Saudi gives expats until December 31 to renew expired work permits

Dhaka: Saudi Arabia has extended the deadline for renewing long-expired work permits of expatriate workers until December 31, 2026, giving thousands of foreign employees and their employers another opportunity to regularise their employment status.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh said the extension follows a special directive issued by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

Under the decision, expatriate workers whose work permits (Rukhsa Amal) expired more than 12 months ago can renew their permits during the current Gregorian year. The measure also applies to workers whose employers have suspended business operations for more than six months without renewing their work permits.

Saudi authorities said the initiative is intended to improve compliance with labor laws, safeguard the contractual rights of employers and workers, and ensure pending employment-related legal procedures are completed within a defined timeframe.

The ministry noted that the extension recognizes that many companies and expatriate workers were unable to renew work permits due to various circumstances and is part of broader efforts to increase compliance with the Kingdom's labor regulations.

The Bangladesh Embassy has advised Bangladeshi workers and their employers to complete the renewal process before the deadline to avoid legal complications.

Saudi authorities warned that employers and workers who fail to renew expired work permits within the extended grace period could face legal action after the deadline expires.