Work Permit Correction Deadline Extended to End of 2026

Saudi Living reports that the grace period to correct expired or missing work permits has been extended until 31 December 2026, giving expatriate workers and employers more time to regularize their status without deregistration.

The extension applies to expatriate workers whose work permits have been expired for more than 12 months, and to workers who joined an establishment but were not issued a work permit within six months of starting their job. Both categories now have until the end of 2026 to bring their records in order.

However, a stricter compliance rule takes effect from 1 July 2026. From that date, قوى will automatically deregister any worker whose work permit has been expired for more than three months if the status is not corrected. Deregistration does not cancel the employer's financial obligations; the establishment remains liable for all amounts accumulated during the expiry period.

Key rules and timing

Work permits can be renewed through قوى up to 180 days before expiry, and renewal is possible even while the employee is outside the Kingdom. The automatic removal rule is linked to iqama validity: if a work permit expires but the iqama still has more than 180 days remaining, automatic removal does not yet apply. Once iqama validity drops below 180 days, exposure to automatic removal begins.

قوى remains the main platform for issuing, renewing, correcting and cancelling work permits, sponsorship transfers, and workforce reports. أبشر is used by workers to check iqama and residency status. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is the competent authority, with support available via customer service number 19911 and labour offices.

On costs, the ministry base fee for issuing or renewing a work permit is SAR 100 via Sadad, with additional levies and service fees. The monthly expatriate work permit levy is SAR 800 the dependent fee is SAR 400 and the first sponsorship transfer fee is SAR 2,000. Total amounts due during regularization are calculated in قوى before payment.

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