Saudi Arabia Announces New Final Exit Rules for Domestic Workers

Saudi Arabia has unveiled new regulations permitting employers to issue final exit visas for domestic workers during the 90-day probationary period, even if the workers have not yet obtained residency permits. The General Directorate of Passports announced this service will be accessible electronically via the Absher platform, enabling eligible domestic workers to complete the final exit procedures while still on probation.

To be eligible, the worker must be present in Saudi Arabia when the visa is granted, must not be registered as deceased or absent from work, must not have any outstanding traffic violations, and must possess a passport valid for at least 60 days. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development stipulates that both employers and domestic workers must sign a written employment contract, which may include a probationary period lasting up to 90 days.

During this probationary period, employers and domestic workers have the right to terminate the contract unilaterally. A domestic worker cannot be placed on probation multiple times with the same employer unless both parties agree to assign the worker to a different position from the one covered by the initial probation period.