Probation Period in Saudi Arabia 2026: 180-Day Rule, Resignation and Termination

The probation period in Saudi Arabia can last up to 180 days, but only if it is written in your employment contract. During probation either you or your employer can end the contract without notice, and no end-of-service award is due. This guide explains the rules as they stand after the 2025 Labor Law amendments, which took effect on 19 February 2025, and what happens to your pay and your Iqama if you resign or are let go.

How Long Can Probation Last in Saudi Arabia?

Under Article 53 of the Labor Law, as amended in 2025, probation must be written into the contract and cannot exceed 180 days in total. Before the change, the limit was 90 days, extendable in writing to 180; some older websites, and even some official help pages, still show the old rule.

• No probation clause, no probation. If your contract does not mention it, you are not on probation.
• No later extension. The Implementing Regulations allow probation to be split into consecutive periods only if this is written in the contract at signing. An employer cannot add an extension later.
• Days that pause the clock: the two Eid holidays, the National Day and Founding Day holidays, and sick leave are not counted, so your probation ends later by those days.

Can I Be Put on Probation Twice?

Not normally. Article 54 allows only one probation period with the same employer. A second probation is allowed only if both sides agree in writing and either the new role is a different job, or at least 6 months have passed since your earlier employment with that employer ended.

Termination During Probation: What You Are Still Owed

Your employer can end your contract during probation without notice and without giving a reason, and the same right applies to you. Since 2025, a contract can no longer give this right to the employer alone. When the contract ends during probation:

• No end-of-service award and no compensation for either side (Article 54).
• Wages for every day you worked must be paid, within one week if the employer ended the contract (Article 88).
• Pay for unused annual leave is due (Article 111).

If your employer misled you about the job or pay, or has not paid your wages, you also have rights under Article 81. Claims must be filed within 12 months of the end of the job.

Can I Resign During Probation?

Yes. Article 53 lets you end the contract during probation without notice, and on Qiwa a contract ended during probation ends immediately. Put your decision in writing and keep a copy. Two costs to know about:

• Ticket home: if you leave without a legitimate reason, or are found unfit for the work during probation, you pay your own return ticket (Article 40).
• Recruitment fees: recruitment, Iqama and work-permit fees are the employer’s cost under the law. Be careful with any contract clause that asks you to repay them, and get advice before signing.

What Happens to Your Iqama After Probation Ends

• Final exit: employers can issue a final exit for a worker on probation through Absher Business, free of charge, according to Jawazat. Once issued it cannot be cancelled and the Iqama cannot be renewed. See our full guide to the final exit visa.
• Moving to a new employer: when a contract ends, Qiwa gives the worker a 60-day window to transfer to a new employer, leave on final exit or sign a new contract. After that, the worker can be marked as absent from work, so act within the window.

After Probation: Notice and Resignation Rules

Once probation is over, the normal rules apply. Expat contracts must be written and fixed-term (Article 37); if no term is stated, the contract runs for one year from your start date and renews. A resignation under a fixed-term contract is treated as accepted after 30 days if the employer does not reply, and ending a fixed-term contract early without a legitimate reason can mean paying compensation for the rest of the term (at least two months’ wages). Read our full guide to resignation rules in Saudi Arabia, and work out your award with the end of service calculator; your probation months count as service once you pass probation.

Domestic Workers: Different Rules

Domestic workers, such as house drivers and maids, fall under a separate regulation. For them, probation must be agreed in writing, can last up to 90 days, and either side can end the contract during it. A second probation with the same employer is only allowed for a different job.

Frequently Asked Questions