Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has extended the deadline until the end of 2026 for employers and expatriate workers to correct work permit violations.
The extension applies to foreign workers whose work permits expired more than 12 months ago. It also covers workers who were not issued work permits within six months of joining an establishment.
The ministry said the decision is part of efforts to strengthen the implementation of labour laws and improve compliance across the Saudi labour market.
It said the move will give establishments and workers more time to complete legal procedures, while protecting the rights of all parties to employment contracts.
Employers urged to complete procedures
Authorities urged all organizations and workers to complete every stage of renewing or issuing work permits before the revised deadline expires.
The ministry warned that failure to regularize workers’ legal status by the end of 2026 will result in applicable legal measures.
Qiwa rules remain in place
The extension comes after the Qiwa platform announced that workers with expired work permits would begin being automatically removed from employers’ records from July 1 if their permits had remained expired for more than three months.
Under Qiwa regulations, employers remain responsible for outstanding financial obligations linked to workers employed without valid permits, even after their records are removed from company files.
Qiwa has advised employers to settle pending work permit fees and complete required procedures, including renewals or worker service transfers where applicable, to avoid legal action and financial penalties.
