Saudi Arabia has extended the deadline until the end of 2026 for employers and expatriate workers to correct work permit violations, giving thousands of foreign workers additional time to regularise their legal employment status. The decision was announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development as part of efforts to strengthen labour law compliance and improve regulation across the country’s job market.
The extension applies to expatriate workers whose work permits expired more than 12 months ago, as well as employees who were not issued work permits within six months of joining an establishment. Authorities said the additional time will help employers complete legal procedures while protecting the rights and obligations of both workers and businesses under employment contracts.
Meanwhile, the ministry urged employers and workers to complete all required procedures, including renewing existing permits or issuing new ones, before the revised deadline expires. It warned that anyone who fails to regularise their employment status by the end of 2026 will face legal action in accordance with the country’s labour regulations.
The announcement comes after the Qiwa platform confirmed that workers whose permits remained expired for more than three months would automatically be removed from employers’ records starting July 1. However, authorities clarified that employers will still remain responsible for any unpaid financial obligations linked to those workers, even after their records are removed from company files.
Qiwa has also advised employers to settle outstanding work permit fees and complete all pending procedures, including permit renewals or worker service transfers where necessary. Officials said complying with these requirements before the deadline will help businesses avoid legal action, financial penalties and administrative complications while ensuring workers maintain valid legal status in Saudi Arabia.