Iqama Renewal in Saudi Arabia — Documents, Timeline, Cost

Iqama Renewal 2026: Fees, Timeline & Documents

Iqama renewal costs combine several separate fees that vary by employee count and Saudization ratio.

Base fees

• Annual renewal: SAR 650 (SAR 600 for domestic workers)

• Quarterly options: 3 months SAR 163, 6 months SAR 325, 9 months SAR 488

• Absher Business processing fee: SAR 51.75

Additional employer-side costs

• Expat work permit levy: SAR 700–800/month depending on the company's Saudization ratio (roughly SAR 8,400–9,600/year)

• Dependent levy: SAR 400/month per dependent (about SAR 4,800/year)

Late renewal penalties

First offense: SAR 500. Second offense: SAR 1,000. Third offense: SAR 2,000 or more, with deportation risk.

Required documents

A passport valid for at least 3–6 months, CCHI-verified health insurance (verified automatically), and updated biometrics, with no outstanding fines on the account.

Who legally pays

The employer is legally responsible for the base renewal fee and the expat levy under Article 40 and cannot deduct these from the employee's salary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays the Iqama renewal fee?

The employer, by law — it cannot be deducted from the employee's salary.

What's the penalty for late renewal?

SAR 500 for a first offense, rising with repeated late renewals.

Are there shorter renewal options than a full year?

Yes — 3, 6, or 9-month options exist, useful for short-term workforce planning.

How Inclusive Solutions helps

We track every Iqama deadline and manage renewals for your entire workforce. Talk to our team.