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Resigning in Saudi Arabia: Article 79 Bis (2025 Amendment)
The 2025 amendments to the Saudi Labor Law changed how resignation works. A new Article 79 Bis procedure moves resignation onto the Qiwa portal and adds clear timelines: a 30-day auto-acceptance rule, a 7-day employee withdrawal window, and a capped employer delay. This page walks through the process step by step — and explains how resigning changes what you are owed.
VERIFIED 2026-10-09 (mechanics): 30-day auto-acceptance on employer silence, 7-day employee withdrawal window, employer delay up to 60 days with written justification — corroborated by Al Tamimi law firm, Etqan Law, and independent HRMS statutory doc. "Article 79 Bis" numbering follows press/analyst coverage; Tamimi describes it as a new provision within Article 79. Official gazette text not directly read — keep visible hedging.
What changed in 2025
Before the amendment, resignation was largely a paperwork process between you and your employer, with disputes over whether a resignation had been “accepted.” The new rules create a digital paper trail and default outcomes:
- Resignation goes through the Qiwa portal — the government’s employment platform — so there is a timestamped record of your request.
- 30-day auto-acceptance: if your employer does not respond within 30 days, the resignation is automatically accepted. Silence can no longer trap you.
- 7-day withdrawal window: you can withdraw your resignation within 7 days of submitting it.
- Capped employer delay: the employer may delay the effective date by up to 60 days, but only with written justification.
Step-by-step resignation flow
VERIFIED 2026-10-09 (sequencing): Qiwa submission → 30-day silence = acceptance → 7-day withdrawal → 60-day delay — corroborated by Al Tamimi + HRMS statutory doc.
- Submit your resignation through the Qiwa portal. Save the confirmation — screenshots and the portal’s reference number are your proof of the submission date.
- The 7-day withdrawal window opens. Changed your mind? Withdraw within 7 days. After this window, withdrawal depends on your employer agreeing.
- Wait for the employer’s response. If the employer accepts or counters within the process, follow the portal’s next steps.
- 30 days of silence = acceptance. If your employer does not respond within 30 days of your submission, the resignation is treated as automatically accepted.
- The employer may request up to 60 extra days before the effective date, with written justification. This is a delay, not a rejection — and it is capped at 60 days.
- Serve your notice period (see the notice period guide) and collect your final settlement.
Practical tip: keep everything in writing and inside the portal. Verbal promises about acceptance dates or delays are worth nothing if a dispute arises.
How resignation affects your EOSB
This is the part that costs resigning workers the most money. Resignation does not erase your gratuity — but Article 85 reduces it according to your length of service:
| Length of service | EOSB on resignation |
|---|---|
| Under 2 years | Nothing |
| 2 to under 5 years | One-third of the full amount |
| 5 to under 10 years | Two-thirds of the full amount |
| 10 years or more | Full amount |
The “full amount” is calculated under Article 84 (half a month’s wage per year for the first 5 years, one full month per year after, on your last wage including fixed allowances). Check your figure on the EOSB calculator — and think twice about resigning just before a tier boundary. Reaching 5 years, for example, doubles your payout from one-third to two-thirds.
Article 81: resignation for employer fault
Article 81 covers a different situation: resigning because the employer is at fault — for example serious breaches of the employment relationship. This is not an ordinary resignation, and it is treated differently.
FACT-CHECK: whether an Article 81 fault-based resignation preserves full EOSB (no Article 85 reduction) and the exact qualifying conditions need verification against the current Labor Law text — do not state the EOSB consequence as fact.
If you believe your employer’s conduct forces you to leave, document everything and check the current Labor Law text and HRSD guidance on Article 81 before submitting a normal resignation — choosing the wrong route can cost you a large part of your gratuity.
Frequently asked questions
How do I resign in Saudi Arabia under Article 79 Bis?
Under the 2025 amendment, resignation goes through the Qiwa portal. If your employer does not respond within 30 days, the resignation is automatically accepted. You have a 7-day window to withdraw your resignation, and your employer may delay the effective date by up to 60 days with written justification.
What happens if my employer ignores my resignation in Saudi Arabia?
If the employer stays silent for 30 days after you submit your resignation through Qiwa, the resignation is treated as automatically accepted. Keep screenshots and confirmation records from the Qiwa portal as proof of the submission date.
Can I cancel my resignation in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, the 2025 rules give the employee a 7-day withdrawal window after submitting the resignation. After that window closes, withdrawing depends on your employer’s agreement, so decide within the window.
Can my employer delay my resignation in Saudi Arabia?
The employer may delay the effective date of your resignation by up to 60 days, but must provide written justification. The delay is capped — it is not open-ended.
How does resigning affect my end-of-service benefits?
Under Article 85, resignation reduces your EOSB by service length: nothing for under 2 years, one-third of the full amount from 2 to under 5 years, two-thirds from 5 to under 10 years, and the full amount at 10 years or more.
What is Article 81 resignation for employer fault?
Article 81 covers resignation where the employer is at fault, such as serious breaches of the employment relationship. Because this is a fault-based resignation rather than an ordinary one, check the current Labor Law text and HRSD guidance for how it affects your entitlements before relying on it.