Quick Summary
- Huroob means "absconding" — your employer reports you as having fled work
- Employer can file Huroob after you are absent for 3 consecutive days
- Huroob can result in deportation, ban and inability to return to Saudi Arabia
- It can be filed falsely by employers as a threat or punishment
- You can check your Huroob status on Absher or through the MOI portal
- Huroob can be cleared — but only through specific legal channels
What Is Huroob in Saudi Arabia?
The word "Huroob" (هروب) is an Arabic word meaning "escape" or "absconding." In the Saudi labour system, Huroob is a status that an employer files against a worker who has left their job without permission or official resignation.
Under the Saudi Kafala (sponsorship) system, your employer is your legal sponsor in Saudi Arabia. When you work without their knowledge, leave the company without going through proper channels, or stop showing up to work without explanation, your employer has the legal right to report you as "absconded" to the Ministry of Interior (MOI).
Once Huroob is filed, your name is flagged in the Saudi government system. This creates serious legal complications and can affect your ability to stay, work, travel and return to Saudi Arabia.
How Can an Employer File Huroob?
An employer can file Huroob against a worker through the Absher Business platform or through the HRSD portal. The conditions under which an employer can legally file Huroob are:
- The worker has been absent from work for 3 or more consecutive days without informing the employer or providing a valid reason
- The worker has left the company and is working for another employer without transferring sponsorship
- The worker has completely disappeared and the employer cannot contact them
Legally, the employer must attempt to contact the worker and document the absence before filing Huroob. However, in practice, some employers file Huroob immediately as a threat or form of control.
False Huroob — A Serious Problem
False Huroob is one of the most serious abuses in the Saudi labour system. Some employers use the threat of Huroob to control workers — especially when a worker complains about unpaid salary, tries to transfer their sponsorship, or threatens to file a labour complaint.
Common situations where employers falsely file Huroob:
- Worker complained about unpaid or delayed salary
- Worker requested a sponsorship transfer the employer does not want
- Worker filed a labour complaint against the employer
- Employer wants to avoid paying EOSB and final settlement
- Employer is retaliating against a worker for leaving without serving full notice
Consequences of Huroob Status
Having Huroob filed against you has serious consequences. The impact depends on your situation and how quickly you act to resolve it:
Deportation Risk
If you are caught by authorities while Huroob is active, you can be deported from Saudi Arabia.
Re-entry Ban
After deportation with Huroob, you may face a 1-year or permanent ban from re-entering Saudi Arabia.
Cannot Work Legally
With Huroob active, no other employer can legally process your iqama or hire you officially.
Travel Restrictions
Huroob can prevent you from using official exit channels — you may be stopped at the airport.
Financial Fines
Huroob can result in fines. Combined with iqama overstay fines, the total can be very high.
Iqama Cannot Be Renewed
While Huroob is active, your iqama cannot be renewed by any employer, causing it to expire.
How To Check If You Have Huroob Status
There are several ways to check whether Huroob has been filed against you. Do this immediately if you suspect your employer has filed or threatened to file Huroob.
Check on Absher App
Open the Absher app on your phone. Go to "My Services" → "Residency" → "Iqama Status." If Huroob is active, it will appear in your status. The Absher app is the fastest way to check.
Check on MOI Website
Visit the MOI (Ministry of Interior) website at moi.gov.sa. Use the "Inquire about Iqama" service with your Iqama number to check your current status.
Ask a Trusted Person
If you do not have Absher access, ask a trusted colleague or friend in Saudi Arabia to check your Iqama number through the Absher system.
Visit HRSD or Jawazat
You can visit the nearest HRSD (Ministry of Human Resources) office or Jawazat (Passport) office in person to inquire about your status with your Iqama.
How To Clear Huroob Status — Step by Step
Clearing Huroob requires working through official Saudi government channels. There are two main paths depending on whether you are still in Saudi Arabia or have already left.
If You Are Still in Saudi Arabia
Do Not Run — Seek Legal Help First
Trying to hide or leave illegally will make things much worse. The best approach is to deal with it legally and calmly. Seek guidance immediately.
File a Counter-Complaint at HRSD
If the Huroob is false, go to the nearest HRSD office or file a complaint at hrsd.gov.sa. Explain that the Huroob was filed falsely and provide your evidence — payslips, WhatsApp messages, contract, anything that shows you were employed and not absconding.
Negotiate with the Employer
In many cases, the fastest resolution is directly with the employer. If the employer agrees to withdraw the Huroob, they can do so through Absher Business. Sometimes a negotiated settlement (EOSB, final dues) is exchanged for Huroob withdrawal.
Labour Court Option
If negotiation fails and the Huroob is proven false, you can file a case at the Labour Court. The court can order the employer to withdraw the Huroob and also compensate you if it caused harm.
