Iqama Renewal for Workers: Documents & Fees in 2026

Here's the short answer on iqama renewal for workers: documents & fees in 2026. Renewing a private-sector worker's iqama costs a base residence fee of typically around SAR 650 plus a small e-service transaction charge of about SAR 51.75 — but the sponsor (employer) normally pays and initiates it. The bigger costs come from the work-permit levy and any dependents. Here's the full breakdown, what you need, and how the process works this year.

The iqama (residence permit) must stay valid at all times. Letting it expire exposes both the worker and the sponsor to fines and problems with services like Absher, Qiwa and Muqeem — so plan the renewal a few weeks before the expiry date shown on the card.

The short answer: what iqama renewal costs in 2026

Renewal is built from separate charges, not one lump sum. For a standard private-sector expat worker you're looking at:

• Base iqama renewal fee — typically around SAR 650
• Work-permit (Maktab Amal) levy — typically around SAR 700 or SAR 800 depending on the company's Saudization balance.
• Dependent fee — SAR 400
• E-service transaction fee — around SAR 51.75

These are usually paid on the same validity period you're renewing for (3, 6, 9 or 12 months), so a shorter renewal spreads the cost but comes up more often.

Documents you need to renew a worker's iqama

Renewal in 2026 is almost entirely electronic through Absher and Muqeem, so you rarely hand over paper. What you do need in place before you start:

• A valid passport for the worker, with plenty of validity remaining — a passport with very little validity left can block the renewal.
• The current iqama (even if expired) and its number.
• A valid medical insurance policy registered to the worker — the system checks this automatically, and an expired policy will stop the renewal.
• An active work permit for private-sector workers, managed through Qiwa.
• All government fees and levies paid — including the work-permit levy and any dependent fees — because outstanding amounts block the transaction.
• No unresolved traffic or absconding flags against the worker.

For domestic workers (household staff on a personal sponsorship), the sponsor renews through their own Absher account, and the same insurance and passport-validity checks apply.

Iqama renewal fees in 2026, broken down

Below is how each charge works. Treat the figures as the standard rates in use in 2026 — your exact total depends on your sector, your company's Saudization tier, and how many dependents are on the iqama.

Base iqama renewal fee (private-sector workers)

The core residence-permit fee for private-sector workers — including companies, institutions, agriculture and livestock roles — is typically around SAR 650 per worker per year. You can also renew in shorter blocks at a matching rate:

• 3 months — typically around SAR 163
• 6 months — typically around SAR 325
• 9 months — typically around SAR 488
• 12 months — typically around SAR 650

Domestic workers (drivers, housekeepers, guards)

For household workers such as drivers, housekeepers and private guards, the commonly used renewal figure in 2026 is around SAR 600 per year, paid by the sponsor. When renewed in shorter periods, the residence-permit charge is roughly:

• 3 months — around SAR 150
• 6 months — around SAR 300
• 9 months — around SAR 450
• 12 months — around SAR 600

Domestic workers are not subject to the private-sector work-permit levy, which is what makes their overall renewal noticeably cheaper.

The work-permit levy (Maktab Amal)

This is the largest component of the renewal cost for private-sector employers. In 2026 the expatriate work-permit levy is typically around:

• SAR 700 per month (around SAR 8,400 per year) — for companies where expat staff do not exceed Saudi employees.
• SAR 800 per month (around SAR 9,600 per year) — for companies where expat staff exceed Saudi employees.

The levy is separate from the iqama card fee and is normally paid on the same validity period you're renewing. This is why a well-Saudized company (a healthier Nitaqat position) pays less

Dependent fee

If a worker's spouse or children are on their iqama, the dependent fee is SAR 400 per dependent per month (SAR 4,800 per year), regardless of age. It's tied to the worker's iqama validity and is normally settled at renewal — so a family of four dependents adds around SAR 19,200 for a full year.

The e-service transaction fee

On top of everything, expect an e-government processing charge of around SAR 51.75 per renewal transaction when you renew through the main online channels.

A worked example: full cost of a 12-month renewal

Take a single private-sector worker with no dependents, at a company where the Saudization balance keeps them in the lower levy tier:

• Base iqama renewal — around SAR 650
• Work-permit levy (12 months at SAR 700/month) — around SAR 8,400
• E-service transaction fee — around SAR 51.75
• Approximate total — around SAR 9,101.75 for the year

Add a dependent and you're adding another SAR 4,800 It's a big number, which is exactly why sponsors and workers should agree upfront — in the contract — who carries which cost.

How to renew your iqama online (step by step)

Most renewals never require a visit to a Jawazat office. The sponsor drives the process:

1. Confirm the medical insurance is valid — renew the policy first if it's close to expiry, or the whole transaction stalls.
2. Pay the fees via SADAD — settle the levy, dependent fees and iqama fee through your bank app or online banking using the relevant SADAD invoice numbers.
3. Log in to Absher (for private sponsors) or Muqeem (for establishments) using your Nafath-verified account.
4. Select the worker and choose "Renew Iqama", pick the renewal period (3, 6, 9 or 12 months), and confirm.
5. Download the updated iqama details — the new expiry reflects instantly once the transaction clears, usually the same day.

Establishments handling several workers usually run everything through Muqeem, which is built for bulk residency management, while a household sponsor with a single driver or housekeeper uses Absher.

Common mistakes that block a renewal

• Expired medical insurance — the single most common reason a renewal fails. Sort the policy first.
• Unpaid levy or dependent fees — any outstanding government amount stops the transaction.
• A passport with too little validity left — renew the passport at the embassy before attempting the iqama.
• Letting the iqama lapse — an expired iqama can trigger fines, so renew before, not after, the expiry date.
• An inactive work permit — check the Qiwa status before starting.

FAQs

Who pays for iqama renewal — the worker or the sponsor?

The sponsor (employer) is legally responsible for the base iqama fee and the work-permit levy for private-sector workers. Dependent fees are generally the worker's responsibility. In practice, what each side pays should be spelled out in the employment contract, so read it carefully before signing.

How much is the base iqama renewal fee in 2026?

For private-sector workers it's typically around SAR 650 and around SAR 600 You can also renew for 3, 6 or 9 months at a proportional rate.

Can I renew the iqama for just three months?

Yes. Renewal is available in 3, 6, 9 and 12-month blocks. A shorter period spreads the cost but means you'll repeat the process — and the levy — more often.

What happens if my iqama expires before I renew?

An expired iqama can lead to fines and interrupts access to services that rely on a valid residency, so always renew before the expiry date printed on the card.

Do I need to visit a Jawazat office?

Usually no. Renewals are handled online through Absher (for private sponsors) or Muqeem (for establishments), provided insurance, fees and the work permit are all in order.

Is the dependent fee really SAR 400 a month per person?

Yes — SAR 400 per dependent per month (SAR 4,800 a year), regardless of age. It applies to each family member registered on the worker's iqama and is settled in line with the iqama's validity period.

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