How to Use Absher: Key Services Every Resident Needs

Absher is the digital backbone of daily life for residents in Saudi Arabia. It is the main Ministry of Interior platform and mobile app that lets you manage your iqama, visas, civil affairs, and traffic services from your phone — without visiting a government office for most tasks. Registering and using the platform itself is completely free, with no subscription fee. This Saudi Living guide walks you through how to log in, what you can actually do, and the key residency and visa services with their 2026 fees so you know what to expect before you start.

Getting started: login and verification

Absher uses a verified digital identity, so security is built in from the first step. Most residents authenticate through the national access system, Nafath, and confirm each login with an SMS or in-app one-time code. To use the full range of services, you'll need a valid Saudi mobile number registered in your own name.

• Download the Absher app or open the web portal and register with your iqama number.
• Verify your identity through Nafath and enable one-time codes for secure sign-in.
• Make sure your mobile number is correct and registered under your name — many services will not activate without it.

How payments work in Absher

Absher handles the request, but most government fees are paid through your bank using SADAD biller codes. For passports and residency services, payments are processed under the Passports biller code 092 before you complete the service in Absher. In practice, you generate the payment invoice, pay it through your bank app or ATM, then return to Absher to finalize the transaction.

Managing your iqama (residency)

Renewing and issuing residency is one of the most-used features. Standard annual iqama fees processed through Absher in 2026 include:

• Issuing or renewing residency for company and establishment employees: 650 SAR per year.
• Professional individual residency renewal: 600 SAR per year.
• Domestic worker (farmer/herder) residency issuance for individuals: 600 SAR.
• Issuing or renewing companion residency after age 18: 500 SAR.

Other residency-related changes are also done through Absher, such as changing the occupation listed on your iqama, which carries a fee of 1,000 SAR. Always confirm the exact amount shown in your account before paying, as fees depend on your sponsorship type.

Exit and re-entry visas

If you plan to travel and return, you'll issue an exit/re-entry visa through Absher. Validity is always linked to your passport and iqama validity, so keep both current before applying. The 2026 fees are:

• Single exit and re-entry visa: 200 SAR for 2 months, plus 100 SAR for each additional month.
• Multiple exit and re-entry visa: 500 SAR for up to 3 months, plus 200 SAR for each additional month — ideal if you travel frequently.

Reports and passport updates

Absher lets you generate official documents you may be asked for by banks, employers, or landlords. The most common is the Muqeem report — a printable residency report requested under Passports Services — which carries a 29 SAR service fee paid through bank channels before generating it.

For establishments, Absher Business introduced value-added service fees separate from the core annual residency fees. These include:

• Iqama issuance via the value-added workflow: 51.75 SAR.
• Iqama renewal via the value-added workflow: 51.75 SAR.
• Final exit visa service fee: 70 SAR.
• Extension of an exit and re-entry visa: 103.5 SAR.
• Employee report request: 28.75 SAR.
• Updating expatriate passport information: 69 SAR.

Practical tips before you start

• Keep your iqama and passport valid — expired documents block visa and renewal services.
• Pay via SADAD first, then return to Absher to complete the service; the transaction won't finish until payment clears.
• Save or print confirmation of every completed service.
• Fees can be updated over time, so always confirm the current figure shown in your Absher account or on the relevant official Saudi government portal before paying.

Once you're comfortable with the basics, Absher becomes the single place you'll return to for nearly every residency, travel, and family-related task — saving you time and trips to government offices.

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