after the 7 days, this right no longer applies.
Do I get end of service benefits if I resign?
It depends on your continuous service. Under Article 85 you get nothing for less than 2 years, one third of the award for 2 to 5 years, two thirds for 5 to 10 years, and the full award after 10 years or more.
How do I resign on Qiwa?
Log in to Qiwa Individuals, open Services, then Employment Contracts, pick your contract and start its termination. Choose the reason, enter your last working date, review and submit. The service is free and needs no documents.
Final Words
A resignation in Saudi Arabia cannot be left unanswered. If the employer does not respond within 30 days, it is accepted; the employer can postpone for up to 60 days only with written reasons given in the first 30 days; and you can withdraw within 7 days if it has not been accepted.
Your contract type, notice period, length of service and reason for leaving all affect your rights, so read your contract alongside the Labor Law before you resign.
This article is for general information and is not individual legal advice.