Everything you need to know about Saudi Arabia's residence permit — from first application to renewal, transfer, and the Premium Residency Green Card. Updated for 2026 regulations.
The Iqama (إقامة) is Saudi Arabia's official residency permit — a government-issued identity card that legally authorises a foreign national to live and work in the Kingdom. Every expatriate residing in Saudi Arabia for more than 90 days is required by law to hold a valid Iqama at all times.
Think of the Iqama as your all-in-one Saudi ID. Unlike a visa, which merely grants you entry permission, the Iqama is your primary form of identification once you're in the country. You'll use it to open a bank account, rent an apartment, sign up for a SIM card, register your children in school, access government healthcare, and nearly every other essential task in daily Saudi life.
Responsibility for obtaining and maintaining your Iqama lies with your employer (your "sponsor" or kafeel), though in practice most expats closely track their own renewal dates to avoid fines and complications.
Since the landmark labour reforms of 2021, Saudi Arabia has progressively dismantled restrictions on changing employers mid-contract, allowing workers with 12+ months of service to transfer to a new employer without the old sponsor's consent. This was a major quality-of-life improvement for expats across the Kingdom.
Not all Iqamas are created equal. The type you receive depends on your employment status, investment level, family relationship, or study program. Each carries slightly different rights, fees, and renewal conditions.
| Type | Who It's For | Duration | Annual Fee (SAR) | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employee Iqama | Foreign employees under a Saudi employer sponsor | 1 year | 650 | Most common type; employer-sponsored |
| Investor / Business Owner | Business owners with a valid Commercial Registration (CR) | 1–3 years | 650–2,000 | Tied to business rather than an employer |
| Dependent / Family | Spouses and children under 18 of Iqama holders | 1 year (linked to sponsor's) | 400 per dependent | Sponsor (head of family) bears costs |
| Student Iqama | Enrolled in a Saudi university or educational institution | 1 year (renewable) | Varies / often waived | Tied to enrollment status |
| Premium Residency (Green Card) | High-net-worth individuals; permanent or annual purchase | Permanent or 1 year | 100,000 (annual) / 800,000 (permanent) | Sponsor-free; can work, invest, own property |
| Domestic Worker | Household staff (drivers, maids, nannies, gardeners) | 2 years | 300 | Employer is private household sponsor |
As of January 2026, the Saudi government has introduced a new Digital Iqama accessible via the Absher mobile app. Whilst the physical card remains the legal standard, the digital version is now accepted at most government service counters, hospitals, and major retail banks. Carry your physical card when travelling domestically by air.
The Iqama process officially begins the moment you step off the plane on your work visa. Your employer is legally responsible for initiating the application, but knowing each step helps you stay on top of the process and avoid unnecessary delays.
You must arrive on a valid work visa (iqama-eligible entry), not a visit or tourist visa. Your employer secures this from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) before you travel. On arrival at the airport, your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) will be captured by immigration. Keep all entry documents safe — you'll need them for the application.
Important: your 90-day grace period to obtain the Iqama starts from your entry date, not the date your employer begins the process. Track this date carefully.
A compulsory medical check is required before the Iqama is issued. You'll be tested for a standard panel that includes HIV, Hepatitis B & C, TB (tuberculosis), and leprosy. The examination takes place at a Ministry of Health (MOH) approved clinic — your employer or HR department will direct you to the nearest one.
Cost: approximately SAR 150–250, usually employer-paid. Results are processed electronically and submitted directly to the government system. The process typically takes 3–7 working days.
Once medical results are clear, your employer (specifically their HR or PRO — Public Relations Officer) submits the Iqama application through the Absher Business or Qiwa government portals. Required documents typically include your passport copy, work visa copy, entry stamp, employment contract, medical clearance certificate, and passport-sized photographs.
As the employee, ensure your employer has a current, valid company file (Istimara) and is compliant with Saudization (Nitaqat) quotas — non-compliant companies can have Iqama processing frozen.
You'll be called to attend the Jawazat (General Directorate of Passports) office for a final biometric capture — typically fingerprints and a photograph. Some modern Jawazat branches and approved service centres (like ENJAZ offices) allow this to be done without a long wait by booking appointments via the Absher app.
Bring the original of: your passport, work visa, entry stamp, and any Jawazat appointment reference. Dress professionally and arrive early — offices can be busy, especially in major cities.
After biometrics are processed, the Iqama card is printed and delivered — either to your employer's address or via courier through the government's registered delivery services. In some cities, you can also collect it in person. Your employer will hand it to you once received.
