2026 UPDATE
Iqama Fees Calculator
Saudi Arabia · 2026
Calculate your total Iqama issuance and renewal cost including the work permit levy, dependent fees and Absher service charges — based on verified 2026 Ministry of Interior rates.
Iqama Annual Fee
SAR 650
Companies & Institutions
Work Permit Levy
SAR 800/mo
Paid by employer · Article 40
Dependent Fee
SAR 400/mo
Per dependent · 90-day grace
Late Renewal Fine
SAR 500+
First offence · Escalates to deportation
🧮 Iqama Fees Calculator — 2026
Covers Iqama fee · Work permit levy · Dependent levy · Absher processing fee · Health insurance estimate
Work Permit Levy Rate Paid by employer · Article 40
Total Estimated Cost
SAR —
—
—
—
Employer pays (Article 40)
Employee pays
Optional / varies
💰 Cost Breakdown
⚠️ Renew before expiry: First-time late renewal incurs a SAR 500 fine. Repeated delays escalate to SAR 1,000. A third offence can result in deportation. Employers can be fined up to SAR 100,000 per undocumented worker.
Complete Iqama Fee Schedule · 2026
Ministry of Interior · MHRSD · Verified
🪪 Iqama Issuance & Renewal Fees
Quarterly & annual options
| Worker Category | 3 Months | 6 Months | 9 Months | 12 Months | Paid By |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company / Institution Employee | SAR 163 | SAR 325 | SAR 488 | SAR 650 | Employer |
| Agricultural Sector Worker | SAR 163 | SAR 325 | SAR 488 | SAR 650 | Employer |
| Domestic Worker (driver, housekeeper, guard) | SAR 150 | SAR 300 | SAR 450 | SAR 600 | Employer |
🏭 Work Permit Levy (Maktab Amal / Expat Levy)
Paid by employer · Min. 3-month installments
| Duration | SAR 700 / mo Rate | SAR 800 / mo Rate | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Months | SAR 2,100 | SAR 2,400 | Minimum payment period |
| 6 Months | SAR 4,200 | SAR 4,800 | |
| 9 Months | SAR 6,300 | SAR 7,200 | |
| 12 Months (Annual) | SAR 8,400 | SAR 9,600 | SAR 700 if Saudization met; SAR 800 if expats exceed Saudis |
✅ Industrial sector exemption: As of December 2025, the Saudi Cabinet permanently cancelled the work permit levy for companies holding a valid Industrial License. Domestic workers are also exempt from this levy.
👨👩👧 Dependent Levy
SAR 400 per dependent per month · Paid by employee
| Duration | 1 Dependent | 2 Dependents | 3 Dependents | 4 Dependents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Months | SAR 1,200 | SAR 2,400 | SAR 3,600 | SAR 4,800 |
| 6 Months | SAR 2,400 | SAR 4,800 | SAR 7,200 | SAR 9,600 |
| 9 Months | SAR 3,600 | SAR 7,200 | SAR 10,800 | SAR 14,400 |
| 12 Months (Annual) | SAR 4,800 | SAR 9,600 | SAR 14,400 | SAR 19,200 |
🕐 90-day grace period: Newly arrived dependents are exempt from the monthly levy for the first 90 days after registration. The SAR 400/month fee applies from day 91 onwards.
📱 Absher Service Fees & Other Charges
Effective January 2025
| Service | Fee (SAR) | Paid By |
|---|---|---|
| Iqama renewal — Absher processing fee | SAR 51.75 | Employee / Employer |
| New Iqama issuance — Absher processing fee | SAR 51.75 | Employee / Employer |
| Exit & re-entry visa extension | SAR 103.50 | Employee |
| Final exit visa | SAR 70.00 | Employee |
| Updating passport information | SAR 69.00 | Employee |
| Requesting employee report | SAR 28.75 | Employer |
| Profession (job title) change | SAR 1,000 | Employee |
| Adding dependent born outside Saudi Arabia | SAR 2,000 | Employee |
| Sponsorship transfer — 1st time | SAR 2,000 | New Employer |
| Sponsorship transfer — 2nd time | SAR 4,000 | New Employer |
| Sponsorship transfer — 3rd time & onwards | SAR 6,000 | New Employer (fixed) |
| Medical examination (new Iqama issuance) | SAR 200–500 | Employer |
| Health insurance — mandatory minimum | SAR 500+/yr | Employer |
Penalties for Late Renewal · 2026
⚠️ Late Renewal & Compliance Penalties
Employee & employer obligations
| Offence | Penalty | Additional Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| 1st late renewal (employee) | SAR 500 | Fine per instance |
| 2nd late renewal (employee) | SAR 1,000 | Fine per instance |
| 3rd late renewal (employee) | SAR 1,000 | + Possible deportation |
| Not carrying Iqama | SAR 1,000 | Fine per incident |
| Employer — undocumented worker | Up to SAR 100,000 | Per worker · Business closure risk |
| Expired Iqama (general) | Frozen bank accounts · Suspended Absher access · Blocked utility payments · Travel bans · Restricted employment | |
Understanding Iqama Fees in Saudi Arabia · 2026
🏛️
Employer's Legal Obligation
Saudi Labor Law Article 40 requires employers to pay the Iqama fee, work permit levy, and health insurance. Deducting these from an employee's salary is strictly prohibited.
