Important Notice for Employers and Expatriates in Saudi Arabia
In a significant move aimed at streamlining the housing and labour sectors, Saudi Arabia has implemented a new regulation that directly impacts all expatriate residents. Effective immediately, work permit renewals for non-Saudi residents will only be processed if their residential lease is registered through the official “Ejar” platform.
This change is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to regulate the housing market, ensure legal compliance, and improve the reliability of national data systems.
Who Is Affected?
The new regulation applies to:
All expatriate residents in Saudi Arabia
Anyone seeking to renew their work permit
Employers and HR departments must take note of this requirement to avoid delays in work permit processing for their foreign employees.
What Are the Requirements?
To comply with this regulation, expatriates must:
Register their rental contract on the “Ejar” platform
Ensure that the lease is officially documented under the expatriate’s name
Failure to meet these criteria may result in the rejection or delay of the work permit renewal application.
Why This Decision Was Made
The Ministry’s objectives for this new requirement include:
Reducing unregulated housing practices
Ensuring proper and legally registered accommodations
Enhancing the accuracy and reliability of housing-related data
By enforcing rental documentation through “Ejar,” the government aims to improve transparency and oversight across the real estate and labour markets.
What Employers and Residents Should Do Now
Employers should inform their expatriate employees about this new requirement and assist in updating or registering rental contracts where needed.
Expatriates should log into the “Ejar” platform and verify that their lease is registered correctly and under their name.
About the “Ejar” Platform
“Ejar” is the official electronic network for rental services in Saudi Arabia. It was launched by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing to streamline rental procedures and protect the rights of all parties involved in the rental process.
For more information, visit: https://www.ejar.sa
If you have questions or need assistance in registering your lease or navigating the platform, feel free to reach out to us at:
📧 info@bbc.sa
🌐 www.bbc.sa
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