Saudi Arabia has given some expatriate workers and employers more time to correct expired or missing work permits, extending the special grace period until December 31, 2026.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) confirmed that the extension is designed to help establishments and foreign workers regularize their employment status before enforcement measures are applied.
Who Is Covered by the New Deadline?
The extension does not apply to every worker with a recently expired permit.
According to the ministry, it specifically covers expatriate workers whose work permits have been expired for more than 12 months.
It also covers workers who joined an establishment but were not issued a work permit for more than six months from the date they joined.
These affected workers and their employers now have until December 31, 2026 to complete the required status-correction procedures.
Why Saudi Arabia Extended the Grace Period
HRSD said the additional time is intended to improve compliance with Saudi labour regulations and protect the rights of both workers and employers.
The ministry also noted that the previous correction period received a strong response, with establishments and workers taking steps to regularize their status. This contributed to the decision to provide additional time.
What Employers and Workers Should Do
Affected establishments should not wait until the end of December. HRSD has urged employers and workers to renew expired work permits or issue missing permits before the grace period ends.
Saudi Arabia provides an electronic work-permit issuance and renewal service for establishments. A valid work permit is also an important requirement in the process of issuing or renewing a regular residence permit for expatriate workers.
Employers normally complete labour-related procedures through Saudi Arabia’s digital labour services, including the Qiwa platform.
What Happens After December 31?
The ministry has warned that workers and establishments that fail to correct eligible cases within the specified period may face the statutory procedures provided under Saudi regulations.
Separately, Qiwa introduced rules from July 1, 2026 under which resident employees may be automatically removed from an establishment’s records when their work permits remain expired for more than three months, subject to applicable conditions and exceptions. Employers can also remain responsible for outstanding financial obligations.
For Pakistani and other expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia, the key date is December 31, 2026. Anyone who believes they fall under the special correction window should ask their employer to verify their status and complete the required official procedures well before the deadline.
