Iqama renewal and dependant fees in Saudi Arabia

How renewal works, who pays and the monthly dependant levy.

Saudi Arabia3 min readLast updated 29 Oct 2026Fact-checked 29 Oct 2026

In short

Your employer renews the Iqama, usually yearly, and pays the work permit fees. Each dependant costs SAR 400 per month in levy, paid at renewal by the employee unless the contract says otherwise.

Renewal
Employer, yearly
Dependant levy
SAR 400/month each
Late fine
SAR 500, then SAR 1,000
Portal
Absher / Muqeem

Step by step

Your progress0 / 3

Tick each step as you finish it. Open a step to see what to do.

  1. Set a reminder 60 days before.

Documents checklist

Documents ready0 / 2

Do’s and don’ts

Do

  • Renew passports early

Don’t

  • Don’t drive or travel with an expired Iqama

Cost estimator

Your estimateSAR 14,400

Untick what doesn't apply to you. These are rough figures and fees change often, so check with the authority.

Watch out

  • Expired Iqama freezes bank accounts and blocks exit/re-entry visas.

Common questions

Can employer charge me Iqama fees?

No. Employee Iqama and work permit fees are the employer’s cost.

Background and more detail

Your employer renews the Iqama, usually yearly, and pays the work permit fees. Each dependant costs SAR 400 per month in levy, paid at renewal by the employee unless the contract says otherwise.

Key facts

  • Renewal: Employer, yearly
  • Dependant levy: SAR 400/month each
  • Late fine: SAR 500, then SAR 1,000
  • Portal: Absher / Muqeem

Steps

  1. Check expiry on Absher – Set a reminder 60 days before.
  2. Pay dependant levy – Through bank SADAD before renewal.
  3. Employer renews – Digital Iqama updates in Absher.

Watch out

  • Expired Iqama freezes bank accounts and blocks exit/re-entry visas.

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