Iqama Renewal in Saudi Arabia: Steps, Fees, Timeline

Renewing your iqama (residence permit) is one of the most important recurring tasks for anyone living in Saudi Arabia. Most of the process is now handled online, but a smooth renewal depends on paying all government dues in advance and making sure your records are fully up to date. In this guide, Saudi Living walks you through who renews your iqama, the online channels used in 2026, the core fees and levies, and the timeline you should expect.

Before you start: eligibility and prerequisites

Iqama renewal only works when your current iqama is still valid — an expired iqama follows a different, more complex path. Just as importantly, all outstanding government dues must be settled first. Renewal will simply not go through until these are cleared.

• Work permit levy (labor levy) for private-sector workers.
• Dependent levy for family members over the qualifying age.
• Traffic fines and any other government charges linked to your file.

It is best to check and clear everything a few days before the iqama expiry date so you are not renewing at the last minute.

Which channel renews your iqama

The right platform depends on your category:

• أبشر (Absher): used by residents to renew the iqama of family members and registered domestic workers. Payment goes through SADAD and the status updates instantly in your Absher account.
• أبشر Business / مقيم (Muqeem): used for company and institution employees. The HR team or an authorized company user completes the renewal online once levies and fees are paid.
• قوى (Qiwa): used by private-sector employers for labor contracts and job titles. Iqama issuance and renewal must match an active employment contract in Qiwa.
• Government employees: their iqamas are renewed by the government entity through internal systems, and the core iqama fee is not charged to the worker.

Step-by-step online renewal

For a resident renewing a dependent or domestic worker through Absher, the flow is broadly as follows:

• Log in to your Absher account and verify your identity via نفاذ (Nafath) if prompted.
• Go to the residency (iqama) services section and select the person you want to renew.
• Confirm there are no unpaid levies, fees or fines flagged against the file.
• Choose your renewal period (see flexible options below).
• Generate the SADAD bill, pay it through your bank app or online banking, then complete the renewal in Absher.
• Confirm the new expiry date reflects instantly in the account.

For company employees, the authorized user follows a similar path in Muqeem or Absher Business after all dues are paid.

Renewal periods and flexible options

The default iqama validity in 2026 is 12 months for most private-sector and domestic workers. However, flexible renewal is active, letting you renew in segments of 3, 6, 9 or 12 months, with fees prorated over the year.

The dependent levy is calculated monthly and can be paid in 3, 6, 9 or 12-month blocks that match your intended renewal period — useful if you prefer to spread costs or align renewal with a residency change or planned departure.

Core iqama fees in 2026

The core government residence-permit fee depends on the worker category:

• Private-sector employee in companies and institutions: SAR 650
• Domestic worker (housekeeper, driver, guard and similar): SAR 600
• Government-sector employee: no iqama fee — the cost is covered by the government entity.
• Family dependents aged 18 and above (spouse or adult children of a resident or Saudi citizen and similar categories): SAR 500 or SAR 1,000 for two years, for the residence-permit portion — separate from the monthly dependent levy.
• Service / private driver category: SAR 600 or SAR 1,200 for two years.

Work permit levy for private-sector workers

Beyond the core iqama fee, private-sector expatriate workers are subject to a work permit levy (labor levy). In 2026 this typically ranges from SAR 700 to SAR 800 depending on the company's Saudization status. This levy is usually settled by the employer before renewal can proceed, and it is a major reason renewals stall — so it pays to confirm with your HR team that all levies are cleared ahead of time.

Timeline and final tips

Because everything is digital, the renewal itself is often completed the moment payment clears, with the new expiry date showing instantly. The real timeline is driven by clearing dues in advance. To stay safe:

• Start at least a week before expiry to allow for payment settlement.
• Keep your bank app ready for SADAD payments.
• Double-check the amounts and always confirm the latest fees and any updates on the official Absher and Muqeem portals before paying.

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