Hi,
Recently, saudi government announce that secretary profession will be totally 100% for saudi's only starting from April 7, 2022.
My problem is my occupation is Executive Secretary. I just want to know if there will be a chance to change it to other occupation thru online?
Thanks,
Change profession from Executive Secretary to applicable job title
50
3
Hi,
Got same concern. Were you able to change it?
Thanks
50
Hi RR - I am still not able to change it. how about you? did you get any options? thanks
4
Hello Blue! how's your status? Did you find any options to change your profession?
50
Hello Val, Unfortunately I still did not find any solution regarding this change of occupation in iqama.
555
YES, it is possible to change [link moderated] via Qiwa Portal Platform. Talk to your employer to support you in this regard.
Below are the procedure to change the visa of employee through the help of Employer.
- Employer must log in to Qiwa platform
- Choose "occupation change" service from the e-services
- Select the workers whose profession you want to change
- Select the occupation you want to change to
- Fill in the details of employee employment contract
- Apply for a change of occupation
The application will be sent to the employee through Qiwa Portal, and the employer should remind the employee to log-on in Qiwa website and enter individual portal to accept or reject the request online.
3
Hi Blue,
Im joining a new company in couple of weeks and they are aware of my concern. They said they will do it after the transfer. Will let you know if its doable or not.
50
Hi RR, please do let me know so I will have an option.
thanks,
2
Is there a possibility
If I take transfer from my current company to the other company my job profession will be charged
Plz reply
2
RR RR2 wrote:Hi Blue,
Im joining a new company in couple of weeks and they are aware of my concern. They said they will do it after the transfer. Will let you know if its doable or not.
Is there a possibility
If I take transfer from my current company to the other company my job profession will be charged
Plz reply
23
Any person change the profession from executive secretary?
3
Hi All
Same issue here. My profession is exexutive secretary and i have been advised by HR that profession can not be changed because it is saudialized.
Anyone has any success in changing this profession? Is there a work around for such a situation in general?
Thank you
3
Hello everyone!
My current position is Secretary, sadly, at this point, I already received the termination letter from our company, thought my iqama still valid for 6 months period. Just to informed everyone who have the same issue, it is not anymore the basis of your iqama expiry, instead, secretary position will be nationalized 100% effectively on 07 May 2022. According to our HR, they have tried to change my position but unfortunately its not possible. Its a sad reality but I must face it.
13
@Eyecatcher2017 can i ask you that in your IQAMA your profession is SECRETARY?
3
@melvinmendoza1980, Yes, my profession in my iqama is Secretary same as my work. Unfortunately we are more than 5 Secretaries in our company, one of us is Executive secretary and we all have facing the same issue.
2
@RR RR2 Dear RR Any updates about your new job and profession?
8
Same issue here. My profession is executive secretary and I have been advised by HR that profession can not be changed because it is saudialized. and my iqama is expired. also my company qiwa system is inactive. if I go final exit, can I come back again?
1
Hi everyone!
My current profession on IQama is the Executive Secretary and our HR has advised to go exit and come on a new Visa. this iqama will not be renewed.
I think everyone same profession getting this issue. There is no solution to change it.
23
@Rana Javed yes I am also facing same problem.
Can we stay upto iqama expiry?
27
@Rana Javed yes I am also facing same problem.Can we stay upto iqama expiry?- @umer arshad
This is my question as well..
27
YES, it is possible to change [link moderated] via Qiwa Portal Platform. Talk to your employer to support you in this regard.
- @RedTrumpet
Below are the procedure to change the visa of employee through the help of Employer.
- Employer must log in to Qiwa platform
- Choose "occupation change" service from the e-services
- Select the workers whose profession you want to change
- Select the occupation you want to change to
- Fill in the details of employee employment contract
- Apply for a change of occupation
The application will be sent to the employee through Qiwa Portal, and the employer should remind the employee to log-on in Qiwa website and enter individual portal to accept or reject the request online.
i tried to change to Labor and some other profession but doesn't accept.
27
Yesterday i went to labor office and they said, if the message is showing - "TO" i,e - your profession can't be changed TO this selected profession. than to raise a complain from the system attaching an screen shot of that error.
