What is an absent-from-work report?
An absent-from-work report, once called huroob, is a status an employer can report when a worker stops coming to work without a valid reason; it can affect the worker’s residency and ability to change jobs.
Published by RAED ALI ALJOHANI COMPANY FOR Lawyership and Legal Consultations · Last updated
General information about Saudi law — not advice on your situation.
At a glance
- In Arabic
- تغيب عن العمل (formerly هروب)
- Said as
- taghayyub ʿan al-ʿamal (ta-GHAY-yub an al-AH-mal). The old word is huroob (hu-ROOB).
- Official channel
- Qiwa, the labour platform of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD)
- Can you use it from abroad?
- Only with a login linked to a Saudi ID or iqama. If you have left, a lawyer can usually look into it for you with a power of attorney.
Why does an absent-from-work report matter if you are a foreigner?
It matters because your right to live and work in Saudi Arabia is tied to your job. An absent-from-work report can touch 3 parts of that. It can affect your iqama, which is your residence permit. It can affect your ability to move to a new employer. And a problem with your job or employer is one of the usual causes of a travel ban. The report is not a court judgment, but it stays on your work record until it is dealt with. Leaving Saudi Arabia does not, on its own, deal with it. So check your status early, keep your records, and ask a lawyer what can still be done.
The report is made through the official labour system. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) lists Qiwa, its labour platform, among its online services. The current rules and time limits for these reports are set there, and they can change, so we do not repeat them here.
Where will you meet an absent-from-work report?
You will meet it when a job ends badly, when you try to change jobs, or when you plan to come back to Saudi Arabia:
What the report means for you, and what a lawyer checks.
Absent-from-work (huroob) reports explainedA ban linked to your job ends when the problem behind it is resolved.
How travel bans endWhere to look before you travel.
Checking for a travel ban or an open caseUnpaid salary and end-of-service pay, often linked to the same dispute.
Claims after you’ve leftWhat to check before you plan a return.
Deportation, and coming back later
Can you deal with an absent-from-work report from abroad?
Often, yes, through a lawyer. Qiwa and Absher need a login linked to your iqama, so you usually cannot check them once you have left. A lawyer holding your power of attorney can usually look into the report and any linked dispute for you. You sign the power of attorney in your own country.
Frequently asked questions
What is huroob, and is it the same as absent from work?
Yes, they are the same thing. Huroob, an Arabic word that means running away, is the old, informal name. Absent from work is a status an employer can report when a worker stops coming to work without a valid reason. It affects the worker’s residency and the ability to change jobs.
How do I check whether I have been reported absent from work (huroob)?
If you live in Saudi Arabia, sign in to Qiwa and check your status. According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Qiwa is the digital platform for the services of the Saudi labour system, where employees and employers follow their dealings. If you cannot sign in, a lawyer can often look into it for you with a power of attorney.
Source: Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development · The official website of the Ministry of HRSD
Is an absent-from-work report a criminal case?
No. It is a status an employer reports on your work record, not a court judgment. But it affects your residency and your ability to change jobs, so do not ignore it. Check your status as early as you can. See absent-from-work reports explained.
Official sources
This page draws on 2 official sources. Each line shows who publishes it, its language and, where recorded, the date we last checked it.
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development · Qiwa (labour platform) Pending verification
- Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development · The official website of the Ministry of HRSD (in Arabic and English) · checked
General information about Saudi law, not advice on your situation. Contacting us does not create a lawyer–client relationship until an engagement letter is signed.