Flexible 3-Month Iqama Options for Domestic Workers

Saudi Arabia has introduced flexible options for issuing and renewing the residence permit (Iqama) of domestic workers, allowing employers to choose periods starting from three months and up to 24 months, in three-month multiples. The change gives households more control over how they manage residency costs.

Under the new system, employers can pay residency permit fees quarterly, limited to the selected period — for example 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, or 24 months — instead of being required to settle a full year or multiple years at once.

The standard annual iqama fee for a domestic worker is SAR 600 now pro-rated over the chosen duration. That works out to SAR 150 for three months, SAR 300 for six months, SAR 450 for nine months, and SAR 600 for a full year, with longer periods following the same structure. A digital service or processing fee of around SAR 51–52 typically applies

Beyond the iqama fee, employers remain responsible for any applicable work-permit fee and medical insurance, plus the platform service fee. Dependent (family companion) fees stay at SAR 400 per month per person — SAR 1,200 for three months, SAR 2,400 for six months, and SAR 4,800 for twelve months — and these can now also be paid in quarterly installments aligned with the chosen renewal period.

How to renew

The main digital channel is the Absher Individuals app or portal. After logging in, go to "My Workers," choose "Renew Residency Permit (Iqama)," select the duration in three-month multiples up to 24 months, confirm the fees, and pay electronically through the linked payment gateway.

The move is expected to ease budgeting for households employing domestic workers, offering shorter commitments and smaller, more manageable payments spread across the year.

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