6 new rules to remove Huroob | 2024

Jawazat has issued new rules for absence from work in Saudi Arabia, providing new ways to remove Huroob;

What is Huroob?

Huroob means absconder, i.e., the employee has run away from the employer. Since the employer is unaware of where the employee works, he reports his employee to the Ministry of Interior.

• How to check Iqama Huroob status online?

Removing Huroob during Grace Period

Saudi HRSD Ministry has introduced a 60-day grace period from December 1, 2024, to January 29, 2025, for Huroob workers to rectify their legal status via the Qiwa platform.

• 60 days grace period to Huroob workers

Removing Huroob by Kafeel

As per the new Jawazat rules, the data of the expat employee will be disconnected from the employer as soon as the Huroob is reported.

• Therefore, the current Kafeel could not remove Huroob from the system.
• The employee will be absent from work in the ministry’s systems.
• The current employer does not bear any consequences for this.

Iqama transfer under Huroob

As per the new rules, the employer can transfer Iqama and remove  Huroob without the involvement of the current Kafeel within 60 days of being declared absent from Work.

• The new employer will send a transfer request through Qiwa.
• The Ministry will approve the transfer request instead of the old Kafeel.
• The transfer request must be completed within 15 days from the date of the ministry’s approval.
• It applies to both new and old absent from work cases.

Final Exit under Huroob

The new rules have allowed the expat employee to get a final exit during Huroob.

• Final exit must be issued within 60 days of setting the Huroob.
• If you get a final exit while you are absent from work, you can legally return to Saudi Arabia on a new visa.
• The Huroob ban would not be applicable.

Deportation under Huroob

If the expat does not remove Huroob by getting a final exit or Iqama transfer, he would be deported by the Ministry of Labor.

You can report to the authorities at the detention center (Tarheel). They will detain you, keep you in detention and deport you to your home country. However, leaving the country under Huroob also means you would be banned from entering Saudi Arabia again on a new visa for 5 years.

Huroob Cancellation by the Court

In Huroob, the employer terminates an employee under Article 80 (7) for being absent from work where end-of-service benefits are unpaid.

In case of unfair termination, while you were not absent from work, you file a labor case against Kafeel and prove that the Huroob was set with a malafide intention.

You can also book a Maktab Amal Appointment to discuss any legal point related to this.

• Expat wins case against Kafeel for illegal Huroob

If you prove that, the court will grant you all the due benefits. However, make sure you transfer your Iqama before starting the court process.

Source: Ministry of Labor

Removing Huroob for Domestic Workers

In the case of a domestic worker, the possibility of removing the Huroob depends upon the time duration the employee has spent in Saudi Arabia.

If the Huroob is set by the Kafeel, within 2 years of the employee’s arrival in Saudi Arabia, the employee must exit the country within 60 days of setting the Huroob.

If the Huroob is set by the Kafeel, after 2 years of the employee’s arrival in Saudi Arabia, the employee has two options;

• He/She can leave Saudi Arabia within 60 days.
• He/She can transfer sponsorship without the approval of the current employer.