How to Renew Your Iqama in Saudi Arabia: Step-by-Step

Updated January 2026.

The short answer: in Saudi Arabia you don't renew your own Iqama — your employer or sponsor does it electronically through Absher Business or Muqeem before your residence permit expires. Your job is to keep the paperwork clean (valid passport, active medical insurance, registered biometrics, no fines) and make sure the fees are paid. Get those right and the renewal itself can be done the same day. This guide walks you through how to renew your Iqama in Saudi Arabia: the step-by-step process and required documents, what it costs in 2026, and how to avoid the usual delays — whether you're in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam or anywhere else in the Kingdom.

Who actually renews your Iqama?

Iqama renewal is the sponsor's legal responsibility, not the resident's. For company employees, the employer's GRO or HR team handles it through Absher Business or the Muqeem portal. For domestic workers — drivers, housemaids, cooks — the individual sponsor renews it, again through Muqeem or Absher.

As the resident, you rarely log in yourself. But you carry the consequences of an expired Iqama — fines, blocked services, and problems at checkpoints or the airport — so it pays to stay on top of the dates and keep your documents current.

Iqama renewal fees in 2026

Renewing an Iqama isn't a single fee. It's a stack of government charges that the sponsor must clear before the system will process the renewal.

Government fees for the worker

• Private-sector worker — typically around SAR 650 per year.
• Domestic worker — typically around SAR 600 per year, paid by the sponsor.
• Government-sector worker — no Iqama renewal fee; it is covered by the employing entity.
• Absher processing fee — an electronic transaction fee of SAR 51.75 per renewal, applied on each transaction.

The dependent (companion) levy

If you have family under your sponsorship, you pay a monthly fee for each dependent — currently SAR 400 per month per dependent, around SAR 4,800 per year each, settled via SADAD or Muqeem. Some older guides still quote SAR 500, but the levy applied in practice in 2026 is SAR 400. This is separate from the worker's Iqama fee and is often the largest single cost for families.

Work permit levy

Many private-sector workers also carry a work permit (labour) levy on top of the Iqama fee — typically around SAR 700–800 per month per worker. This is usually paid by the employer, but it must be cleared before renewal will go through, so it's worth knowing where your total sits.

Documents and conditions you need before renewing

The Iqama system won't process a renewal until every condition below is satisfied. Sort these out first and the renewal itself is instant.

• Valid passport — at least 6 months remaining, for the worker and each dependent.
• Active medical insurance — a CCHI-compliant policy (at least tier C for most workers) that is live, not expired.
• Registered biometrics — fingerprints and photo recorded with Jawazat for everyone aged 6 and above.
• No traffic violations outstanding on the Iqama holder or family members under the same sponsorship.
• No huroob — no active absent-from-work (runaway) report in the system.
• GOSI up to date — no unpaid social insurance contributions for employees registered under GOSI.
• All fees paid — the Iqama fee, work permit levy, dependent levy and any fines fully settled.

Some companies also ask for supporting paperwork internally — a copy of the employment contract, the medical insurance schedule and passport copies — even though these aren't uploaded during the online transaction.

How to renew your Iqama step by step (Absher / Muqeem)

Here's the flow the sponsor or GRO follows:

1. Check the expiry date and clear blockers — confirm the passport validity, insurance status and that there are no fines or huroob flags.
2. Pay the government fees via SADAD — log in to your bank app or online banking, choose the Ministry of Interior (MOI) payments, and settle the Iqama fee, dependent levy and any work permit levy. Funds must show as available in the system before renewal.
3. Log in to Absher Business or Muqeem — using Nafath authentication.
4. Select the resident and choose "Renew Iqama" — pick the renewal period (see below).
5. Confirm and pay the SAR 51.75 transaction fee — the system verifies insurance, biometrics and cleared fees automatically.
6. Download the updated Iqama record — the new expiry date reflects immediately, and you can print or save the digital proof.

If everything is in order, renewal completes the same day. If it's blocked, the portal tells you exactly which condition failed — usually expired insurance or an unpaid balance.

Validity periods — 3, 6, 9 or 12 months

Most workers renew for a full year at a time. But Absher and Muqeem also allow shorter instalments if you'd rather split the cost:

• 3 months — pro-rated to roughly SAR 163.
• 6 months — roughly SAR 325.
• 9 months — pro-rated accordingly.
• 12 months — the standard SAR 650 for a private-sector worker.

Domestic workers are generally renewed one year at a time. Note the difference between two dates: the physical Iqama card can carry a validity of up to 5 years, but your legal residence is governed by the electronic expiry date, which must be renewed annually. It's the electronic date that matters for fines and services — not the plastic card.

When to start and how to avoid delays

Start the process at least 30 days before your Iqama expires. That window gives you time to renew insurance if it lapsed, pay off any traffic fines, and resolve a huroob or GOSI issue before it blocks the renewal. Leaving it to the last day is how residents end up paying late fines or getting stuck when they need to travel.

A quick habit that saves headaches: check your Iqama expiry and fine status on Absher every couple of months, and confirm your medical insurance renews before it expires — insurance lapses are the single most common reason a renewal gets stuck.

New to the Kingdom or setting up your life here? Our guides for residents and expats cover the essentials, and you may also want to read up on expatriate health insurance options and costs and converting a foreign driving licence in Saudi Arabia.

FAQs

Can I renew my own Iqama myself?

No. Iqama renewal is done by your sponsor or employer through Absher Business or Muqeem. As the resident you can't process it yourself, but you should keep your passport, insurance and biometrics current so the renewal goes through.

How much does it cost to renew an Iqama in 2026?

For a private-sector worker the government fee is typically around SAR 650 plus a SAR 51.75 transaction fee. If you have dependents, add roughly SAR 400 A work permit levy of around SAR 700–800

What documents do I need to renew my Iqama?

A passport valid for at least 6 months, active CCHI-compliant medical insurance, registered biometrics for everyone aged 6 and above, no outstanding traffic fines, no huroob report, up-to-date GOSI, and all fees paid in full.

What if my medical insurance has expired?

An expired policy is the most common blocker. The system won't process the renewal until your insurance is live again, so ask your employer or renew your CCHI-compliant policy first — then the Iqama renewal will go through. Check your insurance status early rather than on the last day.

How do I check if I have a huroob report?

You can see your Iqama status, including any active huroob (absent-from-work) flag, through the Absher or Muqeem account under your sponsor. If a report is showing, it must be lifted before renewal is possible, so raise it with your sponsor as soon as you spot it.

How long does Iqama renewal take?

If all conditions are met and fees are paid, renewal is usually completed the same day through Absher or Muqeem. Delays happen only when a blocker — like expired insurance or an unpaid balance — has to be resolved first.

Can I renew my Iqama for less than a year?

Yes. The system allows renewals of 3, 6, 9 or 12 months for most workers, with fees pro-rated — roughly SAR 163 for 3 months and SAR 325 for 6 months. Domestic workers are usually renewed a full year at a time.

What happens if my Iqama expires?

An expired Iqama triggers fines and can block government services, banking and travel. Renew at least 30 days before the electronic expiry date to give yourself room to clear any issues.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving