New rules for iqama renewal in Saudi Arabia – 2025
New rules for iqama renewal in Saudi Arabia – 2024 Saudi Arabia is a country that hires many foreign workers. These workers need to have a special residency permit called Iqama, which they must renew regularly. It’s important for both employers and employees to understand how Iqama renewal works. This blog will explain: 1. What is Iqama? Saudi Arabia has strict rules for hiring foreign workers. The Saudi government requires foreign workers to have an Iqama, which is a residency permit. Before you start working in Saudi Arabia, your employer, known as your sponsor, will help you get this permit. Once you have your Iqama, you can live and work legally in Saudi Arabia. Your Iqama is usually valid for the same length as your work contract. Most Iqamas are valid for one year and need to be renewed after that. Employers and workers need to regularly check their Iqama status to make sure it’s up to date. If you need help with hiring workers in the UAE or Dubai, our Sony Manpower Consultant team can assist. Steps to Renewal Iqama in Saudi Arabia (2024) 2. Iqama Renewal Fees 2024 The cost of renewing Iqama depends on different factors. Here are the common fees: 2.1 Iqama Issuance and Renewal Fees (2024) Renewing or issuing an Iqama costs SAR 650. You can choose to pay based on how long you want to renew it for: 2.2 Work Permit Fees (2024) Your employer also needs to renew your work permit. This costs SAR 800 per month. You can pay for a minimum of three months at a time: 2.3 Dependent Fees (2024) If you’re sponsoring family members, you must pay a fee of SAR 400 per dependent, per month: 2.4 How to Calculate Iqama Renewal Fees To calculate the fees, you’ll need to add up the costs for Iqama and work permits. If you have dependents, you must include their fees too. For example, if you renew your Iqama and work permit for 3 months with no dependents, you will pay SAR 163 for Iqama and SAR 2,400 for the work permit. The total will be SAR 2,563. If you have one dependent, add SAR 1,200 for a total of SAR 3,763. 2.5 Fees for Domestic Workers The fees for domestic workers depend on how many you hire. For small businesses with fewer than nine workers, fees are exempt if they employ a Saudi worker full-time. 3. Iqama Renewal Process in Saudi Arabia It’s essential to renew your Iqama on time. If you miss the iqama renewal date, there are penalties. The fines are: 3.1 Requirements for Iqama Renewal To renew your Iqama, you need: 3.2 Who is Responsible for Renewing Iqama? Your employer is responsible for renewing your Iqama and paying the renewal fees. You don’t need to fill out forms or pay yourself, unless you have dependents, in which case you must pay their fees. If your employer refuses to renew your Iqama, they are breaking the law, and you can file a complaint. 3.3 How to Renew Iqama The Iqama renewal process is straightforward and can be done online. Employers can renew Iqamas even 6 months in advance, and the process works even if the worker is outside Saudi Arabia. Here’s how employers renew Iqamas: 3.4 What Happens if You Don’t Renew Iqama on Time? It’s important to know your Iqama expiry date and renew it on time. If you delay the renewal, there will be fines and legal issues. More Resources: How to Check Iqama Status, Expiry, Penalties & Renewal in Saudi How to Change Iqama Profession in Saudi Arabia- 3 Methods What is Saudi Arabia Resident Identity Card (Iqama)
