Under the Labor Law in KSA, the legal provisions that apply to your situation are as follows:
Article 74 of Saudi Labor Law: This article states that the resignation of an employee is valid provided that it must be in written form and the employer must be made aware of it. Any dispute about the resignation would remain valid unless it is proved that the employer did not know about it.
Article 75: This article states that the worker shall have the right to terminate his/her work contract without notice if the employer fails to fulfill his obligations towards him. This includes the employer’s refusal to release or transfer your sponsorship due to their late acceptance or the neglected proper update in the Qiwa system.
Article 77: This article states that If a worker leaves his work of his own accord, then he should bear all the costs of transferring his services to another employer.
For your particular situation, you have complied with Article 74 by submitting a resignation request on qiwa and informing the HR. After the expiry of the notice period, as per Article 75, you have the right to terminate your contract if your current employer doesn't approve the request in Qiwa.
However, under Article 77, you will then be responsible for any costs related to the transfer of your employment to your new employer.
So, according to the above-mentioned laws, you have a legal right to join your new workplace after your notice period ends even if your current employer has not updated your status in Qiwa. However, any additional costs of this transfer would be your responsibility.
Still, it is advisable to maintain a good relationship with your current employer as it will facilitate a smooth transfer process, including the adjustment in Qiwa, releasing of final settlement, etc.
Remember, all above-quoted laws are in your favor and meant to protect your rights as an employee. You should use them accordingly to solve your current issue.
