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 expat residents take once they are settled. The process runs through the dependent iqama system, where family members are placed under your personal sponsorship file. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through who you can sponsor, what the dependent levy costs in 2026, and exactly how to issue or renew a family member's iqama online.

Who can you sponsor?

As an expatriate resident, you can typically place immediate family members under your file, including your spouse and children. Some other relatives may also qualify depending on your circumstances. To act as a sponsor, you must:

• Hold a valid iqama yourself.
• Meet the salary and housing thresholds that qualify you to bring dependents.
• Have your own residency status and government dues in good standing.

Because the specific salary and profession conditions can vary, confirm your eligibility through the relevant official Saudi government portal before starting.

Understanding the dependent levy (2026)

The dependent levy is a monthly fee charged for every family member you sponsor, regardless of their age. In 2026 the rate is SAR 400 per dependent per month, which works out to SAR 4,800 per dependent per year.

Two points are important to understand:

• The levy is paid by you, the resident sponsor — not by your employer.
• It must be paid in full for the entire period you intend to keep the dependent on your file before the system allows issuance or renewal.

This fee level has remained unchanged since mid-2020, and no increase has been announced for 2026.

How much you pay upfront

The levy is always charged in advance for the full duration you select. the amounts are:

• 3 months: SAR 1,200
• 6 months: SAR 2,400
• 9 months: SAR 3,600
• 12 months: SAR 4,800

Remember these are per-dependent figures, so a family of three dependents on a 12-month renewal would multiply accordingly. Note that some residency categories, such as premium residency, are exempt from the dependent levy for their dependents.

Requirements before issuing or renewing

Before the system will let you issue or renew a dependent's iqama, make sure all of the following are in place:

• Your own sponsor iqama is valid.
• The full dependent levy for the chosen period is paid.
• Any traffic violations and other government dues linked to your file are cleared.

If there are outstanding dues or unpaid violations, the system will block the renewal until they are settled.

How to renew a dependent's iqama online

Dependent iqama renewal is handled electronically through the national e-service portal for residents, using your individual account. In routine cases you do not need to visit a passport office. The steps are:

• Log in to the resident portal with your credentials and the one-time password sent to your registered mobile number.
• Go to Services → E-Services → Sponsored Services → Renew Iqama.
• Select the dependent you want to renew.
• Choose the duration: 3, 6, 9, or 12 months.
• Confirm that the required fees are already paid.
• Submit the renewal.

The same portal also supports renewing the Resident ID of a family member or a registered domestic worker, so most household residency tasks can be completed from one place.

Aligning dependents with the main worker's iqama

Your own iqama as the main worker is generally renewed on the employer side. It is good practice to align the timing so your dependents' iqama periods stay in sync with yours, avoiding a situation where your file lapses while dependents are still active. Plan renewals together, keep your salary certificate and housing details ready, and always confirm the latest requirements and any fee changes directly on the official Saudi government portal before you pay.

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