leaving a bad employer

Well legally they shouldn't even be holding any passport. But I don't know how the legal system works out here as to what avenues you would need to take - perhaps TLL or someone else knowledgable will help out later today. But there are legal channels here just depends at what cost and timescale. Try your embassy as well they may be able to help with getting the passport back at least.

I completely agree with Loopy, I always suggest in thse cases to get in touch with your respective embassies, they are the best bet in such cases.

Good Luck

labor court !

A lot of sponsors pay airfare, visa and up-front accommodation costs for employees prior to them coming out to Riyadh so if he is trying to leave before the contract (written or verbal) has expired then the sponsor will hold the passport until he repays the outstnding balance on accommodation etc.
Not sure that the sponsor holding the passport is illegal, I work for one of the biggest expat employers in KSA and they hold mine while I have my Iqama.
The embassies can act as a go-between for getting the passport back, but canot do anything at all about the terms of employment, to resolve issues like this you should find a lwayer out here.
Your friend needs to be aware that if the sponsor returns the passport he may very well do so with a final exit visa in it - if this happens then your friend will have a very short time to leave the country (think it's about 10 days from time of issue).  If he doesn't leave the country by the time the final exit visa expires he will find himself as an illegal immigrant and can be held in a deportation center prior to being deported.

flipper0465 wrote:

Not sure that the sponsor holding the passport is illegal, I work for one of the biggest expat employers in KSA and they hold mine while I have my Iqama.

You will find most companies here keep your passports but that doesn't make it legal. No one but you should ever have your passport whatever country. There is actually a thread on here regarding this if you wanted to look it up

LoopyLou87 wrote:

flipper0465 wrote:

Not sure that the sponsor holding the passport is illegal, I work for one of the biggest expat employers in KSA and they hold mine while I have my Iqama.

You will find most companies here keep your passports but that doesn't make it legal. No one but you should ever have your passport whatever country. There is actually a thread on here regarding this if you wanted to look it up

It doesn't make it illegal either. What the guy needs to do is go and see a lawyer, however he may still be required to reimburse the employer any expense that the employer has made on his behalf (accommodation etc)