Some foreign workers in Saudi Arabia have until December 31, 2026, to correct the status of expired or unissued work permits.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced the extension to give affected establishments and workers more time to complete the required procedures.
However, the deadline does not automatically extend every expired Saudi work permit.
Which foreign workers are covered?
According to the official HRSD announcement, the extended correction period covers two groups.
The first group includes expatriate workers whose work permits expired more than 12 months ago.
The second group includes expatriates who were not issued a work permit for more than six months from the date they joined an establishment.
Foreign workers who fall into either group should contact their employer immediately to check their recorded status.
Workers with a recent expiry or a different employment issue should not assume they qualify under this extension.
Does the foreign worker process the permit?
The employer or establishment is responsible for issuing and renewing the work permit.
- The process is completed through the official Qiwa Work Permits service.
- The employer must sign in to its Qiwa business account, select the establishment and open the Work Permits service.
- It can then select the affected worker, submit the issuance or renewal request and obtain a payment number.
Required fees are paid through an approved Saudi bank.
Workers should ask their employer for confirmation that the request and payment were completed.
Work permit is different from Iqama
A Saudi work permit and an Iqama are connected, but they are not the same document.
The work permit gives an expatriate legal authorization to work under an establishment.
A valid work permit is also one of the requirements for issuing or renewing an Iqama.
Correcting the work permit does not mean that the Iqama has already been renewed.
The employer may still need to complete residency procedures after the work-permit status has been updated.
What happens after December 31?
The ministry said failure to correct the affected permit by the deadline will lead to the procedures required under Saudi regulations.
It did not describe a single penalty that would apply to every case.
The result may depend on the worker’s record, the establishment’s status and the reason the permit was not issued or renewed.
Foreign workers should avoid paying unofficial agents who promise to correct a permit without the employer or Qiwa.
Workers should first check their status with their employer and review their Qiwa account.
If the company refuses to act or provides unclear information, the worker may contact HRSD through its official channels.
What affected foreign workers should do now is ask their employer to verify whether they qualify and complete the correction before December 31, 2026.