How to Use Absher: Services Every Resident Needs

If you live in Saudi Arabia, أبشر is the single most useful government app on your phone. It puts iqama renewals, status checks, appointment bookings, dependent services, and secure payments in one place — most of it available around the clock without visiting an office. This Saudi Living guide walks you through registering, verifying your identity, and using the services every resident relies on, plus how payments and fees actually work.

What Absher is (and what it costs)

أبشر is a free government platform. There is no charge to create or use the account itself. You only pay for the specific service you request — such as iqama issuance, visas, or traffic fines — plus small e-service processing charges where they apply. Routine status checks are free, including checking your iqama validity, visa status, traffic fines, and driving licence. In other words, you can log in any time to confirm your status without paying a riyal.

How to register as a resident

You can register through the official Absher website or the mobile app. The steps are straightforward:

• Open the Absher app or website and choose “New User”.
• Enter your ID / residence (iqama) number, mobile number, email, a username, and a password.
• Confirm using the SMS code sent to your registered mobile number.
• Activate your account through bank e-channels, an ATM, a self-service kiosk, or a Jawazat (passports) service desk.
• Once activated, sign in with your username, password, and a one-time verification code.

Make sure the mobile number you register is the one linked to your records, since verification codes are sent there.

Logging in and Nafath verification

Absher uses the national access system for login and identity verification. As a resident, you typically authenticate with your ID/iqama number, your password, and a one-time code. Across many government e-services, نفاذ now acts as the unified digital identity gateway — so it’s worth setting it up and keeping the app ready, as you’ll be prompted to approve logins through it for a growing list of services.

Renewing your iqama through Absher

Iqama renewal is available electronically for both family dependents and domestic workers. Employers and sponsors can renew resident identity online under “Iqama Renewal” within the resident identity services. The general flow is:

• Go to Labor Services → Resident Identity → Renew.
• Select the person, then choose the renewal duration.
• Confirm the prerequisites are met — in particular, the sponsoree must have no unpaid traffic violations.
• Complete payment via SADAD for the chosen period.

After payment is processed, the new expiry date appears in both أبشر and مقيم.

Understanding the fees

The base government residence-permit fee for 2026 is structured as follows:

• Company / establishment (private-sector) employees: 650 ريال سعودي per year for iqama issuance or renewal.
• Professional individual residency renewal: typically 600 ريال سعودي per year.
• Flexible durations are commonly available: roughly 163 ريال سعودي for 3 months, 325 ريال سعودي for 6 months, 488 ريال سعودي for 9 months, and 650 ريال سعودي for 12 months, with up to 24 months charged as multiples of the annual fee.
• For domestic workers, the annual iqama fee currently sits in the 600–650 ريال سعودي range, payable

These are base government fees; other charges may apply depending on your case. Always confirm the exact amount shown in Absher before paying, and verify current figures on the official portal.

Paying with SADAD — the 14-day rule

When you complete a service in Absher, the platform generates a SADAD payment number for the government fee. Note this important detail: the SADAD number is valid for 14 days from issuance. If it isn’t paid within 14 days, the number is cancelled and you’ll need to generate a new one. To avoid delays or lapses in status, pay promptly through your bank app, online banking, or an ATM once the number is issued.

A few practical tips

• Clear any traffic fines before attempting an iqama renewal, since unpaid violations can block the process.
• Keep your registered mobile number and email up to date so you never miss verification codes or alerts.
• Use the free status checks regularly to track iqama and document expiry dates well ahead of time.
• When in doubt about a fee or requirement, confirm directly on the official Absher and مقيم portals.

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