Mediators responsible for filing expat sponsorship transfer requests with the Labor Ministry are increasing their fees ahead of the Sunday deadline.

“Tuesday and Wednesday were the final days for distributing numbers to mediators. They have increased the price of their services considerably. The price of a single number can reach SR1,000,” said one mediator, Ramzi Odeh.

Mediators continue to line up inside the Passport Department in Riyadh to complete company paperwork, especially in the morning hours.

Mediators have also spread rumors that the correction period might be extended again for certain Asian nationalities.

“Two out of every five applications are returned because of linkage issues. This is a very time-consuming process. Linking requires mediators to go to the Labor Office and take a linkage number,” Mohammad Jabbar, an agent, said.

Ahmad Al-Haidan, the spokesman for the Passport Department, was unavailable for comment.