Departure Notice Template for Saudi Arabia

A Departure Notice is a legally required document in Saudi Arabia that formally announces the termination of an employment relationship. Under Saudi Labor Law, this document serves as official notification when either you as an employer or your employee wishes to end the working relationship, immediately triggering the notice period specified in the employment contract and initiating various legal and administrative procedures.

When do you need this document?

You need a Departure Notice whenever employment termination occurs in Saudi Arabia. This includes situations where you're terminating an employee's contract, when an employee resigns from their position, or when a fixed-term contract reaches its natural expiration. The document is particularly crucial for expatriate workers, as it triggers the cancellation of work permits and residence permits (Iqama). You must issue this notice whether the departure is voluntary, involuntary, or due to contract completion, ensuring compliance with Saudi Labor Law requirements and protecting both parties' legal interests.

Key legal considerations

The notice period duration depends on your employee's length of service and contract terms, typically ranging from 30 to 60 days as mandated by Saudi Labor Law. You must include comprehensive handover requirements, specifying all company property to be returned and work responsibilities to be transferred to other team members. Final settlement calculations must comply with Ministerial Resolution No. 70273/1440, covering end of service benefits, unused vacation days, and any outstanding compensation. The document should clearly outline the employee's obligations during the notice period, including maintaining confidentiality and completing assigned tasks. For expatriate employees, you must coordinate with relevant authorities for visa cancellation procedures.

Legal requirements in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Labor Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) mandates specific procedures for employment termination that your Departure Notice must follow. The document must be prepared in both Arabic and English to ensure legal validity and clear communication. You must comply with Wage Protection System (WPS) regulations regarding final salary payments and coordinate with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) for processing end of service benefits. For expatriate employees, the notice triggers residence permit cancellation procedures under Saudi Residence Permit (Iqama) Regulations. The document must include proper company letterhead, reference numbers, and formal addressing to meet Saudi legal standards. All final settlements must be processed according to current HRSD guidelines, ensuring accurate calculation of benefits and timely payment to departing employees.