Riyadh: Saudi authorities have dismissed widespread social media claims suggesting that expatriates with expired iqamas will automatically be classified as “huroob” under a new system. Officials clarified that such reports are inaccurate and not supported by any official policy.
Authorities stressed that huroob status, which indicates a worker has absconded, cannot be applied automatically under existing labour and residency regulations. Instead, employers or sponsors must formally request the designation through authorised government procedures.
Moreover, officials emphasised that simply allowing an iqama to expire does not trigger huroob classification. There is no mechanism that converts expired residency permits into absconding cases, regardless of deadlines circulating online, including rumours referring to June 2026.
In addition, no announcement confirming these claims has been issued by the Saudi Press Agency or the Ministry of Interior. Both institutions remain the sole official sources for regulatory updates and have not introduced any policy involving automatic huroob designation.
Legal experts also clarified that while an expired iqama may result in fines or administrative penalties, it does not automatically categorise a worker as absconding. Instead, authorities typically provide opportunities for individuals to resolve their status before any formal action occurs.
Saudi Arabia continues to manage residency services through digital platforms such as Absher. These systems allow sponsors to report or cancel huroob cases within defined guidelines.
Officials urged residents to rely only on verified government channels for information and avoid spreading unconfirmed claims circulating online.
