House Drivers In Saudi Arabia Can Change Their Iqama Profession: Guide To everything

House Drivers In Saudi Arabia Can Change Their Iqama Profession. In Saudi Arabia, the Iqama (residency permit) plays a crucial role in regulating the employment of expatriates. Recently, there have been significant updates regarding profession changes for domestic workers, especially house drivers. If you are a house driver in Saudi Arabia considering a career change, understanding the process of changing your Iqama profession is essential.

This detailed guide will walk you through everything you need to know including the procedures, new regulations, eligibility, and important tips for a smooth transition.

The straightforward answer is yes. House drivers in Saudi Arabia can change their Iqama profession under specific circumstances. However, the process depends on your type of employment and your sponsor (kafeel). Whether you are working with an individual or a business establishment will influence the ease and method of profession change.

The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has introduced several reforms to facilitate profession changes, especially for domestic workers who meet certain conditions.

Understanding your employment setup is critical before starting the Iqama profession change process. Let’s explore the different possibilities:

1. From Company Driver To Another Profession

If you are employed by a registered company and your Iqama profession is listed as a “Company Driver,” the process of profession change is relatively straightforward. You can switch to other available professions such as laborer, technician, or administrative roles.

Steps to Change Profession:

• Obtain your employer’s approval.
• Submit the required documents through the Qiwa portal.
• Pay the applicable fees.
• Update your Iqama through the Absher platform after approval.

Ensure your new profession matches your qualifications and that the new employer is compliant with Saudiization (Nitaqat) requirements.

2. From House Driver to Another Domestic Worker Role

If you are a house driver sponsored by an individual, you can shift your profession to other domestic roles like:

• House Cleaner (عامل منزلية)
• Private Security Guard
• Private Cook

Conditions:

• Consent from your current sponsor (kafeel) is mandatory.
• Profession change must align with domestic worker professions approved by the MHRSD.
• The process is handled via Absher and Musaned platforms.

3. From House Driver to Company Driver or Labor

Switching from a house driver employed by an individual to a business or company establishment is more complicated.

Challenges:

• Domestic workers are usually tied to personal sponsors, and moving them to corporate sponsorship requires special permissions.
• Regulations are strict to prevent illegal labor movement.

Is it Possible?

• Yes, but generally only through transfer of sponsorship under exceptional cases like unpaid salaries or mistreatment (explained below).

The Saudi government has recently updated regulations to make the transfer of domestic worker sponsorship more transparent and employee-friendly.

New Rule	Description
Wage Delay	Workers can transfer without sponsor’s consent if salary is delayed for three months or more.
Abuse or Mistreatment	If the worker faces abuse from the employer or family members, transfer is allowed.
Absence of Employer	If the employer does not collect the worker from the shelter within 15 days.
End of Probation	If the worker is terminated during the probation period, they can change professions freely.

These amendments aim to improve the working conditions of expatriates and offer them better mobility options in the Saudi labor market.

Transferring a domestic worker to a business entity involves a multi-step process:

• Steps 1: Meet Transfer Conditions: Ensure the worker meets the eligibility criteria under the updated transfer regulations.
• Steps 2: Apply through Qiwa Portal: The new employer must submit a transfer request via the Qiwa system.
• Steps 3: Approval and Fees: Upon approval, the employer must pay transfer fees.
• Steps 4: Update Iqama Profession: Once the transfer is complete, update the profession accordingly.

Without fulfilling conditions (like abuse or wage delays), transferring from a domestic to a corporate Iqama is generally restricted.

Yes, you can but you must follow the official procedures outlined by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The key is to secure your sponsor’s consent (for domestic-to-domestic transfers) or fulfill eligibility criteria (for domestic-to-company transfers). Always remember:

• Update your profession officially in government records.
• Ensure your employment contract reflects your new role.
• Use authorized government platforms like Absher and Qiwa for all updates.

The salary of a house driver in Saudi Arabia varies depending on experience, the city of employment, and the employer’s offer.

Factor	Salary Range (SAR)
Fresh Driver	1,200 – 1,500 SAR/month
Experienced Driver	1,500 – 2,000 SAR/month
Premium Private Drivers	2,000 – 2,500+ SAR/month

Changing your profession from a house driver to another role in Saudi Arabia is certainly possible — but it requires careful planning, understanding of the updated rules, and following the proper legal channels.
With the new rules for Iqama transfer in Saudi Arabia and better labor rights protection, house drivers have more opportunities today than ever before.

Stay informed, work closely with your sponsor, and make sure all changes are recorded officially to avoid any future legal issues. If you’re considering changing your Iqama profession, now is a great time to take advantage of the reforms and shape a better future for yourself in Saudi Arabia.