27
does anyone have any update?
50
@hasanibm Please clarify, what do you mean by TO. so does this mean it is only an error or they really blocked to change the profession
27
@hasanibm Please clarify, what do you mean by TO. so does this mean it is only an error or they really blocked to change the profession
- @blue19casubuan
for example, In Qiwa portal you go to change profession tab and selecting a new profession to change, as soon as you select a profession it gives an error which is similar to this - your profession can't be changed TO this selected profession. that "TO" is what labor office personnel was talking about.
i am still trying to find other way, if not than i will raise a complain as he said. My iqama is valid for 16 month. it will be a problem for me if i can't change profession or can't stay at least 1 year more.
23
@hasanibm my HR tried to change and selected many professions but same error, HR is not fully aware about current system of QIWA.
27
@hasanibm my HR tried to change and selected many professions but same error, HR is not fully aware about current system of QIWA.
- @umer arshad.
Actually no one is fully aware.
1357
Hello, listen you all.
First of all, all those profession which are meant to be ONLY FOR SAUDIS are completely blocked to change.
Any other profession?
You can upgrade your profession but you cannot downgrade your profession.
What?
For example, your profession is electrical technician, you can move it in technician field but you can not downgrade it to labor/helper or any other low grade profession at all.
And in the same way, you can go from laborer to technician or engineering but you cannot go back to labor profession.
50
@Arsal7 Hi, so it means that for all professions which are for saudis only. there are no chance to change the profession to other professions even if you will upgrade it.
3
Ok
11642
I think everyone is confused by these profession issues. To clarify and to keep it simple:
1) As per the prevailing laws, the job that you are PHYSICALLY doing and the profession on your Iqama, MUST match. Otherwise, you are in violation of labor law and on any inspection, your company can be fined
2) In the past, it was easier for people to come in on lower category professions (no degree attestation) and physically do jobs that didn't match their professions. For example, I was a CFO on marketing specialist profession for a long time
3) Now with Saudization of professions and linkage with external bodies e.g. SOCPA, this route is being closed down altogether
4) To change profession, you must consider the following criteria (performing job refers to what you are ACTUALLY doing on a day to day basis):
- Are you performing a job which is a non-Saudized profession but Iqama is for a Saudized profession? if so, it is possible to change but you must have an attested degree which matches the profession you are changing to AND accreditation with the governing body (for example, if you want to change to Finance, you should have a FULL SOCPA membership). You can try through QIWA but in all probability it will be rejected so go the manual route. Your company needs to physically apply for profession change in MOHRE, submitting all documents and then follow up rigorously (it happened for me the same way)
- Are you performing a job which is a Saudized profession and Iqama is also for that profession? if so, simply forget about any change. Take final exit and come back on another visa for a random profession that allows you to dodge labor authorities for some time. But in the end, realize that Saudi is finished for you (legally speaking). As an example, HR has been 100% Saudized for a long time. No expat can work in HR but there are still a small number of people who work in HR with system analyst type of Iqamas, hide in corners of the office from labor inspectors and mark their linkedin as "confidential"...........is that the kind of life you want? better to just move on to another country
- Are you performing a job in a partially "Saudized" profession and Iqama is also of that profession?: If your job nature is higher than the titles that have been Saudized, you can upgrade profession through the same route as highlighted above (you cannot downgrade your profession)
23
@XTang Hi! I am thankful to you for elaborating briefly..
I have 1 question, I fall in first scenario but i dnt have SOCPA membership.
I came on executive secretary visa but my job is for accountant I have my C.A intermediate (ICAP) certificate which is attested by Saudi culture and embassy. I have also passed some papers of CA final that are mentioned in my transcript.
I have B.Com 2 years certificate which is not attested.. so can I get socpa permanent membership on the basis if these credentials??
11642
SOCPA verifies the credentials themselves so no attestation needed. Read the requirements for SOCPA membership and assess if you qualify. Others can comment on their experiences with a B.Com. Since you are in a Saudized profession, you will, in all probability, need a full membership - profession change may not work with temporary accounting technician.
