Saudi Arabia Extends Work Permit Grace Period Until December 31, 2026

Saudi Arabia has pushed back the deadline for employers to regularise expired work permits, giving businesses and foreign workers an extra six months to fix compliance issues.

The Ministry has extended the grace period until December 31, 2026, replacing the earlier June 30, 2026 deadline. The move applies to foreign employees whose work permits expired more than 12 months ago or who did not receive a work permit within 6 months of joining an employer.

Saudi Work Permit Deadline Extended

Under the previous timeline, foreign workers whose permits had remained expired for more than three months were due to be automatically removed from their employers’ records in the Qiwa portal after June 30.

That automatic cleanup has now been postponed until the end of the year, giving employers more time to renew or issue missing work permits.

Employers Should Act Before December 31

Saudi employers are expected to review their workforce records and complete any pending work permit formalities before December 31, 2026. Missing the revised deadline could lead to:

• Financial penalties
• Compliance action by authorities
• Removal of affected workers from employer records in the Qiwa system

Saudi Arabia has increasingly favoured temporary compliance windows while tightening long-term enforcement, giving businesses time to adapt before stricter action follows.

Why This Matters for Foreign Workers

India is one of Saudi Arabia’s largest sources of expatriate workers, with millions employed across construction, healthcare, hospitality, retail, and engineering.

For Indian nationals already working in Saudi Arabia, the extension offers employers another opportunity to restore legal work status and avoid administrative complications. It does not create a new visa or work permit category, but it can help eligible workers remain compliant if their employer acts before the deadline.

Travelobiz Take

We see this extension as practical relief rather than a policy shift. If you’re an Indian worker in Saudi Arabia, I would encourage confirming your work permit status with your employer well before December 31, 2026.