Saudi Arabia: Expat Work Permit Correction Deadline Ends With 2026
Saudi Arabia's HRSD has given employers until the end of 2026 to fix the status of expat workers whose permits expired over a year ago or were never issued.
Saudi Arabia| Country | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|
| Organization | Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) |
| Official source | Argaam – reporting an HRSD statement ✓ argaam.com |
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) has extended a grace period for fixing the status of certain expatriate workers until the end of 2026. With about ten weeks left in the year, affected workers and employers should act now.
Who is affected
The grace period covers expat workers in two situations:
- Their work permit expired more than 12 months ago.
- They joined their employer more than six months ago but no work permit was ever issued.
What has to be done
- Employers must renew expired work permits and issue missing permits before the grace period ends.
- HRSD has warned that cases still not corrected after the deadline will face legal and regulatory action.
The ministry says the aim is to bring employment relationships in line with the labour rules and protect the rights of both workers and employers.
What workers should do
- Check your status in the official government apps or with your employer's HR department.
- If your permit has expired or was never issued, ask your employer in writing to correct it before the end of the year.
- Keep copies of your contract, salary records and any messages with your employer.
An expired work permit can affect your iqama, your ability to travel and your end-of-service rights, so do not leave this until December.
The extension was announced by HRSD in mid-2026. Check HRSD's official channels for the exact final date and any later updates.
Apply only through the official source.
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