The electronic service enables eligible employers to manage work permit transactions through the Qiwa platform without visiting a ministry office. It plays an important role in maintaining the legal employment status of foreign workers and completing residence-related government procedures in accordance with the Kingdom’s applicable regulations.

According to the Ministry’s official service information, a valid work permit is one of the requirements for issuing or renewing a foreign worker’s residence permit, commonly known as an Iqama. However, obtaining a work permit does not automatically complete the residency process. Employers must also fulfill the relevant requirements administered by the General Directorate of Passports and other competent authorities. An expired or missing work permit may therefore prevent the successful completion of certain residence permit transactions until the employment documentation has been regularized.

The Ministry specifies important deadlines that employers should observe. A work permit must be issued for a newly arrived expatriate employee within the first 90 days following entry into Saudi Arabia. For existing work permits, renewal becomes available when 180 days or fewer remain before the permit expires. This advance renewal window allows establishments to complete the required procedures before the expiration date, helping reduce the risk of administrative delays affecting employees and their residency documentation.

Another key condition concerns the employer’s classification under the Nitaqat program. The Ministry states that work permits cannot be issued or renewed when an establishment falls within the red category. Accordingly, eligibility to use the service depends not only on submitting the correct employee details but also on the establishment meeting the applicable regulatory conditions. Employers should review their establishment status before initiating transactions, especially when they are planning permit renewals for multiple expatriate workers.

To complete the procedure, the employer or authorized representative signs in to the Qiwa platform and selects the relevant establishment. The applicant then opens the work permit issuance or renewal service, identifies the expatriate employees whose permits require attention and submits the electronic request. The system generates a payment reference, allowing the applicable charges to be paid through local banks using the SADAD payment system. Once the payment has been processed, the employer can proceed with any remaining residency formalities administered by the relevant government authorities.

The official Ministry service card lists a work permit service fee of SAR 100. However, employers should distinguish this stated fee from any other financial obligations that may apply to expatriate employment, including separate levies or charges associated with the establishment’s circumstances. The total amount due should therefore be confirmed from the official payment reference generated for the transaction. The Ministry describes the service as immediately available through electronic channels when the eligibility requirements have been met.

The Ministry’s frequently asked questions also explain that an updated work permit status normally appears in Qiwa approximately one hour after payment. However, the payment status may take up to 24 hours to be reflected in the passport authorities’ systems. Another important limitation is that a work permit cannot be cancelled after issuance or renewal, making it essential for employers to check employee records carefully before finalizing requests. Regularly monitoring permit expiration dates and maintaining accurate employment records can help businesses complete residency procedures efficiently and avoid unnecessary delays.

Source: Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development — Qiwa Work Permit Issuance and Renewal Service.