Approval-Based Limits are a unique way of controlling company spending in SiFi. Instead of being tied to daily, monthly, or annual cycles, the cardholder’s spending limit is only reset once expenses have been reviewed and approved by the designated approvers.

This ensures tighter financial control and prevents overspending before proper approval.

🔎 What Is an Approval-Based Limit?

• Unlike time-based limits (daily/monthly/annual), approval-based limits don’t reset automatically.

• The limit resets only after approvers review and approve the expenses charged on that card.

• Until then, the cardholder cannot spend beyond the initial limit assigned.

👉 Think of it as a “spend → submit → approve → reset” cycle.

🎯 Why Use Approval-Based Limits?

Approval-Based Limits are ideal when:

• Employees are given a defined exposure limit (e.g., petty cash, small procurement).

• You want to ensure all expenses are reviewed before more funds are released.

• The company wants to prevent unapproved or untracked spending.

• There’s a need to mirror traditional petty cash processes, but digitally through cards.

📊 Example Scenarios

Example 1: Petty Cash Limit

• Employee is issued a SiFi card with a 5,000 SAR approval-based limit.

• They spend 4,500 SAR on supplies.

• The approver reviews and approves these expenses.

• ✅ Once approved, the card limit resets back to 5,000 SAR.

Example 2: Expenses Without Approval

• Employee spends 3,000 SAR out of a 5,000 SAR limit.

• They do not submit receipts or details.

• ❌ The card will remain blocked at 2,000 SAR available balance until the pending expenses are approved.

📝 How to Set an Approval-Based Limit

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1. Login to SiFi (Web or Mobile).

2. Go to Cards and select the card you want to update.

3. Click on Update limit.

4. Choose Approval-Based Limit.

5. Enter the limit amount (e.g., 5,000 SAR).

6. Assign the approval policy that applies (who will approve these expenses).

7. Save and confirm.

👉 From now on, the cardholder’s limit will reset only after approval of their submitted expenses.

🛠️ Key Features

• Works seamlessly with SiFi’s approval policies.

• Notifications are sent to cardholders when they are close to the limit.

• Receipts & Notes compliance are enforced — unsubmitted items may trigger auto-locks.

• Admins can view the Approval Status before a limit is reset.

⚠️ Important Considerations

• If approvers delay approvals, employees may be unable to use their card even for legitimate expenses.

• Approval-Based Limits are best for controlled spenders (procurement staff, event budgets, project-based spend).

• Admins and Finance Managers can temporarily unlock or override limits if urgent.

• Works alongside category restrictions, country restrictions, and card controls.

🛡️ Benefits for Companies

• Stronger budget discipline, spending is fully reviewed before being replenished.

• Reduced risk of overspending or policy breaches.

• Improved audit readiness with a clear spend → approve → reset trail.

• Digitally replaces cash advances/petty cash processes.

💬 Need help configuring Approval-Based Limits? Contact us at support@sifi.sa or call 920031030.