Can your employer refuse to give you an experience certificate in Saudi Arabia, and how do you get one when the job ends?
An experience certificate Saudi Arabia employers issue is, in legal terms, a service certificate. Article 64 of the Labor Law requires the employer to give the worker, on request and free of charge, a certificate when the employment contract ends. It must show when the worker joined, when the relationship ended, the occupation and the last wage, and it must not contain anything that harms the worker’s reputation or job prospects.
The right does not depend on how the job ended, on how long you worked, or on a performance rating. If your employer delays or refuses, there are practical steps, including the electronic service certificate on the Qiwa platform. This guide explains who is entitled, what the certificate must contain, how to get it from your employer or from Qiwa, and what to do when there is a problem.
Did your employer refuse to issue your certificate, or does it contain wrong or damaging information? You can send a short summary on WhatsApp and the Al-Safwa Law Firm team will review your situation in confidence and explain the next step.
Table of Contents
Experience certificate Saudi Arabia at a glance
| Question | Short answer | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| What is it called in the Labor Law? | A service certificate; “experience certificate” is the everyday name | Article 64 |
| Who gives it? | The employer, or the worker through Qiwa for experience registered there | Article 64 and the Qiwa service |
| When can you ask for it? | When the employment contract ends | Article 64 |
| Does it cost anything? | The employer must issue it without charge; the Qiwa service is free | Article 64 and Qiwa |
| Is a minimum period of service required? | No minimum period is stated in the article | Article 64 |
| What must it show? | Start date, end date, occupation and last wage | Article 64 |
| What must it not contain? | Remarks that harm reputation or reduce job chances | Article 64 |
What is an experience certificate in Saudi Arabia?
People say “experience certificate”, but the Labor Law uses the phrase “service certificate”. Both mean the document that proves you worked for an establishment and shows the basic facts of that employment. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development describes the electronic service certificate on Qiwa as an official document that proves a worker’s experience at previous establishments, and a worker can show it to a new employer.
The certificate is not a reference letter. It does not need praise, a performance rating or a statement that the worker became an expert. Its job is to record the employment in a neutral way. That is why an experience certificate Saudi Arabia employees ask for should be factual and short.
A new employer may ask for it during hiring, so ask for it when your contract ends rather than months later. After some time, HR staff change, files are archived and the details become harder to confirm. If you have worked for several establishments, request a certificate for each period while the records are still easy to find.
Who is entitled to an experience certificate and when?
Anyone leaving a private-sector job can ask for the experience certificate Saudi Arabia law calls a service certificate. The right arises when the employment contract ends. Article 64 does not set a minimum period of service and does not make the certificate depend on a performance rating or on the employer’s opinion. In practice this means:
- You resigned: you can still ask for the certificate. Your other entitlements after resignation are separate; see our guide to termination of contract and resignation rules.
- Your fixed-term contract expired: the right is the same. Our guide to Saudi labor law contract renewal explains what happens when a contract is not renewed.
- The contract ended by agreement: the right to the certificate stays independent of the termination agreement.
- You were dismissed: the employer must still issue a neutral certificate on request.
The certificate is also independent of the end-of-service award and other financial dues. An employer cannot hold back the certificate until a financial dispute is settled, and the award is calculated separately, as explained in our guide to end-of-service benefits.
Experience certificate Saudi Arabia: what must it contain?
Under Article 64, the basic data are:
- The date the worker joined the establishment.
- The date the employment relationship ended.
- The occupation the worker held.
- The worker’s last wage.
In practice the certificate also carries what is needed to identify the holder and the employer, such as the worker’s name and ID or residence number, the establishment’s name, the name and title of the person signing, a signature or stamp and the date of issue. It must not contain remarks that damage the worker’s reputation or reduce the chance of finding another job, and you should read it carefully before leaving the office.
How to get an experience certificate Saudi Arabia employers must issue
- Ask in writing. A short email or message to HR is enough. Say that you are requesting the service certificate under Article 64 and give the date your contract ended.
- Keep proof of the request. Save the email, the message or any receipt. If a dispute follows, the date of your request will matter.
- Check every detail on receipt. Compare your occupation, start date, end date and last wage with your contract and payslips.
- Check the wording. There must be no remark about conduct, performance or the reason you left that could harm your chances of finding work.
- Ask for corrections in writing. If something is wrong, list the error and ask for a corrected certificate.
