Changing jobs without employer consent
Most GCC countries now allow some job moves without the current employer's approval, but the conditions differ and domestic workers often have fewer options.
- Qatar: under Law No. 19 of 2020, the ILO says workers can change jobs before the contract ends without a No Objection Certificate, with one or two months' written notice under Law No. 18 of 2020.1
- Saudi Arabia: HRSD says private sector expatriate workers can move to a new employer when the contract expires without consent, and during the contract with notice.2
- Bahrain: LMRA says that for a worker with 12 months or more on the current permit, the employer cannot reject a transfer, and the system approves it after the notice period if the employer does not act.3
- Oman: CMS reported that ROP Decision 157/2020 removes the No Objection Certificate from 1 January 2021, provided the previous contract has ended.4
- UAE: Article 49 of Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 allows a move to another employer after the contract ends, under the Implementing Regulation.5
- Kuwait: MRRORS (formerly Migrant-Rights.org) reported that PAM Decision No. 680 of 2026 allows transfers before one year of service in cases such as unpaid permits or employer abuse.6
Sources
- International Labour Organization Dismantling the kafala system and introducing a minimum wage mark new era for Qatar labour market
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development launches the Labor Reform Initiative
- Labour Market Regulatory Authority Expatriate Employee Transfer
- CMS ROP Decision removes NOC requirements for expatriate employees in Oman starting 2021
- UAE Government (u.ae) / MoHRE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 Regarding the Regulation of Employment Relationship and its amendments
- MRRORS (formerly Migrant-Rights.org) Kuwait eases job transfer rules for migrant workers abused by employers