No renewal of work permits for non-Saudis without a lease contract

The competent authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have announced that work permits for non-Saudis will not be renewed without a documented lease contract. This decision comes within the state's efforts to regulate the labor and housing market and ensure a legal and safe residential environment for all residents. In this article, we review the details of the decision, the importance of renewing work permits with a lease contract, and the steps for electronic linking through official platforms.

Objective of Linking Work Permit Renewal to a Lease Contract

Ensuring all expatriate workers have registered and electronically documented housing.
Combating the phenomenon of random housing and commercial cover-up (Tasattur).
Enhancing the rights of both worker and employer through a legal lease contract that protects both parties.
Facilitating the monitoring of expatriates' housing status through the registered national address.

How to Complete Work Permit Renewal with a Lease Contract

To complete the renewal process, the worker must have a lease contract registered through the "Ejjar" platform affiliated with the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing. The steps are as follows:

Register or document the lease contract electronically on the Ejjar platform.
Link the contract directly to the worker's residency number (Iqama).
Access the "Qiwa" platform and request the renewal of the work permit for non-Saudis.
The system automatically verifies the existence of a valid lease contract.
Upon approval, an invoice for paying the permit fees is issued, and the process is completed electronically.

Who is Affected by the Decision?

The decision applies to all expatriate workers in the private sector.
Whether the housing is individual or company-provided collective housing, it must be documented through the Ejjar platform.
No worker is exempt from this requirement.

What Happens if There is No Lease Contract for Work Permit Renewal?

Work permit renewal becomes impossible, consequently halting the renewal of residency.
The establishment may face financial fines or suspension of its services.
The worker becomes in an irregular status, which may lead to deportation.

Benefits of the Decision for Workers and Employers

Regulating the real estate and labor housing market.
Protecting the rights of workers and landlords through official, approved contracts.
Reducing disputes between landlords and tenants.
Supporting national efforts in building an accurate database for housing and expatriate labor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the reason for the decision to not renew work permits for non-Saudis without a lease contract?

The goal of the decision is to ensure official and documented housing for expatriate workers, regulate the real estate market, combat cover-up practices and random housing, and protect the rights of both workers and employers through electronically approved lease contracts.

How is work permit renewal linked to the lease contract?

The contract is registered on the "Ejjar" platform affiliated with the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing. The contract is then electronically linked to the worker's residency number. When applying for work permit renewal through the "Qiwa" platform, the system automatically verifies the existence of a valid lease contract.

What is the penalty for not having a lease contract for work permit renewal?

If a lease contract is not registered, the employer will not be able to complete the renewal of the work permit for non-Saudis. This will lead to the suspension of residency renewal and may result in administrative fines or the worker's deportation if the situation is not rectified.

Does the decision apply to all expatriate workers?

Yes, the decision applies to all resident workers in the private sector, regardless of profession or nature of work, provided they have housing registered through an electronic lease contract.

Can a collective housing contract be used for permit renewal?

Yes, if the establishment provides collective housing for workers, the contracts can be registered through the Ejjar platform for collective contracts. This contract can then be used to renew work permits with a lease contract.

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