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Iqama Renewal Fees in Saudi Arabia (2026)
Every expat in Saudi Arabia lives on a residence permit — the iqama — and it must be renewed, usually every year. Renewal involves government fees, and those fees are a frequent source of confusion, anxiety, and outdated WhatsApp forwards. This page explains the structure of the fees so you understand what you are looking at, but it deliberately does not publish 2026 figures: fee amounts change, and a stale number on this page could cost you real money.
The three components of renewal cost
FACT-CHECK: the component structure below (work-permit levy with Saudization-linked tiers; dependent fee per dependent per month; iqama issuance fee) reflects commonly cited descriptions. Do NOT add specific SAR figures without verifying against qiwa.sa / hrsd.gov.sa at publication time.
Iqama renewal is not a single fee. Conceptually, the cost breaks into:
1. The work-permit levy (expat levy / Maktab al-Amal fee)
This is the charge for the privilege of employing an expatriate worker. It is commonly described as having tiers linked to the employer’s Saudization ratio — companies with fewer Saudi employees relative to expats commonly face a higher tier. The tier structure and amounts are set by the authorities and have changed multiple times, which is exactly why we do not print a number here.
2. The dependent fee
If your spouse or children live with you in Saudi Arabia on your sponsorship, a monthly fee per dependent applies, typically settled at iqama renewal time for the year ahead. This is separate from the work-permit levy and is commonly the expat’s own cost.
3. Iqama issuance / administrative fees
Smaller administrative charges for issuing the renewed permit itself. These are minor next to the levy and dependent fee but still part of the total.
Who pays what: employer vs. employee
FACT-CHECK: "employer pays work permit/iqama fees; expat pays dependent fee" is the commonly cited division. Confirm current official position; individual contracts may allocate differently.
The commonly cited division of responsibility:
| Fee | Commonly paid by |
|---|---|
| Work-permit levy + iqama issuance | Employer — commonly understood as the employer’s legal responsibility |
| Dependent fee | Expat employee — commonly paid by the worker for their own family members |
Two caveats. First, your contract may say something different — some employers cover dependents as a perk, and some contracts try to push work-permit costs onto the worker. Read your contract. Second, if anyone asks you to pay a fee in cash with no receipt, stop and verify the official amount first.
How to verify the current rates (official sources)
Because we will not give you a number, here is exactly where to get one:
- Qiwa platform — qiwa.sa. The government’s labor-services platform; fee schedules and renewal transactions live here.
- HRSD — hrsd.gov.sa. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development publishes official fee decisions.
- Absher — the interior ministry platform shows your iqama status and renewal transactions.
Rule of thumb: if a figure comes from a blog, a YouTube video, or a forwarded message — including this site, if it ever displays one — treat it as unverified until you have confirmed it on one of the three sources above.
Common pitfalls to avoid
- Budgeting from last year’s numbers. The levy tiers have a history of changing; last year’s figure is a rumor, not a quote.
- Paying the dependent fee late. Dependents’ fees are commonly calculated monthly — delays can compound. Check the official timing on Qiwa/Absher.
- Letting the iqama expire. An expired iqama can freeze your banking, travel, and government transactions. Track the expiry date yourself; do not rely solely on your employer’s PRO.
- Paying without a receipt. Every riyal of government fees should produce an official receipt or transaction record. No receipt, no payment.
Frequently asked questions
How much does iqama renewal cost in 2026?
We do not publish a 2026 figure on this page because fees change and outdated numbers cause real harm. Check the current rates on the Qiwa platform (qiwa.sa) or the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development site (hrsd.gov.sa) before you budget or pay.
Who pays the iqama renewal fee — me or my employer?
The work-permit and iqama renewal fees are commonly understood to be the employer’s responsibility, while the dependent fee for family members is commonly paid by the expat. Confirm the arrangement in your contract, and verify the current position with HRSD or Qiwa.
What is the dependent fee?
The dependent fee is a monthly charge per dependent (spouse, children) that the expat pays alongside iqama renewal. It is separate from the work-permit levy and is commonly paid by the employee, not the employer. Verify the current monthly rate on Qiwa or hrsd.gov.sa.
What is the expat levy / work-permit levy?
The expat levy — also called the work-permit (Maktab al-Amal) fee — is a charge on employing expatriate workers, commonly described as having tiers linked to the employer’s Saudization ratio. It is paid by the employer as part of the iqama renewal process. Tiers and amounts change, so verify current figures officially.
Where do I check the current official iqama renewal rates?
The Qiwa platform (qiwa.sa) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (hrsd.gov.sa) are the authoritative sources for current fees. Treat any figure on blogs or social media — including this page if it ever shows one — as unverified until confirmed there.
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