new resident
·6 min read
·Updated 13 May 2026
GOSI for Expats in Saudi Arabia — What You Pay and What You Get
GOSI (General Organization for Social Insurance) is the Saudi government body that manages social insurance contributions for workers in Saudi Arabia. Expats are enrolled automatically when they start working — contributions are deducted from your salary every month. This guide explains how much you contribute, what you are covered for, and how to check your GOSI statement.
Highlights
- ★GOSI is mandatory for all employees in Saudi Arabia — both Saudi nationals and expatriates. Enrollment happens automatically when your employer registers your work contract.
- ★Expat contribution rate is 2% of basic salary — employer also pays 2%, making total GOSI 4% of basic salary per month.
- ★Expat GOSI covers Occupational Hazards only — work injuries and occupational diseases. Saudi nationals get additional pension and savings branch coverage which does not apply to expats.
- ★There is no refund of GOSI contributions for expats on departure — the contributions fund the work injury insurance scheme, not a savings account.
- ★You can view your GOSI statement and contribution history online via gosi.gov.sa using your Nafath account.
- ★Your employer is legally obligated to register you with GOSI and make contributions — you can verify this on the GOSI portal.
Quick Answers
Who Is This For?
Expats working in Saudi Arabia who want to understand their GOSI contributions, what benefits apply to them, and how to access their GOSI account.
Step-by-Step Process
- 1Check your GOSI enrollment — log in to gosi.gov.sa using your Nafath account (or via the GOSI mobile app). Your employer should have registered you with GOSI when you started. If no account exists or no contributions are showing, contact your HR department — your employer is legally required to enroll you.
- 2Verify your registered basic salary — your GOSI contributions are calculated on your basic salary as declared by your employer. In the GOSI portal, confirm the salary figure matches your employment contract. Employers sometimes declare only the basic salary component, which is correct — allowances are excluded from GOSI calculations.
- 3Check your contribution history — in the GOSI portal or app, view your monthly contribution records. Each entry shows the month, your contribution (2% of basic salary), and your employer's contribution (2%). If months are missing, this is a compliance issue — raise it with HR and, if unresolved, report to MHRSD.
- 4Understand your occupational hazard coverage — as an expat, your GOSI benefit is work injury coverage. If you are injured at work or develop an occupational disease, report it to your employer immediately. Your employer reports the accident to GOSI. GOSI then coordinates your medical treatment and any disability compensation.
- 5Report any workplace injury promptly — work injury must be reported to your employer within 48 hours (or as soon as possible). Delayed reporting can affect your GOSI claim. Your employer reports to GOSI on your behalf — if they fail to do so, you can report directly through the GOSI portal.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Expecting a GOSI refund when leaving Saudi Arabia — expat GOSI contributions are not refundable. This is a common misconception. Your end-of-service gratuity (paid by employer, not GOSI) is the departure payment you are entitled to.
- ✗Confusing GOSI coverage with health insurance — GOSI covers work injuries only. Your regular health insurance (provided by your employer) covers non-work-related medical expenses. These are two separate systems.
- ✗Not checking whether your employer is making GOSI contributions — some employers delay or skip contributions. You would only discover this when you need to make a claim. Check your GOSI statement every few months.
- ✗Not reporting a workplace injury because it seems minor — work injuries should be documented and reported even if minor, as complications or longer-term effects may arise. Reporting does not automatically mean a claim — it creates a record.
- ✗Assuming GOSI covers your dependents — GOSI coverage is for the enrolled employee only. Your dependents are covered by your private health insurance policy, not GOSI.
Timing & Fees
Contribution rate: 2% employee + 2% employer = 4% of basic salary monthly. GOSI registration: done by employer when you start — no action needed by employee. GOSI portal access: free via Nafath login at gosi.gov.sa. GOSI app: free on iOS and Android. Contribution refund on departure: SAR 0 (none for expats).
Directory
Saudi government body managing social insurance. Expat portal available at gosi.gov.sa. Login via Nafath. GOSI app available on iOS and Android. Helpline: 920003212.
Practical Tips
- 💡Check your GOSI statement at least once a quarter — log in to gosi.gov.sa and confirm contributions are being made monthly. It takes 5 minutes and catches employer non-compliance early.
- 💡Your GOSI-registered salary is your official salary on record with the Saudi government — ensure it matches your employment contract. Discrepancies can affect your end-of-service gratuity calculation.
- 💡If you are injured at work, insist that your employer reports it to GOSI immediately — do not accept the employer's assurance to handle it informally. You need the official GOSI record for any compensation claim.
- 💡The GOSI app (available in English) gives you contribution history, insured salary, and claims status all in one place — download it and log in with your Nafath credentials.
- 💡When negotiating a new employment contract, ask for your basic salary to be clearly defined — this is the figure on which both GOSI contributions and end-of-service gratuity are calculated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GOSI contribution rate for expats?
Expatriate employees contribute 2% of their basic salary to GOSI each month. The employer also contributes 2% on the employee's behalf. The total contribution is 4% of basic salary — split equally between employee and employer. Contributions are calculated on basic salary only, not on housing allowance, transport allowance, or other package components.
Do Saudi nationals pay the same GOSI rate?
No — Saudi nationals have a higher GOSI rate because they are enrolled in both the Occupational Hazards branch and the Annuity (pension) branch. Saudi employees pay 9% and employers pay 9%, totalling 18% of salary. Expats are only in the Occupational Hazards branch at 2%+2%. The pension branch is not available to expats.
What happens if my employer doesn't pay GOSI?
Non-payment of GOSI contributions is a violation of Saudi Labour Law. Your employer is liable for penalties. You can check whether contributions are being paid through the GOSI portal. If you find missing contributions, contact HR first. If unresolved, file a complaint with MHRSD (helpline 19911) or through the Qiwa platform.
Am I covered by GOSI if I am injured going to or from work?
Yes — commuting accidents (on the way to or from work) are covered under the Occupational Hazards branch, not just accidents at the workplace itself. The key condition is that the accident occurred during the normal commute route and timing. Report any commuting accident to your employer immediately.
Can I access my GOSI account without Nafath?
No — the GOSI portal (gosi.gov.sa) requires Nafath verification for login. If you do not have a Nafath account yet, set it up first (see the Nafath account guide). Once logged in with Nafath, you can view your full contribution history, registered salary, and any claims.
Is there any benefit for expats in GOSI beyond work injury?
Currently no — the expat GOSI scheme covers Occupational Hazards only. Saudi Arabia has discussed expanding expat GOSI benefits, but as of 2026, the scheme for expatriates remains limited to work injury coverage. Saudi nationals have access to the Annuity (pension) branch which is not available to expat workers.