Resigning in Saudi Arabia: Notice Rules After 2025

Royal Decree M/44 amended the Saudi Labor Law from 19 February 2025. Two changes matter if you want to resign: the notice periods in Article 75, and a new resignation procedure.

Notice you must give (Article 75)

For a contract of indefinite duration with a monthly-paid worker, the amended Article 75 sets different notice for each side:

Who ends the contract	Written notice, at least
The employee (resigning)	30 days
The employer	60 days

If you are not paid monthly, either side must give at least 30 days’ written notice. Before the amendment, the minimum for monthly-paid workers was 60 days whichever side ended the contract, so the employee’s notice is now shorter.

If a party does not give notice, Article 76 makes it pay the other party compensation equal to the worker’s pay for the notice period. The notice period calculator works out the figure.

The new resignation procedure (Article 79 bis)

1. Submit your resignation request. Do not name a later date for it to take effect: a deferred date is not allowed in the request.
2. The request is accepted automatically if 30 days pass without a reply from the employer.
3. If the work requires it, the employer can postpone acceptance by up to 60 days. It must explain why in writing, before the 30 days end. The 60 days count from the date you receive that explanation.
4. The contract ends when the employer accepts, when the 30 days pass with no reply, or when the postponement ends.
5. You can withdraw your resignation within 7 days of submitting it, unless the employer has already accepted it.
6. While the request is pending, the contract stays in force and both sides must keep meeting their obligations.
7. A worker whose contract ends by resignation keeps all the rights the Law gives.

Article 79 bis does not mention probation. If you are still on it, see the probation guide.

What you are paid when you resign

• End of service award (Article 85): nothing under 2 years, one third from 2 years up to and including 5, two thirds from over 5 up to under 10, and the full award from 10 years. See our guide to the award.
• Unused annual leave (Article 111): your wage for the leave days you have accrued and not used. Use the Saudi annual leave calculator.
• Timing (Article 88): if you ended the contract, the employer must settle your dues within two weeks. The Saudi final settlement calculator adds it all up.

Leaving without notice

Article 81 lets a worker leave without notice, and keep their rights, in seven situations:

• the employer fails its essential obligations under the contract or the law
• fraud when contracting about the work conditions
• you are given substantially different work without your consent
• a violent assault or immoral act against you or your family
• cruel, unjust or insulting treatment
• a serious hazard to your safety or health that the employer knows about and does not remove
• the employer’s conduct makes you appear to be the party ending the contract

If this is disputed, the labour court decides whether your case fits.

Checklist

1. Check whether your contract is of indefinite or fixed duration, and how you are paid.
2. Resign in writing and keep proof that you submitted it.
3. Note the date: the employer’s 30 days start then.
4. After the end date, make sure your award, unused leave pay and wages are settled within two weeks.

Source: Saudi Labor Law, Royal Decree No. M/51, English text published by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Articles 75, 76, 81, 85, 88, 111, and the Ministry’s guideline “Amendments to Labor Law Articles” (6 August 2024) for the amended Articles 74, 75 and 79 bis. Checked on 2 October 2026. The English text is a translation; the Arabic text governs.