Article 8 of the Saudi Unemployment Insurance Law

This Article is the heart of the Law, as it sets the conditions that must all be met by a subscriber to be entitled to compensation:

1. Being of Saudi nationality.
2. Completing the periods set in Article 14: 12 months of work within the 36 months before the first claim, 18 months for the second, 24 months within 36 months for the third, and 36 months within 48 months for any later claim.
3. Not having been dismissed for a reason attributable to the subscriber.
4. Not having income from work or a private business.
5. Not having left work of their own free will.
6. Being able to work.
7. Not having reached the age of sixty.
8. Registering with the Ministry.
9. Seriously searching for work.
10. Complying with the training the Ministry specifies.
11. Abiding by the instructions and directions the Ministry issues.

These conditions are consistent with the definition of unemployment in Article 1: losing work for a reason beyond one's control while being able and willing to work and looking for work. Someone who resigned of their own free will, or was dismissed for a reason attributable to them, does not meet one of the conditions. The details of applying these conditions are set by the Implementing Regulations, as paragraph 2 provides.

Entitlement begins on the first day of the month following the date the conditions are met, according to Article 9. Because the reason a relationship ended can be disputed, it is wise to consult a lawyer specialized in social insurance if there is a dispute.