Sponsoring Family in Saudi Arabia: Dependent Iqama Guide

Bringing your spouse and children to live with you in Saudi Arabia is one of the most common steps expatriate workers take once they are settled. This is done through a dependent iqama (family residency), which places your family members under your own sponsorship file as the employed expatriate. In this Saudi Living guide, we break down the real 2026 costs, who is responsible for paying them, the validity and payment options available, and exactly which official channels you use to renew and pay — so there are no surprises.

What a dependent iqama is

A dependent iqama is the residency permit issued to your family members — typically your spouse and children — under your sponsorship as the primary expatriate worker. It is tied directly to your own iqama: it is issued for the same validity period and must be renewed alongside yours. Your family's legal stay in the Kingdom depends on keeping these dependent records active and paid up.

The core fees you need to know (2026)

There are two separate charges attached to each dependent, and it is important not to confuse them:

• Dependent iqama annual fee: around SAR 500 per year for each dependent over 18.
• Dependent levy (family tax): SAR 400 per month per dependent, which comes to SAR 4,800 per dependent per year. This rate remains unchanged through 2026.

For context on your own file, the worker iqama base renewal fee is SAR 650 plus a per-transaction service fee of SAR 51.75 for each renewal since January 2025.

Who pays what

This is where many families get confused, so here is the clear split:

• The dependent levy (SAR 400/month) is paid by you, the expatriate sponsor — not your employer.
• The dependent iqama annual fee (around SAR 500) is also paid by you, the sponsor.
• Your employer covers your own worker iqama renewal fee and work-permit levy, but the costs for your dependents are entirely separate and fall on you.

In short: your dependents' fees come out of your own pocket, so budget for them well in advance of any renewal.

Validity and payment options

The dependent levy is calculated per month of iqama validity and charged for the full period you select, paid in advance. Standard dependent iqama validity is one year, aligned with your own iqama, though some sponsors are able to use 1–2 year durations where allowed.

As of mid-2026, you can pay iqama and dependent fees in flexible blocks — 3, 6, or 12 months (quarterly, semi-annual, or annual) — while the total annual rates stay the same. Typical levy amounts you will see in the calculators are:

• SAR 1,200 for 3 months per dependent
• SAR 2,400 for 6 months per dependent
• SAR 4,800 for 12 months per dependent

Splitting into quarterly or semi-annual payments does not raise the total — it simply spreads the cash flow, which many families find easier to manage.

Which official channels to use

Only a few platforms are actually involved in issuing, renewing, and paying for a dependent iqama:

• أبشر Individuals: the main portal for expatriate sponsors to manage family and dependent services, pay the dependent levy, and renew dependent iqamas, with the 3 / 6 / 12-month options built in.
• أبشر Business and مقيم: used by employers and sponsors for worker iqama issuance and renewal and to keep linked dependent records in order.
• SADAD through your Saudi bank app: the primary way to pay the dependent levy, using bill code 077 or by searching for “Muqeem dependent fee.”

Other government platforms you may have heard of — such as قوى, ناجز, نفاذ, and توكلنا — are not used to directly pay or issue the dependent iqama, even though they play roles in broader employment, identity, or municipal services.

Practical tips before you renew

• Calculate the total early: multiply SAR 4,800 by the number of dependents, then add the annual iqama fee
• Renew your dependents' iqamas in step with your own to avoid mismatched expiry dates.
• Keep your bank app ready for SADAD payments, since the levy must be settled before the renewal can be completed.
• Always confirm the latest fees and steps on the official Saudi government portals (أبشر and مقيم) before you pay, as amounts and processes can be updated.

With a clear picture of the levy, the annual fee, and the online steps, sponsoring your family becomes a predictable, manageable process rather than a source of stress.

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