Domestic Workers Can Now Transfer Sponsorship to Establishments

Domestic laborers are now allowed to transfer their sponsorship from individual sponsors to establishments, local media reported citing the Ministry of Labor and Social Development sources.

However, there will be some conditions for the sponsorship transfer of domestic workers,

• The domestic worker’s Iqama should not be renewed for more than one year.
• If the Iqama is renewed for more than a year, the transfer request will not be accepted as the domestic worker is exempted from the expatriate fee.
• Sponsorship transfers of domestic workers from establishments to individual sponsors will not be allowed.

The worker shall not start working under the new employer before the completion of the transfer process and change of profession.

Requirements for Transfer of Service

Workers consent letter with name, iqama number, signature and thumb impression, translation of the declaration for non-Arabic speakers, along with writing the name of the establishment, Ministry of Labor file number, the name and signature of the official, and the establishment’s seal.

A letter from the current employer permitting the transfer of sponsorship duly attested by the chamber of commerce or the district chief or certified with the approval of the Labor Office.

A letter from the establishment requesting the transfer of the service of the worker, duly attested by the chamber. There is also a condition that the transfer of the sponsorship does not cause the status of the establishment from the medium green category.