Qiwa Platform

Qiwa Platform: The Practical Guide for Business Owners 2026

Qiwa (qiwa.sa) is the official digital portal of the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD). All private-sector labor services in Saudi Arabia are managed through this platform. This guide covers Qiwa services, fees, subscription costs, and payment methods with actual 2026 figures.

Overview

Qiwa is an electronic platform launched by MHRSD to unify Saudi labor market services in one place. The platform serves two main user types, each logged in through the National Single Sign-On (Absher account):

•       Qiwa Business: For establishment owners and authorized representatives — managing employees, work permits, visas, sponsorship transfers, contract documentation, and Nitaqat tracking.

•       Qiwa Individuals: For employees and residents working in the private sector — approving contracts, filing complaints, viewing career history, and requesting service transfers.

Official link: qiwa.sa | Unified contact number: 920000105

Key Services

1. Employment Contract Documentation

Documenting employment contracts through Qiwa is mandatory for all private-sector establishments. The employer enters contract details (salary, position, duration, leave entitlements), and the contract is sent to the employee via Qiwa Individuals for approval or rejection. Failure to document the contract gives the employee the right to transfer services without the employer's consent under the Labor Relations Improvement Initiative.

2. Work Permit Issuance and Renewal

A work permit is a prerequisite for renewing a foreign worker's residency (iqama) and must be renewed annually through Qiwa. The establishment can select the permit duration at issuance: 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, or one full year. Fee details are listed in the Fees section below.

3. Service Transfer (Sponsorship Transfer)

The service transfer feature allows a foreign worker to move electronically from one establishment to another. The service typically requires the current employer's approval, but under the Labor Relations Improvement Initiative, the worker may transfer without consent in specific cases: undocumented contract, salary delayed for 3 months, expired residency without renewal, or employer absent from government systems.

4. New Visa Issuance

Establishments compliant with Nitaqat can issue immediate professional visas for foreign workers through Qiwa without visiting labor offices. Payment for new visa fees is not made via a biller code — it is processed through Government Payments using the establishment's commercial registration number (starting with 70) directly from the bank app.

5. Occupation Change

Establishments can submit a request to change a resident employee's occupation through Qiwa without visiting government offices. Payment for occupation change fees is processed through Government Payments in the banking app using the establishment's commercial registration number (starting with 70), not through a separate biller code.

6. Nitaqat and Saudization Tracking

Qiwa displays each establishment's Nitaqat status in distinct color bands: Platinum, High Green, Medium Green, Low Green, Yellow, and Red. The band determines the establishment's authority to issue visas and transfer sponsorships, and is based on the ratio of Saudi to total workforce according to activity type and size.

7. Work Regulations Approval

Establishments can submit internal work organization regulations for ministry approval electronically through Qiwa. This is a regulatory requirement for establishments exceeding a specific employee threshold.

8. Instant Payment Number Cancellation (New Service)

MHRSD recently launched an instant payment number cancellation service for work permits through Qiwa, eliminating the need to visit labor offices. This service is useful when an establishment needs to modify a request or reissue it.

Qiwa Platform Detailed Fees 2026

Qiwa fees fall into two categories: platform subscription fees, and government service fees paid through the platform. The tables below show each fee separately along with the correct payment method.

A) Qiwa Platform Subscription Fees (Annual)

Qiwa Subscription Payment Information

• Biller code for Qiwa subscription payment: 368 (Biller name: QIWA).

• Payment is made through the bank app or ATM using biller code 368 and the invoice number shown in the establishment account.

• Subscription is annual and non-refundable upon cancellation.

• Subscription is linked to the authorized representative and is not transferable when the representative changes.

• Fees are subject to 15% VAT, which is automatically calculated in the invoice before payment.

B) Work Permit and Financial Compensation Fees

Work permits are issued and renewed for each foreign worker through Qiwa. Total fees consist of two components: an administrative fee for permit issuance/renewal, and a monthly financial compensation when foreign workers exceed the number of Saudi employees in the establishment.

Work Permit Payment Notes

• Government services (financial compensation and work permit fees) are NOT subject to VAT.

• The payment code for work permit service is the MHRSD payment code (appears automatically in the Qiwa invoice upon request issuance).

• Payment number validity is 14 days only from issuance; after this, it is automatically cancelled and the service must be re-requested.

• Service usage conditions: the worker's contract must be documented in Qiwa, and the worker must be active (no absence report filed).

C) Government Support for Small Saudi Establishments

The Ministry of Human Resources provides support to small Saudi-owned establishments to ease the burden of foreign labor fees:

•       First foreign worker support: permit renewal at SAR 100 only instead of SAR 9,700 (full exemption from financial compensation for the first worker).

•       Certain Saudi establishments: the support extends to cover the first two workers; each worker's permit is renewed at SAR 100 only instead of SAR 9,700.

•       Eligibility conditions and support limits are determined by the Nitaqat system, establishment size, and whether the owner is a Saudi national fully dedicated to the business. Verify your establishment's actual eligibility status directly on Qiwa.

D) Other Service Fees

Note on authorization delegation: The SAR 316.25 price was originally announced as part of an initiative to encourage establishment enrollment (a 15% discount). Verify the current price directly on Qiwa before payment, as rates may vary by period.

How It Works

1. Registration and Account Activation

Go to qiwa.sa, select "Login," then "National Single Sign-On" using the owner's or representative's Absher account. Navigate to "Establishment Accounts" and add the establishment using its Unified Number (starts with 700). Pay the annual subscription fee via biller code 368 from your banking app to activate the account immediately.

2. Employee and Contract Management

After activation, document new employee contracts within two weeks of work commencement. Issue or renew work permits for foreign workers through the "Work Permits" service and select the permit duration (3/6/9 months or one year), then settle the invoice via the MHRSD payment code within 14 days.

