Iqama Renewal Fees Saudi Arabia 2026

⚙️ Estimate Your Iqama Renewal Cost

Enter your renewal period and dependants to estimate the total government charges. Official amounts are confirmed on Absher before payment.

Renewal period (months)

Iqamas are usually renewed for 3, 6 or 12 months.

Number of dependants

Spouse and children under your sponsorship.

Expat levy per month (SAR)

Paid by the employer in most cases; varies by Saudisation band.

Dependant fee per dependant / month (SAR)

Iqama issuance fee per year (SAR)

Medical insurance for the period (SAR)

Required before renewal; cost depends on the policy.

Estimated total renewal cost

—

Iqama issuance fee—

Expat levy—

Dependant fees—

Medical insurance—

Fees are set by the Saudi government and can change. This estimator uses the amounts you enter — confirm the exact payable amount in your Absher account before transferring through SADAD.

💳 What Makes Up the Iqama Renewal Cost

Renewing an Iqama (residence permit) in Saudi Arabia is not a single fee. The total normally combines four separate charges, each paid through SADAD after being generated in Absher or Muqeem.

1. Iqama issuance fee

A fixed government charge for issuing or renewing the residence permit itself, commonly SAR 650 per year and pro-rated for shorter renewal periods.

2. Expat levy (maqabil)

A monthly work-permit fee for expatriate employees. The amount depends on the Saudisation ratio of the employer, and it is normally the employer's responsibility, though some contracts pass it on.

3. Dependant fee

A monthly charge for each dependant under the sponsor's Iqama — spouse, children and any other registered dependants. This is normally paid by the expatriate.

4. Medical insurance

Valid health insurance covering the renewal period is mandatory. The Iqama cannot be renewed until the insurance record is active in the Council of Health Insurance system.

Late renewal penalties: renewing after expiry can trigger fines that increase for repeat offences and may affect exit/re-entry visas. Renew before the expiry date shown in Absher.

🧮 Worked Examples

Example 1 — Single worker, 12 months

Iqama fee SAR 650 + expat levy SAR 800 × 12 = SAR 9,600. Total ≈ SAR 10,250 before insurance.

Example 2 — Worker with two dependants, 12 months

Iqama fee 650 + levy 9,600 + dependants (2 × 400 × 12 = 9,600) = SAR 19,850 before insurance.

Example 3 — Three-month renewal, one dependant

Iqama fee 650 × 3/12 = 162.50 + levy 2,400 + dependant 1,200 = SAR 3,762.50 before insurance.

🪜 How to Renew an Iqama Step by Step

Step	Where	What happens
1. Confirm expiry date	Absher / Muqeem	Check the exact Hijri expiry date and remaining days.
2. Renew medical insurance	Insurer / CHI	Policy must cover the full renewal period.
3. Pay expat levy and dependant fees	SADAD via bank app	Generate the bill through Absher, then pay.
4. Pay the Iqama issuance fee	SADAD via bank app	Allow a few hours for the payment to reflect.
5. Submit the renewal	Absher (employer account)	Employer confirms renewal; new expiry date is issued.
6. Verify	Muqeem	Confirm the new expiry appears on the residency record.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to renew an Iqama in Saudi Arabia?

The total depends on the renewal period, the expat levy band and the number of dependants. A single worker renewing for 12 months typically pays the SAR 650 issuance fee plus the monthly levy; a worker with two dependants often pays close to SAR 20,000 for the year.

Who pays the expat levy, the employer or the employee?

The work-permit levy is the employer’s obligation under Saudi regulations, while the dependant fee is normally paid by the expatriate. Some contracts vary this, so check your agreement.

How much is the dependant fee in Saudi Arabia?

The dependant fee is charged monthly for each dependant under the sponsor’s Iqama. Enter the current rate in the estimator to see the total for your renewal period.

Can I renew my Iqama for 3 or 6 months?

Yes. Iqamas can be renewed for shorter periods, and the issuance fee is pro-rated while the levy and dependant fees are charged per month.

What happens if my Iqama expires before renewal?

Late renewal attracts a fine that increases for repeat offences and can block exit/re-entry visa issuance. Renew before the Hijri expiry date shown in Absher.

Is medical insurance required to renew an Iqama?

Yes. A valid health insurance policy covering the whole renewal period must be active in the Council of Health Insurance records before the renewal can be submitted.

How do I pay Iqama fees?

Fees are generated as SADAD bills in Absher and paid through your bank app or ATM. Payments usually reflect within a few hours.

How do I check my new Iqama expiry date?

Log in to Absher or Muqeem after renewal, or use the Iqama expiry calculator to convert the Hijri expiry date to Gregorian.

🔗 Related Tools & Guides

📚 Official Sources

Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development
Primary — Labour Law text and wage rules
Absher
Primary — Iqama, fees and visa services
Muqeem
Primary — residency and visa status checks
Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visa Portal
Primary — visa application and validation

Reviewed and updated on 23 August 2026 by the Saudi Utility Hub editorial team against official Saudi government sources (hrsd.gov.sa, gosi.gov.sa, absher.sa, muqeem.sa and visa.mofa.gov.sa). This page is general information, not legal advice.

Complete Iqama Renewal Cost Breakdown (2026)

Renewing an iqama typically involves several separate government charges rather than one fee:

How to Renew: Absher or Employer HR

For dependents and domestic workers, the head of household renews through Absher: open "Sponsored Services", choose the iqama, select the renewal period, and confirm — the system shows every fee due before you pay via SADAD. For employees, the employer renews through Qiwa or Muqeem; your responsibility is usually limited to keeping medical insurance and your Absher mobile number current.

Late Renewal Penalties

An iqama not renewed within three days of expiry incurs a fine of SAR 500 for the first offence and SAR 1,000 for a repeat; a third violation can lead to deportation in serious cases. An expired iqama also freezes banking services, SIM recharges and exit re-entry visas — renew at least a week before expiry, and earlier if you plan to travel.

🪪 Iqama Renewal Fees Saudi Arabia 2026