Iqama Renewal in Summer 2026: Steps & Fees

Last verified: June 2026 — Saudi Living editorial team.

If your iqama expires this summer, here's the short answer on Iqama Renewal in Summer 2026: Step-by-Step Process & Fees — for a standard private-sector worker, renewal costs SAR 650 for a full year (or SAR 163 for three months), plus dependent fees if your family is in the Kingdom, and it's all processed online through Absher and Muqeem. Before the system lets you pay, you need to clear traffic fines, keep health insurance valid, and settle any dependent charges. Here's the full 2026 process.

Iqama renewal in Summer 2026 at a glance

The iqama (residency permit) keeps your legal status in Saudi Arabia valid, and it must be renewed before it lapses. For 2026, most private-sector workers can renew for 3, 6, 9, or 12 months, and the government has formally enabled paying fees quarterly without changing the base rates.

In practice, your sponsor (employer) files the renewal, but every resident should track their own status. You can check your iqama expiry, outstanding fines, and dependent balances anytime in the Absher Individuals app before the renewal date arrives.

How much does iqama renewal cost in 2026?

Fees scale with the renewal period. The base residency fee is the same for most workers, and it is pro-rated across the four available windows.

Standard private-sector worker fees

• 3 months — SAR 163
• 6 months — SAR 325
• 9 months — SAR 488
• 12 months (1 year) — SAR 650

These figures cover the residency permit itself. They do not include the separate work-permit levy or any dependent fees, which are billed on top.

Domestic worker fees

For domestic workers (drivers, housemaids, cooks), the annual iqama renewal fee is typically around SAR 600 to 650. Most current guidance lists SAR 600, but some sponsors still see SAR 650, so always confirm the live amount shown in Absher before you pay. Shorter periods follow the same pro-rated scale used for other workers (roughly SAR 163 / 325 / 488 for 3, 6 and 9 months).

Dependent (companion) fees

If your spouse and children live with you in Saudi Arabia, you pay a separate dependent (companion) fee for each of them.

• SAR 400 per dependent per month, which works out to SAR 4,800
• If you renew quarterly, expect a minimum of around SAR 1,200 per adult dependent (18+) for a three-month block.

Dependent fees must be paid in full for the same period you intend to renew — the system won't process the iqama renewal if these charges are outstanding.

Processing and service fees

On top of the residency fee, expect a small filing charge. The Absher processing/service fee per iqama renewal is typically around SAR 51.75.

Preconditions: clear these before you renew

The most common reason renewals get blocked in 2026 is an unpaid item elsewhere in the system. Sort these out first:

• Traffic violations — all fines must be paid through Absher via SADAD or your bank before renewal is allowed.
• CCHI health insurance — the worker's medical insurance must be valid. A lapsed policy will block the renewal in Muqeem.
• Dependent fees — spouse and children's charges must be settled for the intended renewal period.
• Work-permit levies and dues — any linked labour fees must be cleared.

Check all of these a week or two ahead so you're not scrambling the day your iqama expires.

How to renew your iqama step by step

Iqama renewal is done digitally — no office visit needed in most cases. Here's the flow.

Renewing via Absher (individuals and business)

1. Log in to Absher (employers use Absher Business; individuals can check status and fines in Absher Individuals).
2. Confirm there are no unpaid traffic fines and that health insurance is active.
3. Go to the iqama services section and select Renew Iqama.
4. Choose the renewal period — 3, 6, 9, or 12 months.
5. Confirm the fee, generate the SADAD bill, and pay via bank app, ATM, or online banking.
6. Once payment clears, the iqama is renewed electronically — usually the same day to a few days.

Renewing via Muqeem (employers)

Employers managing multiple workers typically use the Muqeem portal, which is built for company residency services.

1. Log in to Muqeem and open the residency/iqama services menu.
2. Select the worker and choose Renew Iqama.
3. Confirm health insurance is valid — Muqeem will flag a lapsed CCHI policy.
4. Choose the renewal duration and settle any dependent fees for the same period.
5. Pay the generated bill; the renewal reflects once payment is confirmed.

Quarterly payments: what changed in 2026

In 2026, you can now spread iqama and dependent fees across quarterly instalments through Absher and Muqeem without changing the base rates — you're not paying more, you're simply paying in three-month blocks instead of one large annual sum. For families with several dependents, this eases cash flow considerably, since the full-year dependent bill can otherwise land all at once.

Government-sector workers

If you work for a government entity, there is no iqama renewal fee — the government body covers it. You still need valid health insurance and a clean fines record, but you won't be generating a SADAD bill for the residency fee itself.

Common mistakes and how to avoid delays

• Waiting until the last day. Payments and system updates can take a day or two to reflect — renew a week early.
• Forgetting dependent fees. The renewal won't process if a companion's charge is unpaid for the same window.
• Lapsed insurance. Renew the CCHI policy first; Muqeem will otherwise block the transaction.
• Unpaid traffic fines. Even a small violation on Absher can stop the whole renewal.
• Wrong period choice. If cash flow is tight, use the quarterly option rather than defaulting to a full year.

FAQs

How much is iqama renewal for one year in 2026?

For a standard private-sector worker it's SAR 650 for 12 months, plus a small processing fee of around SAR 51.75 and any dependent charges.

Can I pay iqama fees quarterly?

Yes. As of 2026 you can pay iqama and dependent fees quarterly through Absher and Muqeem, and the base rates stay the same whether you pay quarterly or annually.

How much is the dependent fee?

Dependent (companion) fees are SAR 400 per dependent per month — about SAR 4,800 or roughly SAR 1,200

Do I need health insurance to renew my iqama?

Yes. The worker's CCHI health insurance must be valid. A lapsed policy will block the renewal in Muqeem, so renew the insurance first.

Do government employees pay an iqama renewal fee?

No. Government-sector worker iqamas carry no renewal fee — the government entity covers it. You still need valid insurance and no outstanding fines.

What blocks an iqama renewal?

Unpaid traffic fines, lapsed CCHI insurance, unpaid dependent fees, and outstanding work-permit levies will all stop the renewal from processing.

Sorting your iqama is often the first step to settling in — once it's done, browse the latest jobs in Saudi Arabia on Saudi Living or find your next home in our accommodation listings for expats.

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