Saudi Arabia has introduced a more flexible option for issuing and renewing residence permits (Iqama) for domestic workers, allowing employers to choose validity periods starting from three months instead of paying for a full year at once.
The initiative has been launched by the Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat), in cooperation with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) through the Musaned platform.
Under the new service, employers can issue or renew a domestic worker’s Iqama for three months or multiples of three months. The Iqama fees will be paid according to the selected period, making it possible to spread the cost over the year rather than paying the full annual amount upfront.
The move is expected to provide greater financial flexibility for employers by allowing them to better manage their expenses while continuing to meet residency requirements for domestic workers.
According to the announcement, the new option applies to domestic workers and enables quarterly payment of Iqama fees during the issuance or renewal process.
Authorities said the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to improve government services, simplify procedures, and enhance the quality of digital services offered to beneficiaries. It also supports Saudi Arabia’s broader digital transformation goals by providing more flexible and user-friendly government services.
The new service came into effect on Sunday, 19 July 2026.
