Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has explained the requirements for issuing and renewing expatriate work permits, an essential administrative service for employers. A valid work permit is one of the requirements associated with obtaining or renewing a foreign employee’s legal residence permit in the Kingdom.

According to the ministry’s official service information, employers can complete work permit issuance and renewal electronically through the Qiwa platform without visiting a ministry office. The service is intended for eligible establishments that meet the applicable labor market regulations.

The ministry lists a service fee of SAR 100 for work permit issuance or renewal. However, this amount should not be confused with the separate expatriate labor levy, which may apply according to the relevant regulations, employee category and exemptions. Therefore, SAR 100 does not necessarily represent the total amount payable.

The ministry specifies that work permit renewal becomes available when 180 days or fewer remain before the permit expires. Employers must also issue a work permit for a newly arrived expatriate employee within the first 90 days following entry into Saudi Arabia.

To complete the renewal, an employer or authorized representative logs into Qiwa, selects the establishment and accesses the work permit issuance or renewal service. The employer then identifies the relevant employees, submits the application, obtains the payment reference and settles the applicable charges through authorized banking channels.

Eligibility requirements include maintaining an active establishment, meeting the ministry’s regulatory conditions and complying with the Wage Protection Program. Establishments classified in the red category under the Nitaqat system are not permitted to issue or renew expatriate work permits.

The ministry describes electronic service processing as immediate once the applicable requirements are satisfied. Following payment, the renewed permit status normally appears on Qiwa within approximately one hour, while payment information may take up to 24 hours to be reflected in the immigration authorities’ systems.

Official guidance also states that a work permit cannot be cancelled after it has been issued or renewed. Completing the work permit procedure does not replace the separate immigration requirements necessary for issuing or renewing an expatriate residence permit.

Employers are advised to monitor permit expiry dates, verify establishment eligibility and review outstanding financial obligations before applying. Official Qiwa and ministry channels should be used to confirm applicable charges, renewal requirements and the status of submitted applications.

Source: Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development