Dependent Fee in Saudi Arabia 2026 — Complete Expat Guide
Everything expats need to know about the dependent levy: SAR 400 per dependent per month, who must pay, how to pay through Absher or SADAD, and the penalties for late payment.
Updated September 2026Official Absher / Jawazat rulesWorked examples inside
How much is the dependent fee in Saudi Arabia in 2026?
The dependent fee (also called the dependent levy or family levy) is SAR 400 per dependent per month — that is SAR 4,800 per dependent per year. It applies to expatriate residents (Iqama holders) who sponsor family members in Saudi Arabia, and the same SAR 400/month rate also applies to each expat worker above the Saudi headcount in a company (the expat levy for employees).
Dependent type
Monthly fee
Annual cost
Wife / husband
SAR 400
SAR 4,800
Each child (any age)
SAR 400
SAR 4,800
Parent / parent-in-law under your sponsorship
SAR 400
SAR 4,800
Domestic worker sponsored by an expat (above exemption quota)
SAR 400
SAR 4,800
Example: an expat sponsoring a wife and two children pays 3 × SAR 400 = SAR 1,200 per month, or SAR 14,400 per year, payable in advance when issuing or renewing the Iqama.
Expatriate Iqama holders who sponsor a spouse, children or parents on a family (dependent) residence visa.
Expats sponsoring domestic workers beyond the exempt quota.
Employers, for each expat employee above the Saudiisation (Nitaqat) ratio — this part is paid by the company, not the worker.
Saudi citizens do not pay the dependent fee for their family members. GCC citizens and certain categories such as students on government scholarships may also be exempt — always confirm on Absher before paying.
How to pay the dependent fee (step by step)
Check the amount due: log in to Absher → My Services → Dependants / Passport (Jawazat) services to see the exact levy assessed against your Iqama.
Pay via SADAD: in your banking app choose SADAD → Government Payments → Ministry of Interior → Alien Control / Expatriate Levy, and enter your Iqama number. Pay the amount shown in Absher.
Confirm posting: payment usually posts within minutes to a few hours. Check Absher again — the outstanding amount should show zero.
Renew or issue the Iqama: once the levy is paid you can complete Iqama renewal, exit/re-entry visa issuance, or final exit processing.
The levy must be paid in advance for the full renewal period. Iqama renewal will be blocked until the full dependent fee for the renewal duration is settled.
Is the dependent fee still SAR 400 per month in 2026?
Yes. The fee rose in steps from SAR 100 in 2017 to SAR 400 per dependent per month from 2020 onwards, and remains SAR 400/month (SAR 4,800/year) in 2026. Always confirm the live amount in Absher before paying.
Do I pay the fee for a newborn baby?
Yes. Once a newborn is issued an Iqama under your sponsorship, the dependent levy applies from the Iqama issuance date.
Is the dependent fee refundable if my family leaves mid-year?
If dependents leave on final exit before the paid period ends, the unused balance is generally not refunded automatically — check with Jawazat via Absher for your specific case.
Does my employer pay the dependent fee for my family?
No — the dependent levy for your family members is your personal responsibility unless your employment contract specifically says the company covers it. The separate expat worker levy for employees is paid by the employer.
Can I pay the dependent fee in instalments?
The levy is collected in advance with the Iqama issuance or renewal. Some banks allow splitting the SADAD payment by dependent, but the full amount must clear before renewal completes.
Where can I calculate my exact total?
Use the free Dependent Levy Calculator on this site — enter the number of dependents and months, and it computes the total instantly.
Sources: Absher, Saudi Ministry of Interior (Jawazat). Figures verified September 2026. This guide is for information only — always confirm current fees in Absher before paying.
How the Monthly Levy Is Calculated
The expatriate dependent levy is charged per dependent or companion per month and is collected for the full iqama validity period in advance when you renew or issue an iqama. Because it is prepaid, the amount shown at renewal often looks large — it is twelve months of monthly fees bundled together. Use the calculator to see the exact total for your family size before renewing, so the SADAD amount never surprises you.
Who Counts as a Dependent — and Who Is Exempt
The levy applies to a resident's spouse, sons over 18, daughters (regardless of age if sponsored), parents, and domestic workers beyond the first in some cases. Categories generally exempt include Saudi-citizen mothers of Saudi children, certain GCC nationals, and students on government scholarships. Rules are updated periodically by the Ministry of Interior — verify your exact family situation on Absher, which shows the precise levy due for each dependent before payment.
Paying the Levy: Step by Step
Log in to your bank app and open SADAD payments.
Select "Government Payments" then "Expatriate Services" (Alien Control).
Choose "Associate (Dependent) Fee" and enter the iqama number.
The system shows the amount due for the chosen service (renewal, exit re-entry, etc.). Pay by mada or account debit.
Return to Absher to complete the iqama renewal — payment posts almost instantly.
If You Cannot Pay the Full Amount
The levy cannot be split by the system, but you can shorten the renewal to six or three months on some iqama services, which reduces the prepaid levy proportionally. Note that unpaid levy blocks iqama renewal, exit re-entry issuance and final exit processing, so plan the payment before any travel.