Saudi Arabia’s Qiwa platform has reminded employers that Tuesday, June 30, 2026, is the final deadline to regularize the status of employees whose work permits have expired.
From Wednesday, July 1, Qiwa will begin automatically removing workers from an establishment’s records if their work permit has remained expired for more than three months. The measure is part of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s efforts to improve compliance in the labor market.
What employers must do before June 30
Employers should complete one of the following before the deadline:
- Renew the employee’s work permit.
- Transfer the employee’s services to another employer, if applicable.
- Pay any outstanding work permit fees and complete the required procedures through Qiwa.
What happens from July 1?
If a worker’s work permit has been expired for more than three months, Qiwa will automatically remove the worker from the employer’s records.
However, removal from the establishment’s records does not cancel the employer’s financial responsibilities. The employer will remain liable for all outstanding fees and financial obligations that accumulated while the employee was working without a valid work permit, up to the date of removal.
Exception to the rule
Qiwa clarified that a worker will not be automatically removed if:
- The work permit expires before the Iqama, and
- The employee’s Iqama remains valid for at least 180 days, even if the work permit cannot currently be renewed.
However, if the remaining validity of the Iqama is less than 180 days, the employer must renew both the Iqama and the work permit to avoid further action.
Qiwa’s advice to employers
Qiwa urged employers to act before the deadline by:
- Renewing expired work permits.
- Transferring employee services where necessary.
- Settling any outstanding work permit fees.
The platform warned that delaying these procedures could lead to automatic removal of employees from establishment records, as well as legal and financial consequences for employers.
Source: Saudi Gazette, citing Qiwa Platform / Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.