The base renewal fee
The starting point is the simplest part. The base annual Iqama renewal fee is around SAR 650 for employees of companies and institutions, and about SAR 600 for domestic workers. Since early 2025, a small Absher processing fee of roughly SAR 51.75 applies per renewal transaction on top of this.
If the base fee were the whole story, renewing an Iqama would be cheap. But for most private-sector workers the base fee is only a fraction of the real total, because the work permit levy sits on top of it.
| Worker type | Base fee (per year) | Processing fee |
|---|---|---|
| Company / institution employee | ~ SAR 650 | ~ SAR 51.75 |
| Domestic worker | ~ SAR 600 | Varies |
The work permit levy (the big one)
This is the cost that surprises most people. The work permit levy — sometimes called the expat levy — is an annual charge tied to your work permit, and it dwarfs the base fee. The exact amount depends on your employer's Saudization (Nitaqat) status, meaning the ratio of Saudi nationals to expats in the company.
| Company situation | Levy per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Saudization targets met | ~ SAR 8,400 | ~ SAR 700 |
| Expats outnumber Saudis | ~ SAR 9,600 | ~ SAR 800 |
Dependent and companion fees
If your family lives with you in the Kingdom, each dependent adds a recurring cost. The dependent (or companion) fee is about SAR 400 per month per person — roughly SAR 4,800 per year for each family member you sponsor.
Two details that often save money:
- 90-day grace for new arrivals. A newly arrived dependent is usually free for the first 90 days; the monthly fee applies from day 91.
- Some categories are exempt. Specific exemptions can apply, so it's worth confirming your dependents' status rather than assuming the fee applies to everyone.
Renewing for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months
You don't have to renew for a full year. Saudi Arabia allows residents to renew in 3, 6, 9 or 12-month blocks, with the base fee scaled to the period you choose. This flexibility is useful if you're between jobs or planning a final exit later in the year.
| Period | Approx. base cost |
|---|---|
| 3 months | ~ SAR 163 |
| 6 months | ~ SAR 325 |
| 9 months | ~ SAR 488 |
| 12 months | ~ SAR 650 |
Note that domestic workers are generally excluded from the shorter quarterly option, and the work permit levy follows its own minimum payment rules.
Who legally pays?
This is important, and many workers don't know it. For company-sponsored employees, the employer is legally responsible for the Iqama renewal fee and the work permit levy. Deducting these costs from an employee's salary is a violation of Saudi Labour Law.
Late renewal penalty
Renewing on time is cheaper than renewing late. The penalties escalate:
| Situation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| First late renewal | ~ SAR 500 |
| Repeated delay | ~ SAR 1,000 |
| Continued non-compliance | Further action possible |
For the full picture, see our dedicated guide on how the Iqama late renewal fine works.
Putting it together
For a typical private-sector employee with no dependents, a rough annual total looks like the base fee plus the work permit levy plus the work permit licence — so the levy is by far the largest line. Add roughly SAR 4,800 per year for each dependent who lives with you. That's why two colleagues with "the same Iqama" can pay very different totals: it all depends on the employer's Saudization status and how many family members are sponsored.