Riyadh, September 13, 2026. The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has issued a reminder regarding the mandatory 90-day work permit timeline for new expatriate employees. Under official guidelines, an employing establishment must issue a work permit for a new expatriate employee within 90 days of their entry into the Kingdom. Consequently, Indian employees who arrived in Saudi Arabia around mid-June 2026 are nearing this statutory deadline.
- Employers must issue work permits within 90 days of entry
- Indian workers arriving in mid-June 2026 face approaching deadlines
- Employers must cover all permit and recruitment costs under labor law
Employers are responsible for issuing or renewing work licenses through the Qiwa platform. This process is essential for the legal employment of non-Saudi workers and is linked to the issuance and renewal of Iqamas, which are residency permits.
Employees are advised to verify their employment status via Qiwa and confirm their Iqama processing stage. Workers should note their specific entry date in their passports to track the 90-day count, as arrival dates vary by individual. Under Article 40 of the Saudi Labour Law, the costs associated with recruitment, Iqama issuance and renewal, and work permit issuance and renewal are the sole responsibility of the employer. Employees should not pay these government fees. If an employer attempts to deduct these costs from salary, employees are advised to keep digital records of payslips, bank statements, and receipts. Employers are prohibited from passing these recruitment or permit costs onto the worker.
If the 90-day period expires without a permit, employees should request a written status update from their employer regarding application delays. Workers may also contact the Ministry via the unified contact number 19911 or through Qiwa support. It is noted that a separate correction window, announced on August 10, 2026, allows for the regularization of cases where work permits have been expired for over 12 months or remained unissued for more than six months; however, this does not override the standard 90-day rule for new hires.
Employees are strongly advised to keep digital copies of their passport bio page, entry stamp, employment visa, Qiwa contract, employer details, medical records, insurance documents, and salary records. They are warned not to share Absher, Nafath, or Qiwa login credentials or OTPs with unofficial agents or middlemen. Verification should be conducted exclusively through the employer’s authorized HR channels or official Ministry platforms.
