MOL Saudi (HRSD) 2026 | Ministry of Labour Portal Guide

What is MOL KSA (HRSD)?

The Saudi Ministry of Labour, officially renamed the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD/HRSD) in 2019, is the government body responsible for regulating employment in Saudi Arabia. It oversees:

→ Work permit (block visa) issuance and management
→ Labour contract registration and enforcement
→ Saudization (Nitaqat) compliance monitoring
→ Wage Protection System (WPS) compliance
→ Labour dispute resolution and inspection
→ Occupational health and safety regulation

MOL Portal → Now Qiwa

All MOL employer services have been consolidated into the Qiwa platform (qiwa.sa) as part of Vision 2030 digital transformation. If you are looking for the MOL portal, Qiwa is the current destination for all work permit, labour contract, Nitaqat, and employee management services.

Key MOL/HRSD services for employers

Work Permits (Block Visas)

Issue work permits for new foreign employees based on your Nitaqat quota. Processing through Qiwa. Requires GOSI compliance and minimum green Nitaqat band.

SAR 200/permit (green band)

Labour Contract Registration

All employment contracts must be filed on Qiwa within 30 days of start date. Both employer and employee must digitally approve the contract. Unregistered contracts are unenforceable.

Free

Nitaqat / Saudization

Track your Saudization percentage and Nitaqat band in real time. Platinum and green bands unlock all government services; yellow and red bands restrict visa issuance and CR renewals.

Dashboard on Qiwa

Wage Protection System (WPS)

Employers must pay salaries on time via WPS-compliant channels. Late or absent WPS submissions result in Qiwa flags that affect Nitaqat score and can freeze new visa issuance.

Monthly compliance

Employee Transfer (Iqama Transfer)

Employees can self-initiate iqama transfers after 1 year of service via Qiwa. Employers can also initiate transfers. MOL oversees the process and enforces transfer rights.

SAR 0 (self-transfer)

Labour Disputes & Inspections

MOL inspectors can visit establishments to verify Nitaqat compliance, contract registration, and WPS adherence. Dispute resolution is handled through the Ministry of Justice labour courts.

Penalties for violations

How to register on the MOL/HRSD portal (Qiwa)

All MOL employer services are now at qiwa.sa

1

Ensure prerequisites are in place

Before registering on Qiwa, your establishment must have: an active Commercial Registration (CR), an active GOSI employer registration (unified number), and a registered national address. All three are required to activate Qiwa employer services.

2

Log in to Qiwa with Nafath

Access qiwa.sa and log in using Nafath (the Saudi national identity verification system). The Nafath app on your mobile is required for authentication. First-time users who are Saudi nationals or iqama holders can activate Nafath via the app with their National ID/iqama number.

3

Register establishment profile

In Qiwa, navigate to Establishment Services and complete the employer profile. Enter your CR number, unified GOSI number, business activity, and contact details. The system pulls most data automatically from MCI and GOSI records.

4

Assign HR manager / representative

Designate an HR manager with Qiwa access. They will have authority to process work permits, file contracts, and manage employee relations on behalf of the establishment. Multiple users can be granted access at different permission levels.

5

Review Nitaqat band and work permit quota

Once registered, your Nitaqat band and available work permit quota are shown in your Qiwa dashboard. Your band is recalculated in real time based on your Saudi/expatriate employee ratio. Monitor this weekly during hiring ramp-up periods to avoid unexpected drops that would freeze visa processing.

Work permits and MOL fees

Work permit fees in Saudi Arabia are linked to your Nitaqat band. Maintaining green or platinum status significantly reduces the cost of hiring foreign employees.

Nitaqat Band	Work Permit Fee	Visa Issuance	Annual Levy (per expat)
Platinum	SAR 200/year	Unrestricted	SAR 2,400
Green	SAR 200/year	Unrestricted	SAR 2,400
Yellow	SAR 400/year	Restricted quota	SAR 4,800
Red	—	Blocked	—

Fees are indicative for 2026. Annual levy may be waived for certain sectors and company sizes. Always verify current rates on qiwa.sa.

What can block work permit issuance?

• Nitaqat band is yellow or red
• WPS salary payment violations (late or missing submissions)
• Expired GOSI registration or outstanding contributions
• Expired CR (Commercial Registration)
• Outstanding fines from MOL inspections
• Labour court cases filed against the establishment

Labour contract registration on Qiwa

Saudi labour law requires all employment contracts to be registered on Qiwa within 30 days of the employee's start date. Both employer and employee must digitally approve the contract via the Qiwa platform. Unregistered contracts are considered unenforceable in labour court proceedings.

Mandatory contract contents

• Employee full name and nationality
• Job title and description
• Salary, allowances, and payment schedule
• Contract duration (fixed or open-ended)
• Working hours and rest days
• Annual leave entitlement (minimum 21 days)
• Probation period (maximum 90 days, extendable to 180)
• Notice period for termination

Contract registration process

Log in to Qiwa as employer/HR manager
Navigate to Labour Contracts
Select Add New Contract
Enter employee iqama number — Qiwa pulls employee data
Complete contract terms and submit for employee review
Employee approves via their own Qiwa account
Contract is live — both parties receive PDF copy

MOL KSA FAQ

What is the difference between MOL and HRSD in Saudi Arabia?

MOL (Ministry of Labour) was renamed to MHRSD (Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development) in 2019. HRSD expanded the mandate to include social development, workforce development, and employment services. Most employers still refer to it as MOL KSA. All employer services previously on the MOL portal are now on Qiwa (qiwa.sa).

What is the MOL portal URL for Saudi Arabia?

Former MOL portal services are now at qiwa.sa for all employer labour services (work permits, contracts, Nitaqat, WPS). The MHRSD ministry website is hrsd.gov.sa for regulations and policy information. Nafath authentication is required to log in.

How do I get a work permit through MOL/HRSD?

Work permits are issued through Qiwa under Work Permit Services. Requirements: active GOSI, green or higher Nitaqat band, no WPS violations, active CR. The fee is SAR 200/year per permit for green/platinum band. Apply online — approval typically takes 2–5 business days.

Can a foreign national access the MOL/Qiwa portal in Saudi Arabia?

Yes. Iqama holders can log in to Qiwa as employees to view their labour contract, approve or reject contract terms, submit transfer requests, and access their employment history. Employer access requires Nafath authentication via the Nafath app, which iqama holders can activate using their residency ID number.

What happens if I do not register on MOL/Qiwa?

Failure to register on Qiwa blocks work permit issuance, prevents labour contract filing (making employment relationships legally vulnerable), prevents iqama issuance for new employees, and may result in MOL inspection fines. Unregistered establishments also cannot access Saudization (Nitaqat) status, which is required for CR renewals and government service access.