RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) has extended the deadline until the end of 2026 for employers to regularize the status of expatriate workers whose work permits have been expired for more than 12 months.

The extension also covers expatriate employees who have not received a work permit within six months of joining an establishment.

According to the ministry, the additional grace period is intended to improve compliance with labor regulations, safeguard the rights of both employers and workers, and provide businesses with more time to complete the required legal procedures.

The ministry said the decision also reflects its continued efforts to strengthen labor market compliance following positive responses from establishments and workers that have already taken steps to correct their employment status.

Employers have been urged to renew or issue work permits before the revised deadline expires. The ministry warned that failure to regularize workers’ status by the end of 2026 will result in the enforcement of the applicable legal penalties.

The announcement follows a recent notice from the Qiwa platform, which stated that, beginning July 1, workers whose permits have remained expired for more than three months would be removed automatically from employers’ records.

Under Qiwa’s regulations, employers will continue to be responsible for any outstanding financial obligations related to workers employed without valid work permits, even after those workers are removed from the establishment’s records.

Qiwa has advised employers to clear any outstanding work permit fees and complete the necessary procedures, including renewing work permits or transferring workers’ services when applicable, to avoid legal action and financial penalties.