3. Integration and Ongoing Compliance

Monitor your establishment's Nitaqat status from the dashboard and maintain the required Saudization rate for your activity. Upload monthly payroll files through the Mudad platform (Qiwa's payroll partner) under the Wage Protection System. Track your visa issuance and residency renewal privileges based on your Nitaqat color.

When You Need This Platform

Qiwa subscription is mandatory for all private-sector establishments in Saudi Arabia. Actual service needs typically arise in these situations:

•       Hiring a new employee (Saudi or foreign) whose contract must be documented within two weeks.

•       Recruiting new foreign workers via professional visas.

•       Renewing a foreign worker's permit before residency expiration.

•       Transferring an employee's services from one establishment to another.

•       Changing a resident employee's occupation.

•       Checking the establishment's current Nitaqat status and Saudization requirements.

•       Approving the establishment's internal work organization regulations.

•       Terminating an employee's contract or processing a resignation.

Requirements

•       Valid commercial registration linked to the establishment's Unified Number (starts with 70).

•       Active Absher account for the owner or authorized representative.

•       Mobile number registered in Absher to receive verification codes.

•       Electronic authorization delegation through Qiwa (SAR 316.25) if the registrant is not the establishment owner.

•       Bank card (Mada or Visa) to pay the annual subscription via biller code 368.

•       Employee data consistent with passport and GOSI records.

•       Accounting and banking data ready for Mudad integration under the Wage Protection System.

Qiwa Integration with Other Government Platforms

Qiwa is directly connected to complementary government platforms, with data transferred between them automatically:

•       Mudad: Qiwa's official partner for payroll management and Wage Protection System (WPS). Monthly payroll file uploads via Mudad are mandatory.

•       Muqeem: Foreign worker residency renewal depends on having a valid work permit in Qiwa.

•       GOSI (General Organization for Social Insurance): Employee data transfers between systems automatically upon hiring or termination.

•       Absher: Unified entry point to Qiwa via the National Single Sign-On.

•       Visa Platform (Enjaz): Verification and tracking of work visas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biller code for Qiwa subscription payment?

The biller code for Qiwa subscription payment or renewal is 368 (Biller name: QIWA). Work permit fees and financial compensation are paid through the MHRSD payment code, which appears automatically in the service invoice. New visa fees and occupation change fees are paid through Government Payments using the establishment's commercial registration number (70...) directly from the bank app.

How much is the annual Qiwa platform subscription?

Qiwa subscription starts at SAR 1,265 for establishments without workers, SAR 2,645 for small establishments (1-4 workers), and SAR 7,000 for medium/large establishments (5+ workers). All prices are before 15% VAT.

What is the work permit renewal fee for a foreign worker?

SAR 100 administrative fee for permit renewal + SAR 9,600 annual financial compensation (SAR 800/month) = SAR 9,700 total annually per foreign worker exceeding the number of Saudi employees. Government services are not subject to VAT.

Are there exemptions for Saudi-owned establishments?

Yes. Saudi establishments are exempt from the financial compensation on the first foreign worker, whose permit is renewed at SAR 100 only instead of SAR 9,700. For certain establishments, the exemption extends to cover the first two workers. Eligibility conditions are determined by the Nitaqat system and establishment size.

How long is the payment number valid in Qiwa?

Payment numbers issued from Qiwa are valid for 14 days only from issuance, after which they are automatically cancelled. Establishments can now cancel a payment number instantly through Qiwa without visiting the labor office, thanks to a new service recently launched by the ministry.

What are the work permit duration options?

Establishments can select the work permit duration at issuance from four options: 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, or one full year. Fees vary based on the selected duration, and financial compensation is calculated monthly for the chosen period only.

Can an employee's services be transferred without the employer's consent?

Yes, in specific cases under the Labor Relations Improvement Initiative: undocumented employment contract within the legal period, salary delayed for 3 consecutive months, expired residency without renewal, or employer absent from government systems. Otherwise, the current employer's consent is required.

What are the conditions for using Qiwa services for an employee?

An electronically documented employment contract in Qiwa must exist, and the employee must be active (no absence or absconding report filed). Without these two conditions, work permits cannot be issued or renewed, and no related services can be performed.

Is the Qiwa subscription fee refundable upon cancellation?

No, the annual subscription fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, even upon cancellation or representative change. The subscription is tied to the authorized representative, and upon their resignation or replacement, a new subscription must be registered.

What happens if Qiwa subscription fees are not paid?

When the subscription expires without renewal, all MHRSD services for the establishment are immediately suspended. The establishment cannot issue visas, renew work permits, transfer sponsorships, or document contracts. The solution: renew the subscription immediately via biller code 368 to restore services instantly.

When Do You Need Specialized Help Managing Qiwa?

Day-to-day Qiwa management for an establishment with a large workforce consumes significant time and effort. Small mistakes (delayed contract documentation, missed permit renewal deadlines, Saudization ratio issues) turn into penalties and service suspensions.

Establishments commonly face recurring challenges in:

•       Tracking work permit renewal dates to avoid penalties.

•       Maintaining a Green Nitaqat band to secure visa issuance privileges.

•       Documenting contracts within the legal timeframe.

•       Handling employee complaints and violations.

•       Correctly integrating Qiwa with Mudad, Muqeem, and GOSI.

Book a Free Consultation with the Motaded Team

Motaded Limited provides complete Qiwa platform management services for business owners in Saudi Arabia, including registration, activation, contract documentation, work permit management, Nitaqat tracking, and violation resolution. Reach out at info@motaded.com.sa or book a meeting to learn how we can