Dependent Iqama Guide: Sponsoring Family in Saudi Arabia

Bringing your family to live with you in Saudi Arabia is one of the most important steps expatriates take after settling into a job and finding a home. The process is well-organized and mostly digital, but it comes with a mix of one-time fees, recurring charges, and eligibility conditions that are easy to underestimate if you plan on a tight budget. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through who can sponsor family members, how the initial family visa works, and the ongoing iqama costs you should budget for each year.

Who Can Sponsor Family Members

Before you can bring dependents to the Kingdom, you need to meet a few core conditions as the sponsor:

• You must hold a valid iqama and be residing in Saudi Arabia legally.
• You must meet the minimum monthly salary set for family sponsorship. Thresholds vary by profession and region, so confirm your specific requirement through the official government portal or with your employer.
• You must have suitable housing in the Kingdom. This is often verified through a registered tenancy contract or employer-provided accommodation.

Eligible dependents typically include your spouse, children, and in many cases parents. One notable exception applies to Premium Residency holders, whose dependents are exempt from the annual dependent levy described below.

Step 1: The Family Visa (Isteqdam)

To bring dependents who are outside the Kingdom, you first request a family visit or family residence visa, commonly known as isteqdam. The request is submitted through the Interior Ministry's e-services using your personal account, usually via the main government e-portal that residents use for their transactions.

• The family visa issuance fee is typically 2,000 ريال سعودي, paid through SADAD.
• Once approved, your dependents receive a visa number.
• That visa number is then used to stamp the visa at the Saudi embassy or consulate in your family's home country.

After your family arrives, you move on to converting their entry into a formal residence permit (iqama).

Step 2: Medical Test and Issuing the Iqama

Newly arrived dependents must complete a medical test before their iqama can be issued. Budget roughly 200–500 ريال سعودي depending on the clinic and the type of examination required.

Once the medical test is done and paperwork is complete, you pay the dependent iqama issuance fee, which is 500 ريال سعودي Health insurance is also mandatory for every dependent, and the price varies by insurer, the person's age, and the level of coverage you select.

The Annual Dependent Levy

The dependent levy is the recurring cost that most affects family budgets. It applies to each family member on your iqama file — spouse, children, parents, and other dependents alike.

• The rate is 400 ريال سعودي or 4,800 ريال سعودي
• This rate has been unchanged since July 2020 and remains in effect in 2026.
• You can pay in blocks of 3, 6, 9, or 12 months, which works out to 1,200 / 2,400 / 3,600 / 4,800 ريال سعودي
• Payment is made via SADAD through your Saudi bank account or online banking.

Remember that this levy is charged so a family of four dependents multiplies the annual cost significantly. Premium Residency holders are the main exception, as their dependents are exempt.

Annual Iqama Renewal

Each dependent's iqama must be renewed every year. The dependent iqama annual renewal fee is 500 ريال سعودي Some older guides still quote 650 ريال سعودي, but the more recent schedules show 500 ريال سعودي as the standard renewal amount. Always verify the exact figure on the official portal before paying, as the total due usually appears bundled with the levy and insurance.

Budgeting: The Full Picture

To avoid surprises, plan for the following per dependent when bringing family for the first time:

• One-time: family visa (isteqdam) around 2,000 ريال سعودي iqama issuance 500 ريال سعودي, medical test 200–500 ريال سعودي.
• Recurring each year: dependent levy up to 4,800 ريال سعودي, iqama renewal 500 ريال سعودي, plus mandatory health insurance.
• Separate: school fees for children, which vary widely by institution.

Because thresholds, exemptions, and exact charges can change, always confirm salary requirements, fees, and payment steps directly through Absher, Muqeem, and the relevant Interior Ministry e-services before you commit. Planning ahead — especially for the annual levy — is the single best way to make family life in the Kingdom smooth and stress-free.

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