Qiwa Explained: A Guide for Saudi Entrepreneurs

Developed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), Qiwa plays a central role in aligning the country’s workforce ecosystem with the ambitious goals of Vision 2030 — an initiative that seeks to diversify the economy and position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

If you are a business owner in Saudi Arabia, understanding Qiwa is not just helpful; it is essential. This article explains what Qiwa is, why it matters, and how it can support your business.

What is Qiwa?

Qiwa is an integrated digital platform developed to provide seamless interaction between employers, employees, and the Saudi government. The platform brings together a wide array of services related to labour, human resources, immigration, and workforce management under one system.

At its core, Qiwa simplifies complex administrative procedures, digitises key HR processes, and supports compliance with Saudi labour laws. It enables businesses to manage employee contracts, request and renew work permits, and engage with government services, all online and from a single dashboard.

Qiwa is not just a tool for convenience. It is a strategic move by the Saudi government to improve the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of labour-related operations.

Objectives of Qiwa in Saudi Arabia

Qiwa was created to improve the ease of doing business in Saudi Arabia and support national development goals. Its key objectives include:

Encouraging Entrepreneurship
Qiwa simplifies the process of starting and managing a business. It helps eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic steps and makes it easier for individuals to launch new ventures.
Attracting Foreign Investment
By creating a streamlined and transparent labor system, Qiwa enhances Saudi Arabia’s appeal to international investors. The platform reduces administrative friction and presents a more investor-friendly business environment.
Creating Employment Opportunities
Qiwa supports the creation of new jobs for Saudi citizens. By facilitating business growth and improving access to workforce data, the platform helps employers align with national employment targets and Saudization policies.

Who is Qiwa For?

Qiwa is relevant to a wide range of users, including:

Business Owners and Employers
Companies of all sizes can use Qiwa to handle labour-related procedures such as employment contracts, work permit applications, employee transfers, and more. The platform is particularly valuable for HR teams looking to streamline their operations.
Employees and Workers
Saudi nationals and expatriates alike can use Qiwa to access employment information, view and sign contracts, and track work permit status. The platform enhances transparency by allowing individuals to manage their employment profiles online.
Government Agencies
Qiwa supports government authorities in monitoring labour market activity and ensuring compliance with legal regulations. It enables real-time oversight and data collection for better policymaking.

How to Subscribe to Qiwa

A Qiwa subscription gives you:

Full access to all Qiwa services
Timely alerts and reminders
Better control over compliance and operations

Note: Accessing the full version of Qiwa requires an annual subscription fee.

How to Subscribe to Qiwa

Log in to your Qiwa account.
Navigate to Workspaces > Establishment Accounts.
Click on ‘Subscribe’ and confirm that your registered information is accurate.
Review your subscription summary.
Read and accept the Qiwa Platform Terms and Conditions, then click ‘Go to payment’.
Choose your preferred payment method: Card or SADAD number.

Payment Options

Paying by Card

Select ‘Pay by card’.
Enter your payment card details.
Accept the terms and conditions and click ‘Submit and pay’.
A 4-digit verification code will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter the code and click ‘Confirm’.
Once the transaction is successful, your subscription will be activated for one year.

Paying with SADAD Number

Select ‘Pay with SADAD number’.
Accept the terms and conditions and click ‘Submit and pay’.
Enter the 4-digit verification code sent to your registered mobile number.
Copy the SADAD number and complete the payment through your bank.
Important: The SADAD number is valid for 14 days. If it expires, you will need to generate a new one.

Key Benefits of Using Qiwa

Qiwa provides several tangible advantages to businesses and employees in Saudi Arabia:

Streamlined Business Registration
Entrepreneurs can register their businesses online, without the need for physical visits or manual paperwork. This makes the initial setup process quicker and more accessible.
Time and Cost Efficiency
By automating and consolidating services, Qiwa reduces the need for third-party agents and lowers the time spent on administrative tasks. This allows businesses to focus on strategic growth.
Training and Development Support
Qiwa offers training programmes and upskilling resources that help entrepreneurs and employees stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
Job Creation and Employment Alignment
The platform contributes to Vision 2030’s employment goals by supporting businesses that hire Saudi citizens and offering tools to ensure compliance with Saudization requirements.
Support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Recognising the importance of SMEs, Qiwa offers tailored services, simplified processes, and dedicated development programmes to meet their specific needs.

Why is Qiwa Necessary?

Saudi Arabia’s labour market is undergoing rapid modernisation. In this context, Qiwa serves several critical purposes:

Ensuring Regulatory Compliance
With changing laws and regulations, Qiwa helps businesses stay up to date and compliant. The platform automatically reflects changes in labour policies and provides tools for implementation.
Increasing Transparency and Trust
Employees can independently verify their employment details and contract terms, which promotes trust and accountability between employers and workers.
Promoting the Saudi Workforce
By tracking the ratio of Saudi to non-Saudi workers in each company, Qiwa helps businesses align with national employment targets and avoid penalties.
Improving Operational Efficiency
Qiwa eliminates the need for separate visits to multiple government agencies. Tasks such as work permit issuance, contract approvals, and employee transfers are all handled on the same platform.
Driving Digital Transformation
Qiwa is part of the broader push for digitisation in Saudi Arabia. It replaces outdated, paper-based processes with fast, secure, and fully digital services.

Key Features of Qiwa

Several features make Qiwa a powerful platform for businesses and employees:

Contract Management
Employers can create, store, update, and share employment contracts directly through the platform.
Work Permit Services
Qiwa allows businesses to issue, renew, and manage work permits for foreign workers quickly and efficiently.
Employee Self-Service Tools
Employees can track employment status, access contracts, and manage their records without needing to go through HR departments.
Recruitment Support
Qiwa assists employers in hiring both Saudi and foreign workers by offering job-matching tools and recruitment insights.
Labour Market Insights
The platform provides real-time data and trend analysis that helps businesses make informed workforce decisions and stay competitive.

In Summary

Qiwa represents a major leap forward for Saudi Arabia’s labour ecosystem. By centralising and digitising all labour-related services, the platform has made it easier for businesses to manage compliance, reduce costs, and operate efficiently. At the same time, it has empowered employees with greater access to their employment information and rights.

For Saudi business owners, understanding and leveraging Qiwa is vital. As Vision 2030 continues to reshape the Kingdom’s economic landscape, platforms like Qiwa will be central to fostering a modern, transparent, and thriving labour market.

Want help with managing QIWA for your business in Saudi Arabia? Get in touch with Duvolks.

Why choose us?

Guidance on local regulations
Detailed process explanation
End-to-end support
Quality and cost-effective service

Let DuVolks make your Saudi business journey smooth, compliant and successful.

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Author Bio

Salman Thorop is the Founder of DuVolks, with a deep-rooted presence in Saudi Arabia since 2009. His entrepreneurial journey began in 2014 when he established his business under the SAGIA (now MISA) license. A compliance expert by profession, Salman has developed extensive expertise in Saudi Arabia’s regulatory landscape and specializes in business setup and PRO services. He maintains a keen understanding of government initiatives and policy changes through active engagement with official Saudi government Twitter handles.