Sponsoring Family in Saudi Arabia: Dependent Iqama Guide

Bringing your spouse, children, or parents to live with you in Saudi Arabia is one of the most common milestones for expatriate families. The good news is that most of the process — from issuing an entry visa to renewing a dependent's Resident ID (Iqama) — can now be completed electronically through the أبشر platform, without visiting passport offices. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through who you can sponsor, the fees involved, and the exact steps to follow.

Who can you sponsor?

As a resident with a valid Iqama and an eligible profession, you can typically sponsor immediate family members such as your spouse and children. Sponsoring parents is possible for some categories but involves stricter conditions. Each dependent is registered under your file, and you remain responsible for their legal status, fees, and renewals for as long as they live under your sponsorship.

Understanding the fees

Family sponsorship comes with several separate costs. Knowing them in advance helps you budget accurately and avoid delays. As of 2026, the main charges are:

• Dependent residence levy: SAR 400 Importantly, the first 90 days after arrival are fee-free, and the levy applies only to the period after that. It is usually paid a full year in advance through SADAD or online banking linked to أبشر.
• Dependent Iqama issuance/renewal fee: about SAR 650 paid in addition to the levy.
• Dependent entry visa fee: roughly SAR 200–500 paid through أبشر before they travel. The visa is generally valid for around 90 days from issuance.
• Newborn Iqama fee: for some categories, an issuance fee of SAR 2,000 applies to a child born after the family visa was issued.
• Absher processing fee: from January 2025, a service fee is charged on issuance and renewal transactions — typically around SAR 51.75 with some schedules listing SAR 75 for renewal depending on the channel used.
• Card delivery fee: about SAR 40 to have the physical Resident ID card delivered to your registered National Address.

Because published fee schedules can change, always confirm the current amounts on أبشر before paying.

Step 1: Issue the dependent entry visa

Before your family member travels, you request their entry visa online:

• Log in to أبشر and go to Services → My Family's Services (or Dependent Services).
• Select "Issue/Request Entry Visa for Dependent."
• Enter the family member's passport details and upload the required documents.
• Pay the dependent entry visa fee to finalize the request.

Once issued, the visa allows your family member to enter the Kingdom, usually within about 90 days.

Step 2: Issue the dependent Iqama within 90 days of arrival

After your family member arrives, you must complete their Iqama procedures within 90 days. To do this:

• Log in to أبشر and open Family Members / Resident ID Services.
• Select the dependent — they will be identified by their border (entry) number.
• Start the Iqama issuance service.
• Ensure all base government fees are fully paid: the Iqama fee, the dependent levy, and any applicable work-related levy.
• Finalize issuance once payment is confirmed.

After electronic issuance, you can request delivery of the physical Resident ID card to your registered National Address.

Renewing a dependent Iqama

Renewals follow the same principle: all fees must be settled before أبشر will process the transaction. Because the levy is usually paid a year ahead, plan your payment before the Iqama expiry date to avoid penalties or a lapse in legal status. You can renew for the whole family from your أبشر account in a few steps once the balances are cleared.

Practical tips

• Keep your own Iqama valid — you cannot process dependent services if your file has issues.
• Register and verify your National Address so card delivery works smoothly.
• Budget for the full annual levy in advance, especially for larger families.
• Complete the newborn's paperwork promptly to avoid the higher issuance fee window closing on you.
• While most steps are fully electronic, some sponsors still complete certain procedures in person at passport service points if needed.

With a valid file, cleared fees, and the أبشر app on your phone, sponsoring and renewing family Iqamas is now a largely paperless process — leaving you free to focus on settling your family into life in the Kingdom.

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