Saudi Arabia to remove workers from employer records as July 1 permit rule takes effect

Saudi Arabia will begin automatically removing workers from employers' establishment records if their work permits have remained expired for more than three months, under a new enforcement measure that takes effect on July 1, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development's Qiwa platform has announced.

The move follows the expiry of a compliance deadline on June 30, giving employers a final opportunity to renew expired work permits or transfer employees' services before the new procedures come into force.

According to Qiwa, workers whose permits have been expired for over three months will be automatically deregistered from their employers' records starting Wednesday. However, employers will continue to bear full financial responsibility for any outstanding obligations and fees accumulated during the period the worker remained employed without a valid work permit.

The platform urged businesses to regularise the status of affected employees before the deadline to avoid legal action and additional financial liabilities.

Qiwa also outlined an exception to the automatic removal process. Workers will not be removed from an establishment's records if their residency permit (Iqama) remains valid for at least 180 days, even if the work permit has expired and cannot immediately be renewed due to administrative reasons.

However, where the remaining validity of the residency permit falls below 180 days, employers will be required to renew both the residency permit and the work permit to prevent further regulatory action.

The platform reiterated that resident employees working with expired permits, or without a valid work permit for more than three months, will have their registrations automatically cancelled from their employers' records. Despite the cancellation, companies will remain liable for all unpaid work permit fees and related obligations incurred during the period of non-compliance.

The latest enforcement measure forms part of Saudi Arabia's broader efforts to strengthen labour market compliance, improve workforce governance, and ensure employers maintain valid employment documentation for all workers.

Qiwa has advised employers to immediately settle any outstanding work permit fees and either renew affected employees' permits or complete service transfers before the July 1 implementation date to avoid penalties.