Transfer Sponsorship or Exit Legally
Once Huroob is cleared, you can either transfer your sponsorship to a new employer or apply for a final exit visa to leave Saudi Arabia legally.
If You Have Already Left Saudi Arabia
- Contact your former employer directly and request they withdraw the Huroob. Some employers agree once you are out of the country.
- Contact your country's embassy or consulate in Saudi Arabia — they can sometimes assist with HRSD communication.
- Hire a Saudi-based legal representative (lawyer or PRO) to handle the withdrawal process on your behalf in Saudi Arabia.
- If you plan to return to Saudi Arabia in future, the Huroob must be cleared before you can get a new work visa.
Huroob and Your EOSB Rights
A common question: if my employer filed Huroob against me, do I still get EOSB?
The answer is — it depends on who is at fault. If the Huroob was filed falsely and you can prove you did not abandon work, you are still entitled to your full EOSB and final settlement. The Huroob does not automatically cancel your labour rights.
If you genuinely abandoned work without notice, the employer may have grounds to reduce EOSB under Article 80 — but they still cannot simply cancel all your entitlements without going through legal process.
Calculate Your EOSB — Even After Huroob
Even if your employer filed Huroob, you may still be entitled to EOSB. Calculate what you are owed using our free calculator and use it as evidence in your complaint.
Calculate EOSB FreeCan You Work for Another Employer While Huroob Is Active?
No — not legally. While Huroob is active on your Iqama, no employer can officially process your work permit or iqama renewal. If you are found working without a valid iqama, you can be fined and deported.
Some workers continue working informally while trying to clear Huroob — but this is a significant legal risk. The safest path is to clear the Huroob first before starting with a new employer.
How Long Does It Take to Clear Huroob?
The timeline for clearing Huroob varies greatly:
- Employer withdraws voluntarily — Can happen within 24–48 hours once the employer does it through Absher Business. This is the fastest path.
- HRSD mediation — Typically takes 2–4 weeks depending on the complexity of the case and HRSD workload.
- Labour Court route — Can take 3–6 months or longer. This is the last resort but provides a legal judgment in your favour.
Protecting Yourself from Huroob
Prevention is better than cure. Here is how to protect yourself from Huroob being filed against you:
- Always resign through official written channels — never just stop showing up to work
- Serve your full notice period or negotiate a formal release letter from your employer
- If you leave a job, ensure your iqama is transferred to a new employer or a final exit visa is issued
- Keep copies of all official documents — contract, payslips, resignation letter, employer acknowledgment
- Never trust a verbal promise from an employer — get everything in writing
- If your employer is abusing you or withholding your salary, file a complaint through HRSD before leaving — not after
Huroob After Sponsorship Transfer
Under Saudi Arabia's updated labour mobility rules, workers with 1+ year of service can transfer their sponsorship to a new employer without the current employer's consent. However, some employers retaliate by filing Huroob the moment they learn of the transfer request.
If you are transferring sponsorship, make sure you:
- Complete the official transfer through Qiwa — do not do it informally
- Check your Absher status daily during the transfer period
- Save evidence that your transfer was processed officially
- If Huroob is filed during a legal transfer process, file an immediate counter-complaint at HRSD
Frequently Asked Questions About Huroob
Can my employer file Huroob if I take sick leave?
No. If you have informed your employer of your sick leave and have medical documentation, the employer cannot file Huroob. If they do, it is a false Huroob filing and can be challenged at HRSD.
Does Huroob mean I am banned from Saudi Arabia permanently?
Not automatically. Huroob itself flags you in the system. A ban is typically imposed after deportation. If Huroob is cleared before deportation, there is usually no ban. The nature and duration of any ban depends on the specific circumstances.
My employer is threatening Huroob if I don't accept bad conditions. What do I do?
Document the threat immediately — screenshot messages, note dates, save evidence. Then file a complaint at HRSD reporting the threat and the working conditions. The Saudi government takes employer threats of false Huroob seriously. Do not give in to the threat.
Can I leave Saudi Arabia while Huroob is on my record?
You may be stopped at the airport if Huroob is active. Some expats have left without being stopped, but it is a serious risk. The safest approach is to clear Huroob before attempting to travel.
If I left Saudi Arabia years ago with Huroob on my record, can I go back?
You would need to clear the Huroob before being able to get a new Saudi work visa. This needs to be done from outside Saudi Arabia through a Saudi-based representative or by negotiating directly with the former employer.
Is there a fine for Huroob?
There can be fines associated with Huroob status, especially if it has been combined with iqama overstay. The exact fine depends on the duration and circumstances. Use our Iqama Fine Calculator to estimate overstay fines.
Employer Filed Huroob Against You?
This is a serious situation that needs to be handled carefully and quickly. Book a personal consultation and I will guide you through your exact options based on your specific situation — from 20 years of real Saudi Arabia experience.