📅
Flexible Quarterly Renewal
Saudi Arabia allows renewal in 3, 6, 9, or 12-month periods for most workers. This gives employers and employees flexibility to align costs with salary cycles.
🏭
Industrial Sector Exemption
Since December 2025, the Saudi Cabinet permanently cancelled the work permit levy for companies holding a valid Industrial License — a major win for Vision 2030's manufacturing push.
👨👩👧
90-Day Grace for New Dependents
Newly registered dependents are exempt from the SAR 400/month levy for the first 90 days after arrival. The fee kicks in from day 91 onwards.
What Is an Iqama?
An Iqama is the official residence permit issued by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior to all expatriates. It serves as proof of legal residency and work authorisation. You need it to open a bank account, rent a home, access healthcare, enroll children in school, purchase a SIM card, and access all government services. Expats must carry their Iqama at all times.
Who Pays What — Quick Summary
- Employer pays: Iqama issuance & renewal fee (SAR 650 / 600), work permit levy (SAR 700–800/month), health insurance, medical examination, sponsorship transfer fee
- Employee pays: Dependent levy (SAR 400/month per dependent), Absher processing fee (SAR 51.75), exit/re-entry visa fee, profession change fee, passport update fee
- Industrial workers: Employer permanently exempt from work permit levy (Cabinet decision, December 2025)
- Domestic workers: Work permit levy does not apply — Iqama fee is SAR 600/year
- New dependents: First 90 days are free; SAR 400/month applies from day 91
How to Renew Your Iqama — Step by Step
- Ensure passport is valid and health insurance is active and verified on the CHI (Council of Cooperative Health Insurance) platform
- Clear all outstanding traffic fines — unpaid fines block the renewal process
- Update biometric data (fingerprint and photo) if required — applicable to Iqama holders and dependents over 15 years
- Employer pays the work permit levy via SADAD
- Employer pays the Iqama renewal fee via Absher Business or Muqeem portal
- Employee pays dependent fees if sponsoring family members
- Digital Iqama updates in Absher within 1–3 business days after payment
- New: Dependents and domestic workers can now renew online via Absher / Muqeem even from outside Saudi Arabia
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Frequently Asked Questions
The base Iqama renewal fee is SAR 650/year for company and institution employees, and SAR 600/year for domestic workers — both paid by the employer. On top of this, the employer pays the work permit levy: SAR 9,600/year (SAR 800/month) if expats outnumber Saudis, or SAR 8,400/year (SAR 700/month) if Saudization targets are met. Quarterly options are also available: SAR 163 (3M), SAR 325 (6M), SAR 488 (9M).
Under Saudi Labor Law Article 40, the work permit levy is paid by the employer. It is illegal to deduct this fee from an employee's salary. The levy is SAR 800/month if expat employees outnumber Saudis, and SAR 700/month when Saudization targets are met. Industrial sector companies are permanently exempt since December 2025.
The dependent levy is SAR 400 per dependent per month, paid by the employee. For one dependent that is SAR 4,800/year. For two dependents, SAR 9,600/year. For three, SAR 14,400/year. Newly arrived dependents enjoy a 90-day grace period — no fee applies for the first 90 days after registration.
Companies with a valid Industrial License are permanently exempt (Saudi Cabinet, December 2025). Domestic workers (housekeepers, private drivers, home guards) are also exempt from the levy. Small businesses with 9 or fewer employees, registered with GOSI, may qualify for partial exemptions for up to 2–4 expatriate employees depending on whether Saudi employees are on their payroll.
A SAR 500 fine applies for the first late renewal. Repeated delays attract SAR 1,000 each. A third offence can result in deportation. Additional consequences include frozen bank accounts, suspended Absher access, blocked utility payments, travel bans, and employment restrictions. Employers can be fined up to SAR 100,000 per undocumented worker.
Yes. Saudi Arabia allows Iqama renewal for 3, 6, 9, or 12 months. The pro-rated costs for a company employee are SAR 163 (3M), SAR 325 (6M), SAR 488 (9M), and SAR 650 (12M). Note that domestic workers are generally renewed on an annual basis only.
Yes. As of recent updates to Absher and Muqeem, dependents and domestic workers can renew their Iqama online even if they are currently outside Saudi Arabia — provided that the head of household remains in the Kingdom and initiates the renewal process through the platform.
The Ministry of Interior charges SAR 51.75 as a value-added service processing fee for Iqama renewals and new issuances through the Absher Business platform (effective January 2025). Additional service-specific fees apply: SAR 103.50 for exit and re-entry visa extension, SAR 70 for a final exit visa, and SAR 69 for updating passport information.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on the latest available fee structure. Health insurance premiums vary by provider and coverage. Actual fees may differ based on employer Saudization level, employment category, and regulatory changes. Always verify current fees through official platforms: Absher, Muqeem, and MHRSD / Qiwa. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.