Experience certificate Saudi Arabia online: how to get your service certificate through Qiwa
The Qiwa platform lets a worker generate a service certificate electronically from the experience recorded on the platform. The service is free. The steps are:
- Sign in to your individual account on Qiwa.
- Open “Services”.
- Choose “Job certificates”.
- Select “Request a new certificate”.
- Choose the type of certificate you need.
- Select the experience you want the certificate for.
- Review the certificate and issue it.
The electronic certificate depends on the experience recorded on the platform, so check that the employment you want is listed correctly. If it is missing or wrong, ask the employer to correct the record or request a certificate directly under Article 64. Menu names on Qiwa can change, so follow the current screens.
Service certificate or other work documents?
Workers often mix up the service certificate with other papers. The table separates them:
| Document | What it is | Who issues it |
|---|---|---|
| Service (experience) certificate | Proves the employment and its basic data | The employer, or Qiwa for recorded experience |
| Social insurance statement of periods and wages | Shows insured periods and wages from social insurance records | The social insurance authority, not the employer |
| End-of-service award statement | A financial settlement of what is due at the end of service | Calculated from your contract and years of service |
Having one of these documents does not replace the others. For the financial side, our end of service calculator guide shows how the award is worked out.
What if the employer refuses or the details are wrong?
Start with a written request and keep the proof. If the employer still refuses to issue the certificate, issues one with wrong data, or adds remarks that harm you, the matter can be handled as a labor dispute. Labor disputes start with the friendly settlement service of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, which is electronic and free. If no settlement is reached, the case is referred to the labor court.
Before filing, gather your contract, payslips, any messages about the certificate, and your written request. A lawyer can review them, state the claim clearly and explain which route fits your case. If your employer is based in Jeddah, our labour lawyer in Jeddah team can review the file and the labor office lawyer page explains how complaints at the labor office are handled.
Do not accept a verbal promise that the certificate “will be sent later”. Ask for a date in writing, and if the employer says the certificate is delayed for a reason linked to your final settlement, record that answer too. A clear written trail makes it much easier for a lawyer or a settlement officer to understand what happened.
What a simple service certificate looks like
A simple certificate is addressed “To whom it may concern” and includes these fields:
- The name of the establishment, and the worker’s full name and ID or residence number.
- The occupation or job title held.
- The period of work, from the start date to the end date.
- The last wage.
- A line saying the certificate was issued at the worker’s request.
- The name and title of the person signing, with signature, stamp and date.
Nothing about conduct, performance or the reason for leaving is needed. If the draft you receive includes such comments, ask for them to be removed.
Tips for employers
- Issue it on request and without charge. Do not link it to the final settlement.
- Keep it factual. Include the four basic data points and avoid comments on conduct.
- Keep records. Contracts, wages and dates should match what appears in the certificate.
- Correct errors quickly. A delay can turn a simple request into a labor claim.
Frequently Asked Questions about experience certificate Saudi Arabia
Is an experience certificate a legal right in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Article 64 of the Labor Law requires the employer to give the worker a service certificate on request, free of charge, when the contract ends.
Can my employer refuse to give me an experience certificate?
The employer is required to give it on request. If it refuses or delays, you can ask in writing and, if needed, raise a labor claim.
Do I have to work for a minimum period to get the certificate?
The article does not set a minimum period of service. The right arises when the contract ends.
Can I get the certificate after I resign?
Yes. The right to the certificate applies when the contract ends, and it is independent of your other entitlements after resignation.
Can the certificate include negative comments?
No. It must not contain anything that harms the worker’s reputation or reduces job opportunities.
Is the Qiwa service certificate free?
Yes. The electronic service certificate on Qiwa is a free service for workers in the private sector.
What data must the certificate include?
The date you joined, the date the relationship ended, your occupation and your last wage.
Can the employer withhold the certificate until my final dues are settled?
No. The certificate is independent of the end-of-service award and the other financial dues.
This guide covered the right to an experience certificate Saudi Arabia workers hold under Article 64, what it must show, how to request it from your employer or through Qiwa, and what to do if there is a problem. If you have a question about a real situation, contact us through the WhatsApp button at the bottom of the screen.
Sources:
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development: Service Certificate on Qiwa
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development: Labor Law, Labor Relations
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development: Friendly Settlement for Labor Disputes
- Qiwa platform
A legal advisor holding a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the prestigious Cairo University. He possesses extensive experience spanning over 25 years in criminal, civil, and family law, during which he has achieved notable accomplishments that have solidified his reputation as a valuable asset to any legal team
