Saudi Arabia has given employers more time to fix foreign worker permit issues, extending the compliance deadline to 31 December 2026. The previous cutoff was June 2026. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced the change as part of its wider labour-market reforms.
The extension applies to expatriate workers whose permits expired more than a year ago, as well as employees who have not been issued a permit within six months of joining. Employers can now renew expired permits or complete registrations without workers being immediately removed from company records on the Qiwa digital labour platform. Automatic removal will only begin after the new deadline.
Authorities have urged businesses to use this grace period to review workforce records and close compliance gaps. Companies that fail to meet the deadline could face penalties, enforcement action, and removal of affected workers from Qiwa, which may disrupt workforce planning and employee legal status.
The move comes amid tighter labour rules. In June, Saudi Arabia ended exemptions for Premium Residency holders, requiring them to obtain separate work permits. Employers hiring foreign nationals without valid permits can now be fined SR10,000 (about US$2,666) per worker. Other violations include undocumented contracts, illegal recruitment, child labour, confiscation of passports, and breaches of maternity protections. Fines of SR1,000 (about US$266) apply for failing to digitally register contracts.
The extension offers temporary relief but signals stricter enforcement ahead. Employers must act quickly to align with Saudi Arabia’s evolving labour framework, which is central to its Vision 2030 agenda for economic diversification and workforce governance.