Can I resign during probation in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Either side may end the contract during probation (Art. 53). Neither side owes compensation, and no end of service award is due (Art. 54).
Checked 21 October 2026
Get your datesEvery deadline as a date, from your last working day.
What to do now
- Ask HR for your exact probation end date, with the days that do not count.
- Check your contract for a probation notice, then fill in the Saudi resignation letter.
- Build your leaving plan for the dates that follow.
See an example plan
What to ask HR
- On what date does my probation end?
- Does my contract ask for notice during probation?
- Which of my days off do not count towards probation?
How long probation lasts
The longest probation allowed is 180 days in total (Art. 53).
Keep a copy of your contract's probation clause and note your exact start date.
Some days do not count towards it. HRSD's guide lists the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays, National Day, Founding Day and sick leave.
So your probation may end later than 180 calendar days after you started. Ask HR for your exact end date.
Ending it
Both sides have the right to end the contract during probation (Art. 53).
Check your contract for any notice it asks for. Then give your resignation in writing, with no conditions (Art. 2).
Your employer can also dismiss you during probation without an award or notice (Art. 80).
What you are owed
Neither side owes the other compensation when the contract ends in probation (Art. 54).
No end of service award is due either (Art. 54).
Ask for your last wages in writing. When you end the contract, your employer has two weeks to settle what is due (Art. 88).
Just after probation
Once probation is over, the normal rules apply. You give 30 days' notice in writing (Art. 75).
Under Article 85, a resignation under 2 years keeps no end of service award. From 2 years it keeps one third.
Moving to a new job
Agree the move with your new employer before you resign. Ask them and HRSD how the transfer works for you, and in what order.
If you are leaving Saudi Arabia instead, your employer issues a final exit visa. Use it within two months of the day it is issued (Absher).
SANED covers Saudi nationals only, and does not pay after a resignation (SANED Law, Arts. 3 and 8).
If something goes wrong
File for friendly settlement through HRSD's Wedi service. It is free, and claims close 12 months after the job ends (Art. 234).