Saudi Arabia has extended the grace period for renewing and regularizing expired work permits until December 31, 2026, giving employers and expatriate workers additional time to comply with the Kingdom’s labour regulations.
The decision, announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), 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.
According to the ministry, the extension is intended to improve compliance with labour laws while protecting the rights of both employers and foreign workers.
The move forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader labour market reforms aimed at strengthening legal compliance, improving employment practices, and providing businesses with sufficient time to complete the necessary administrative procedures.
The ministry has urged employers to renew existing work permits or obtain new permits for affected workers before the revised deadline. It warned that employers who fail to regularize workers’ legal status by the end of 2026 could face legal action under Saudi labour laws.
The announcement follows the implementation of stricter enforcement measures through Saudi Arabia’s Qiwa platform. Effective July 1, 2026, workers whose permits have remained expired for more than three months are automatically removed from their employers’ records.
Despite the automatic removal, employers remain responsible for paying outstanding work permit fees and fulfilling other legal obligations related to workers employed without valid permits.
Qiwa has also advised employers to clear pending government fees and complete all required procedures, including renewing work permits or transferring employee services where applicable, to avoid fines and other legal penalties.
The latest extension aligns with Saudi Arabia’s ongoing labour market modernization efforts under Vision 2030, which aim to create a more transparent, digitally managed, and legally compliant employment system while strengthening protections for both businesses and expatriate workers.
