Saudi Arabia extends the deadline for labor migrants until the end of 2026
The Ministry of Human Resources of Saudi Arabia has expanded the grace period for employers and migrants to regularize the status of expired work permits and complete the necessary legal procedures.
New deadline and regularization conditions
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of Saudi Arabia has announced an extension of the grace period until the end of 2026 for employers and foreign workers who need to regularize the status of expired work permits. This applies to both workers whose permits expired more than 12 months ago and those who did not obtain a permit within the first six months of starting work. The decision provides additional time to complete all necessary legal procedures and strengthen compliance with the labor legislation of the Kingdom.
Protection of employers' and employees' rights
The extension of the grace period is part of a comprehensive strategy by the ministry to protect the interests of both employers and employees. The ministry notes that it has already received positive feedback from many companies and employees who have begun the process of regularizing their status. However, the ministry warned that after the deadline at the end of 2026, all applicable legal measures will be applied to those who do not comply with the requirements.
Qiwa platform and automatic removal from the registry
Just days before the announcement of the extension, the Qiwa platform reported that from July 1, automatic removal of workers with expired permits from the employers' registry would begin if their permits remain expired for more than three months. It is important to note that employers remain responsible for all financial obligations incurred while working with employees without valid permits, even after their records are removed from the system. The platform recommends that employers urgently settle debts and complete the necessary permit renewal procedures.
Recommendations for employers and employees
The ministry strongly recommends that all employers update or issue work permits before the revised deadline. Workers, for their part, should check the status of their documents and ensure that their permits are in order. Failure to comply with these requirements may lead not only to legal consequences but also to financial penalties. The regularization process includes payment of necessary fees, updating permits, or, if necessary, transferring labor services to another employer.
Frequently asked questions
Who does this extension apply to?
The extension applies to employers and foreign workers whose work permits expired more than 12 months ago, as well as workers who did not obtain a permit within the first six months of work. The grace period is valid until the end of 2026.
What penalties are there for non-compliance?
After the deadline at the end of 2026, all applicable legal measures will be applied. Employers remain responsible for all financial obligations, including penalties for working with employees without valid permits.
How to check the permit status through the Qiwa platform?
Employers and workers can check the status of permits through the Qiwa portal. If necessary, the process of renewing the permit or settling debts should be initiated immediately to avoid automatic removal from the registry.
