The Dependent Levy (ุฑุณูู ุงูู ุฑุงูููู) is a monthly fee charged to expatriate employees in Saudi Arabia for each family member they sponsor on a dependent visa. It was introduced in 2017 as part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 fiscal reforms and currently stands at SAR 400 per dependent per month.
The levy applies to spouses, children, and other family members living in Saudi Arabia on a dependent visa (not on a work visa of their own). It is the employer's legal responsibility to pay the dependent levy for employees whose dependents are sponsored on a work-related visa.
Dependent Levy Fee 2026
Dependent Type
Monthly Fee
Annual Cost
Wife (spouse)
SAR 400/month
SAR 4,800/year
Son (under 18)
SAR 400/month
SAR 4,800/year
Son (18โ21, in education)
SAR 400/month
SAR 4,800/year
Daughter
SAR 400/month
SAR 4,800/year
Additional dependents
SAR 400/month each
SAR 4,800/year each
โ ๏ธ Important: The SAR 400/month is per dependent โ not per family. A family of 4 (wife + 3 children) = SAR 1,600/month = SAR 19,200/year. Use our calculator for your exact total.
Who is Exempt from the Dependent Levy?
Not all dependents trigger the levy. Key exemptions:
Dependents of Saudi citizens โ fully exempt
Dependents of employees at government entities โ check with your employer
Dependents on separate work visas โ if your spouse or child has their own employment visa, they are not counted as your dependent
Domestic workers (maids, drivers) โ different fee structure applies via the kafala/domestic worker system
Certain diplomatic and official visa holders โ exempt
Is the Dependent Levy Paid by the Employee or Employer?
This varies by company. Saudi law places the primary obligation on the sponsor (kafeel), which is typically the employer. However, many employment contracts in Saudi Arabia specify that the dependent levy is the employee's responsibility and may be deducted from salary or paid separately. Always check your employment contract before bringing family to Saudi Arabia.
The Dependent Levy vs Iqama Renewal โ What's the Difference?
These are two separate fees often confused with each other. The Iqama renewal fee (SAR 650/year) is paid once annually to renew the residency permit. The dependent levy (SAR 400/month) is an ongoing monthly charge โ it doesn't renew anything, it's simply a monthly fee for having dependents. Both must be paid if you have family in Saudi Arabia.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the dependent levy per month in 2026? โผ
The dependent levy is SAR 400 per dependent per month in 2026. A family of wife and two children would cost SAR 1,200 per month (SAR 14,400 per year) in dependent levies.
Does my employer have to pay the dependent levy? โผ
It depends on your employment contract. Saudi law places the obligation on the kafeel (sponsor/employer), but many contracts transfer this cost to the employee. Check your contract โ and negotiate before signing if family sponsorship is important to you.
What happens if I don't pay the dependent levy? โผ
Unpaid dependent levies accumulate as a debt against your Iqama. You may be unable to renew your Iqama or obtain exit visas until the levy debt is cleared. Pay through Absher or via your employer's Muqeem account.
Can my wife work while on a dependent visa? โผ
A wife on a dependent visa cannot legally work in Saudi Arabia without obtaining her own work permit (tasrih). To work, she would need to transfer to an employment-based residency โ which would also remove her from your dependent levy count.