Resignation Letter Template in Saudi Arabia

This guide provides a formal resignation letter sample you can copy and customize, a shorter version for personal reasons, and practical guidance on submitting your request and protecting your employment rights before leaving your job.

Ready-to-Use Resignation Letter Template

If you work in Saudi Arabia’s private sector and need a clear, professional resignation letter, you can adapt the following sample to your circumstances after reviewing your employment contract.

Resignation requests are governed by the provisions of the Saudi Labor Law. It is important to distinguish a resignation request from the termination of an indefinite-term employment contract by notice.

Formal Resignation Letter for Private-Sector Employees

Formal Resignation Letter

Date: [Date of submission]

To: [Manager’s name or Human Resources Department]

Company: [Company name]

Subject: Employment Resignation Request

Dear [Manager’s Name / Human Resources Department],

I hereby submit my resignation request from my position as [Job Title] at [Company Name], expressing my intention to end my employment relationship in accordance with the applicable provisions of Saudi Labor Law.

I appreciate the opportunities and cooperation provided by the company and my colleagues throughout my employment. I will continue to fulfill my professional obligations while my employment contract remains in effect and will cooperate in handing over my duties, documents, and company property in accordance with the applicable procedures.

Please process my resignation request, inform me of the action taken, and arrange for the settlement of my statutory employment entitlements upon termination of the contractual relationship.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Employee Name: [Full Name]

Job Title: [Job Title]

Employee ID: [If applicable]

Signature: [For a paper submission]

You can use the following Arabic-language versions of the resignation letter:

• Download the Arabic resignation letter template in Word format to edit and complete the form.
• Download the Arabic resignation letter template in PDF format for printing and completion.

When preparing your resignation request, avoid specifying a deferred effective date. Article 79 bis of the Saudi Labor Law does not permit a resignation request to specify a future effective date. You should also retain a dated copy of your request and evidence of its submission.

Short Resignation Letter for Personal Reasons

You may prefer not to disclose the details of your personal circumstances. In that case, a short resignation letter can communicate your decision clearly while maintaining a professional relationship with your employer.

Short Resignation Letter

Date: [Date of submission]

To: [Company Name / Human Resources Department]

Subject: Resignation Request

Dear [Manager’s Name / Human Resources Department],

I hereby submit my resignation request from my position as [Job Title] at [Company Name] for personal reasons.

Thank you for the cooperation and support I have received during my employment. Please process my request in accordance with Saudi Labor Law and arrange for the settlement of my statutory entitlements when the employment relationship ends.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Employee Name: [Full Name]

Signature: [If required]

This sample can also be adapted for family circumstances or a move to another job opportunity without disclosing unnecessary personal information.

How to Write a Resignation Letter in Saudi Arabia

Writing a resignation letter begins with identifying the employee and the intended recipient, followed by a clear statement requesting resignation. A professional letter does not need lengthy explanations or detailed personal reasons.

Your resignation letter should generally include:

1. Submission date: The date on which the request is made.
2. Employer’s details: The name of the company or department receiving the request.
3. Employee information: Your full name and job title.
4. Clear resignation request: An unambiguous statement of your intention to resign.
5. Contact information: Details that allow the employer to respond.
6. Signature: When submitting a paper document.

Keep a record showing when the letter was submitted. Avoid including a broad waiver of employment rights or specifying a deferred resignation date that conflicts with the applicable statutory provisions.

If your intention is simply not to renew a fixed-term employment contract, review the renewal provisions first. Non-renewal and resignation are not necessarily the same legal procedure.

How to Submit a Resignation Request in Saudi Arabia

Before submitting your resignation letter, review your employment contract and determine which termination procedure applies.

You may submit a written request through your employer’s approved administrative channels, keeping a copy and evidence of delivery.

Where the employment relationship is eligible for electronic services, employees may use the Contractual Relationship Termination Service provided by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development through the Qiwa platform.

The process generally involves logging into Qiwa Individuals, accessing your employment contracts, selecting the relevant contract, choosing the appropriate termination reason, and completing the required information before submitting the request.

Selecting the correct termination reason is essential. Resignation, non-renewal, termination by notice, and termination by mutual agreement have different legal implications.

When Is a Resignation Accepted Under Saudi Labor Law?

Under Article 79 bis of the Saudi Labor Law, a resignation request is deemed accepted if the employer does not respond within 30 days of its submission.

The employer may postpone acceptance for up to 60 days where business interests require it, provided the employee receives a written, reasoned explanation before the initial 30-day period expires.

An employee may also withdraw a resignation request within 7 days of submission, unless the employer has already accepted it before the withdrawal.

These provisions are set out in the Saudi Labor Law published by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

The employment contract remains in effect while the resignation request is under consideration, and both parties must continue fulfilling their contractual obligations until the relationship legally ends.

The effective termination date may therefore depend on whether the employer accepts the request, whether a postponement meets the statutory requirements, and whether the employee exercises the right to withdraw. These distinctions are particularly important when considering the rules governing resignation under Saudi Labor Law and their effect on the employment relationship.

When Is a Resignation Letter Not the Appropriate Procedure?

A standard resignation letter is not suitable for every employee who intends to leave a job. The correct legal procedure depends on the employment contract and the circumstances surrounding its termination.

For an indefinite-term employment contract, Article 75 governs termination by notice, subject to its statutory requirements and notice periods. A resignation request, by contrast, is governed by Article 79 bis.

If your fixed-term contract is approaching its expiry date, the relevant issue may instead be non-renewal of an employment contract. You should review any renewal clause and applicable contractual conditions before submitting a request.

Where wages remain unpaid or the employer has materially breached its obligations, the circumstances may require consideration of Article 81 of the Saudi Labor Law. This provision allows an employee to leave without notice while retaining statutory rights in specified circumstances.

Simply describing a request as an “immediate resignation” does not automatically establish that Article 81 applies. Review your employment contract, salary records, and relevant correspondence before stopping work or signing a final settlement.

What Should You Check Before Submitting Your Resignation?

Preparing an employee resignation letter is only one part of ending an employment relationship. You should also review any rights and financial entitlements that may become payable when your contract ends.

Start by checking outstanding wages, unused annual leave, end-of-service benefits, and any company property or documents that must be returned.

Articles 84 and 85 of the Saudi Labor Law address end-of-service benefits, while Article 88 governs the settlement of employment entitlements following termination.

If you have unused annual leave, the provisions of Article 111 of the Saudi Labor Law address an employee’s entitlement to payment for accrued leave days that were not taken, subject to the applicable rules.

Before signing a final settlement or clearance document, check the amounts listed and retain your employment contract, salary records, and relevant correspondence in case a dispute arises.

Frequently Asked Questions About Resignation Letters in Saudi Arabia

A resignation letter template in Saudi Arabia gives you a practical starting point for making a clear, written request. However, choosing the correct legal procedure for your contract is just as important as drafting the letter itself. Proper submission, documentation, and review of your entitlements can help you make a more informed decision.

If you are dealing with unpaid wages, a disagreement over your resignation, or uncertainty about how terminating your contract may affect your benefits, BMS Legal for Law and Legal Consultations provides employment law advice and document review to help you understand your options before proceeding.

Do you need help assessing your employment situation before resigning?

You can contact BMS Legal’s team in Jeddah to discuss your circumstances and identify the relevant documents and next steps. You can also learn more about the firm’s employment lawyer services in Jeddah.