Saudi Iqama Renewal Cost Calculator 2026
Full cost of renewing a Saudi Iqama for 3–12 months: SAR 650 Iqama fee, SAR 800 / 700 monthly work-permit levy, SAR 400 dependent levy, insurance, Absher charges and late penalties — split into what the employer must pay under Article 40 and what the worker usually bears.
| Iqama fee (worker) | — |
|---|---|
| Work-permit levy (Maktab Amal) — employer | — |
| Dependent levy | — |
| Dependent Iqama fees (18+) | — |
| Health insurance | — |
| Absher processing | — |
| Late penalty | — |
| Employer must pay (Art. 40) | — |
| Usually borne by the worker | — |
In short
Renewing a Saudi Iqama for a year costs the employer about SAR 11,500 for a single worker — SAR 650 Iqama fee, SAR 9,600 work-permit levy (SAR 8,400 where Saudis are at least half the staff; nil for industrial-licence companies since Dec 2025), insurance and SAR 51.75 Absher — which Article 40 forbids deducting from salary, while the SAR 4,800-a-year dependent levy per family member and dependents' fees are usually the worker's; late renewal is fined SAR 500, then 1,000, then 1,000 plus possible deportation.
Who this is for: Expats in Saudi Arabia and their employers or PROs budgeting a 3–12 month Iqama renewal, and workers checking which fees the law requires the employer to pay.
What an Iqama renewal costs — and who legally pays
Four charges arrive together at renewal. The Iqama fee itself is SAR 650 a year (SAR 600 for domestic workers). The work-permit levy (Maktab Amal / expat levy) is SAR 800 a month — SAR 9,600 a year — or SAR 700 where Saudis make up at least half the workforce; it was cancelled permanently for industrial-licence companies in December 2025 and small establishments can exempt two to four workers. The dependent levy is SAR 400 a month per family member, and dependents aged 18+ pay a SAR 500 Iqama fee. Each Iqama carries a SAR 51.75 Absher charge and must have CCHI health insurance in force.
Article 40 of the Labor Law makes the employer responsible for the worker's own fees — Iqama, work permit, levy, insurance and exit/re-entry — and forbids deducting them from salary. The family levy and dependents' fees are the worker's unless the contract says otherwise. Renewing late costs SAR 500 the first time, SAR 1,000 the second and SAR 1,000 plus possible deportation the third, so the calculator shows the penalty too.
See also: Saudi Dependent Fee Calculator (SAR 400 Family Levy), Saudi Iqama Renewal & Expat Levy Calculator, Iqama Expiry & Days Remaining Calculator, Saudi Iqama Transfer (Naql Kafala) Fee Calculator.
Assumptions
- Iqama SAR 650 (SAR 600 domestic), work-permit levy SAR 800 / 700 a month, dependent levy SAR 400 a month, dependent Iqama SAR 500 (18+), Absher SAR 51.75 per Iqama.
- Industrial-licence companies pay no work-permit levy; small-establishment exemptions (2–4 workers) are not modelled.
- Employer share = worker Iqama, levy, worker insurance and Absher (Art. 40); worker share = dependent fees and late penalties unless the contract says otherwise.
- Exit/re-entry, Ajeer, profession change and traffic fines are excluded.
Worked example
Iqama SAR 650 + levy SAR 9,600 + worker insurance SAR 1,200 + Absher SAR 51.75 = SAR 11,502 the employer must pay. Dependents: levy 2 × 400 × 12 = SAR 9,600 + insurance SAR 1,600 + Absher SAR 103.50 = SAR 11,304 usually borne by the worker (no adult-dependent Iqama fee). Total SAR 22,805 for the year.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Iqama renewal in 2026?
SAR 650 for the Iqama itself plus the SAR 9,600-a-year work-permit levy (SAR 8,400 for Saudized employers), insurance and SAR 51.75 Absher fee — about SAR 11,500 for a single worker, all payable by the employer.
Can my employer deduct the Iqama or levy from my salary?
No. Article 40 of the Labor Law puts recruitment, Iqama, work-permit, levy and exit/re-entry costs on the employer. Deductions can be reported to the Ministry (MHRSD).
Can I renew for less than a year?
Yes — 3, 6, 9 or 12 months, with fees and levies pro-rated; the passport must be valid for at least the period requested.
What happens if the Iqama expires?
SAR 500 fine the first time, SAR 1,000 the second, and SAR 1,000 plus possible deportation the third; the worker also cannot bank, travel or renew insurance meanwhile.
Who is exempt from the work-permit levy?
Industrial-licence companies (since Dec 2025), two to four workers at establishments with nine or fewer staff, domestic workers up to the exempt count, and Premium Residency holders.
Is the dependent levy part of renewal?
Yes — the family levy for the full period must be paid before dependent Iqamas renew, and it is normally the worker's cost.
What is Maktab Amal?
The work-permit (labour office) fee — the SAR 800 or 700 monthly levy paid through Qiwa before the Iqama can be renewed.
Is the levy pro-rated for part-year renewals?
Yes, the levy, Iqama fee and dependent fees are all charged for the number of months renewed.
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