Saudi Arabia Extends Work Permit Compliance Deadline to December 31, 2026
In a major relief for businesses and foreign workers, the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) has officially extended the grace period to regularize expired or missing work permits until December 31, 2026.
The previous deadline of June 30, 2026, has been pushed back by six months to allow employers to bring their workforce into full legal compliance without disruption.
What is the Work Permit Regularization?
This initiative allows employers to update the legal status of expatriate workers who fall under two specific categories:
Workers whose work permits expired more than 12 months ago.
Employees who were not issued a work permit within six months of joining their current establishment.
Under normal rules, workers with expired permits for more than three months are automatically removed from their employer's register on the Qiwa portal, which makes their residency illegal. The extension temporarily pauses this automatic removal.
Consequences of Missing the Dec 31, 2026 Deadline
Employers and employees who do not utilize this extended grace period face severe penalties starting January 2027:
Heavy Financial Fines: Cumulative penalties per non-compliant worker.
Blocked Qiwa Services: The employer will be unable to issue new visas, transfer sponsorships, or renew existing Iqamas.
Automatic Removal: Affected workers will be deleted from Qiwa records, leading to immediate residency violation and risk of deportation.
Action Steps for Expats
If you suspect your work permit is irregular or has been expired for a long period, contact your employer's HR or PRO immediately. Ensure they take advantage of the December 2026 extension to submit renewals through the MHRSD portal.