27
I think everyone is confused by these profession issues. To clarify and to keep it simple:1) As per the prevailing laws, the job that you are PHYSICALLY doing and the profession on your Iqama, MUST match. Otherwise, you are in violation of labor law and on any inspection, your company can be fined2) In the past, it was easier for people to come in on lower category professions (no degree attestation) and physically do jobs that didn't match their professions. For example, I was a CFO on marketing specialist profession for a long time3) Now with Saudization of professions and linkage with external bodies e.g. SOCPA, this route is being closed down altogether4) To change profession, you must consider the following criteria (performing job refers to what you are ACTUALLY doing on a day to day basis):- @XTang
- Are you performing a job which is a non-Saudized profession but Iqama is for a Saudized profession? if so, it is possible to change but you must have an attested degree which matches the profession you are changing to AND accreditation with the governing body (for example, if you want to change to Finance, you should have a FULL SOCPA membership). You can try through QIWA but in all probability it will be rejected so go the manual route. Your company needs to physically apply for profession change in MOHRE, submitting all documents and then follow up rigorously (it happened for me the same way)
- Are you performing a job which is a Saudized profession and Iqama is also for that profession? if so, simply forget about any change. Take final exit and come back on another visa for a random profession that allows you to dodge labor authorities for some time. But in the end, realize that Saudi is finished for you (legally speaking). As an example, HR has been 100% Saudized for a long time. No expat can work in HR but there are still a small number of people who work in HR with system analyst type of Iqamas, hide in corners of the office from labor inspectors and mark their linkedin as "confidential"...........is that the kind of life you want? better to just move on to another country
- Are you performing a job in a partially "Saudized" profession and Iqama is also of that profession?: If your job nature is higher than the titles that have been Saudized, you can upgrade profession through the same route as highlighted above (you cannot downgrade your profession)
Just one Question - my iqama is valid for 16 month more. can I continue this 16 month and go final exit or i have to leave immediately?
Thank you for your kind support.
18
@hasanibm You have to check with your GRO. He only give the clarity with regards to this.
23
@nagul12345
according to my understanding if company online portals are working than we can stay up to iqama expiry otherwise company will itself force us to leave on final exit.
27
@hasanibm You have to check with your GRO. He only give the clarity with regards to this.
- @nagul12345
Actually our GRO doesn't know anything. he is GRO by name only.
27
@nagul12345according to my understanding if company online portals are working than we can stay up to iqama expiry otherwise company will itself force us to leave on final exit.- @umer arshad
company want me to stay and company will support me in any way possible, but at the same time company also afraid of, to be impose a heavy amount of fine.
5
@XTang my performing job is not saudized, i'm a computer programmer also already have SCE membership, but my iqama is Data Entry, my company have been trying to change it but no luck. they just keep saying wait. but how it's been how many weeks still not changed, is there a way i can do without having to tell my hr to keep checking it. will they entertain me if i go to ministry of labour without my hr, she is too young i don't trust if she could do the job. i really need help guys. also another question if i change my sponsor to my father, is it possible if my company can rehire me with correct profession. or it will still be the same data entry?
11642
@nagul12345according to my understanding if company online portals are working than we can stay up to iqama expiry otherwise company will itself force us to leave on final exit.- @umer arshadcompany want me to stay and company will support me in any way possible, but at the same time company also afraid of, to be impose a heavy amount of fine.- @hasanibm
You can stay till Iqama expiry but yes, there is a risk of fines in case of labor inspections.
Subscribe to this topic
Articles to help you in your expat project in Saudi Arabia
Starting a business in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest business climate improvers, according to the annual World Bank's group ...
Working in Saudi Arabia
Finding a job in Saudi Arabia is mostly done before entering the country. Employment visas are still the most ...
Working in Jeddah
Jeddah is the most diverse city in Saudi Arabia. It is home to 3,4 million people and to the largest multicultural ...
Working in Jubail
Jubail is a city in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia with a population of over 680,000 people. It is also home ...
Working in Riyadh
As the capital city of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is one of the biggest urban communities in the country and is home to ...
Working in Dammam
Dammam, the Eastern province's capital city, is a very dynamic city in Saudi Arabia, almost as much as Khobar ...
Open a bank account that suits you
Discover the best international banks to manage your money securely.
"