Saudi Arabia Extends Work Permit Fix Deadline to 2026

Saudi Arabia has extended the grace period for rectifying expired or missing work permits for expatriate workers until 31 December 2026, giving employers additional time to correct the status of affected employees before penalties apply.

The extension covers two main cases: workers whose work permits have been expired for more than 12 months, and workers who joined an establishment but were not issued a work permit within six months of starting work. Employers must issue or renew these permits and correct related status before the deadline, otherwise prescribed penalties and statutory procedures will apply.

How to rectify permits

The main channel is the Qiwa digital labor platform. Employers log in to review establishment employee lists, identify expired or missing work permits, and issue or renew them within permitted periods. Automatic removal from establishment records for permits expired more than three months began on 1 July 2026, while enforcement of long-lapsed cases is aligned with the extended deadline.

Expatriate workers can check their own status and residency information through Absher, though the actual permit issuance or renewal must be carried out by the employer. For unresolved cases or non-cooperating employers, workers and employers can contact HRSD via the 19911 service line or visit labor offices.

As a 2026 reference, the base ministry fee for issuing or renewing a work permit is SAR 100, payable via Sadad. Iqama issuance or renewal for an employee is SAR 51.75 plus applicable service fees, while domestic worker Iqama renewal is SAR 600. Where applicable, the employer work permit levy is SAR 800 the monthly dependent fee is SAR 400 and the first sponsorship transfer fee is SAR 2,000.

Employers are advised to review all expatriate employees in Qiwa, initiate issuance or renewal for each affected worker, and ensure the corresponding Iqama remains valid to stay compliant ahead of the deadline.

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