Starting a job in Saudi Arabia: what to check before you sign
- Check your contract type, the probation period and how your wage is split.
- Probation can last up to 180 days in total (Art. 53).
- A contract ended within probation pays no end of service award (Art. 54).
- Past probation, the award is worked out on your last wage for each year of service (Art. 84).
Get your datesFor when this job ends: every deadline as a date.
Checked 21 October 2026
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Fixed-term or open-ended
Your contract is either for a fixed term or open-ended. It matters most if your employer ends it without a valid reason (Art. 77).
- Open-ended: 15 days' wage for each year of service.
- Fixed-term: your wage for the rest of the term.
- Either way, at least 2 months' wage.
The notice periods in Article 75 are for open-ended contracts. On a fixed-term contract, check what yours says about ending early.
Probation
Probation can last up to 180 days in total (Art. 53). Either side can end the contract during it.
The Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, National Day and Founding Day holidays do not count towards it. Nor does sick leave (HRSD).
If the contract ends in probation, neither side owes compensation and no end of service award is due (Art. 54).
Check your contract for any notice during probation. More on Saudi probation.
The notice you will owe later
On an open-ended contract with a monthly wage, you give at least 30 days' written notice. Your employer gives at least 60 (Art. 75).
If you are not paid monthly, it is 30 days for either side.
Skipping the notice means paying the other side the wage for the notice period (Art. 76).
The law also sets how a resignation is handled. It counts as accepted if your employer has not answered within 30 days. Your employer can put it off by up to 60 days, in writing, for work reasons (Art. 79 bis). Ask HR how this applies to your contract type.
What you build up: end of service award
Your award is worked out on your last wage (Art. 84). Ask HR which allowances count in it.
- Half a month's wage for each of your first 5 years.
- A month's wage for each year after that.
- Part years count in proportion.
See the numbers
| Year | Adds | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | SAR 5,000 | SAR 5,000 |
| 2 | SAR 5,000 | SAR 10,000 |
| 3 | SAR 5,000 | SAR 15,000 |
| 4 | SAR 5,000 | SAR 20,000 |
| 5 | SAR 5,000 | SAR 25,000 |
| 6 | SAR 10,000 | SAR 35,000 |
| 7 | SAR 10,000 | SAR 45,000 |
If you resign, the award is cut (Art. 85). You get nothing under 2 years and a third from 2 to 5 years. Over 5 and under 10 years you get two thirds, and from 10 all of it.
SANED
SANED, Saudi unemployment insurance, covers Saudi nationals only (SANED Law, Art. 3). Expats are not covered.
For Saudi workers it is compulsory. GOSI says the worker and the employer each pay 0.75% of the wage that contributions are based on.
A first claim later needs at least 12 months of work in the 36 months before it (Art. 14).
Check your contract
- Contract type: fixed-term, with its end date, or open-ended.
- Probation: its length, up to 180 days in total.
- Any notice either side gives to end the contract in probation.
- Your wage and each allowance, listed separately.
- Notice after probation: at least 30 days from you, 60 from your employer, if paid monthly.
Questions
- How long is probation in Saudi Arabia?
- Up to 180 days in total. Some holidays and sick leave do not count towards it (Art. 53).
- Do I get end of service if my job ends in probation?
- No. A contract that ends in probation pays no end of service award (Art. 54).
- Can expats join SANED?
- No. SANED covers Saudi nationals only (SANED Law, Art. 3).