Check all details carefully: your name spelling (transliteration from Arabic), passport number, employer name, and expiry date. Errors should be corrected immediately through the Jawazat — small mistakes can cause major complications at banks, airports, and government offices down the line.
Fees are set by the Saudi Ministry of Interior and are subject to annual revision. The below reflects current 2026 rates. Note that most employee fees are the legal responsibility of the employer, though this is not always enforced in smaller companies. Always clarify with your HR department before signing your contract.
| Fee Item | Amount (SAR) | Who Pays | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Issue — Employee | SAR 650 | Employer | Payable on initial application |
| Annual Renewal — Employee | SAR 650 | Employer | Due 30 days before expiry |
| First Issue — Dependent (per person) | SAR 400 | Sponsor | Per family member; spouses and children |
| Annual Renewal — Dependent | SAR 400 | Sponsor | Linked to primary Iqama expiry |
| Iqama Replacement (lost/damaged) | SAR 200 | Employee | Additional fee if due to negligence |
| Expired Iqama Penalty (Jawazat — Tiered) | SAR 500 · SAR 1,000 · SAR 1,000 + deportation | Employee / Employer | 1st offence: SAR 500 flat; 2nd offence: SAR 1,000; 3rd offence: SAR 1,000 + formal deportation order. Also immediately freezes employer's Mudad, Qiwa, and GOSI portal access. |
| Employer Transfer Fee | SAR 2,000 | New Employer | Payable when transferring sponsorship |
| Exit Re-Entry Visa — Single | SAR 200 | Employee | Required for international travel |
| Exit Re-Entry Visa — Multiple | SAR 500 | Employee | Valid until Iqama expiry; recommended |
| Final Exit Visa | SAR 0 | — | No charge; must be actioned before leaving KSA permanently |
Iqama fees are reviewed periodically by the Saudi Ministry of Interior and are subject to change. Always verify the current fee schedule through the official Absher portal (absher.sa) or ask your employer's PRO for the latest rates before making any plans based on these figures.
In addition to the Iqama renewal fee, there is a monthly dependent levy of SAR 400 per dependent per month charged to your employer. Families with multiple dependents will find this is often passed on as a reduced family allowance. Budget SAR 4,800+ per year per dependent beyond the first.
The Iqama process takes anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks depending on your employer's efficiency, the completeness of your documents, and the current processing backlog at Jawazat offices. Below is a realistic week-by-week breakdown.
Note: Large multinational employers and companies with PRO teams often complete this process in 3–4 weeks. Smaller companies or those in a lower Nitaqat band may take 6–8 weeks. Keep your original passport accessible as you may need to present it during this period.
Your Iqama must be renewed every year, typically 30 days before expiry. Unlike the initial application, renewal is usually faster (1–2 weeks) and can often be completed entirely online by your employer's PRO. However, you should still track your own expiry date and proactively chase your employer if renewal hasn't started a month out.
The renewal is submitted through the Absher platform by your employer or their PRO. The fee of SAR 650 is debited from the company's account. Once approved, a renewed Iqama card is printed — often the same-day digital version is activated in Absher, with the physical card arriving within 1–2 weeks.
An expired Iqama is a serious legal matter. The Jawazat (General Directorate of Passports) enforces a tiered offence penalty schedule: SAR 500 flat fine (1st offence); SAR 1,000 (2nd offence); SAR 1,000 plus a formal deportation order (3rd offence). An expired Iqama also immediately suspends your employer's access to Mudad, Qiwa, and GOSI portals, blocking salary disbursements, work permit renewals, and all government filings until the Iqama is reinstated. If the Iqama is more than 3 months expired, border bans and exit prohibitions can be placed on your passport, making it impossible to leave the country until all violations are cleared.
Since the Saudi Labour Reform Initiative of 2021, employees who have completed 12 months of service are permitted to transfer to a new employer without needing approval from their current employer. This was a landmark change in the Kafala system and has significantly improved expat working conditions.
Transferring your Iqama does not forfeit your End of Service Benefits (EOSB) accrued with the previous employer. Saudi Labour Law Article 85 entitles you to a proportional EOSB even if you resign (after 2 years, you receive one-third; after 5 years, two-thirds; after 10 years, 100%). Ensure your previous employer processes your final settlement before or immediately after transfer.
Spouses and children under 18 (with exceptions for unmarried daughters of any age and sons in full-time education) may be sponsored on a Dependent Iqama linked to the primary Iqama holder's permit. The process mirrors the main Iqama application but is initiated by the existing Iqama holder through Absher.
Since 2022, the rules around spouses working have been significantly liberalised. A dependent spouse can now apply for a work permit through their own prospective employer via Qiwa without needing the primary Iqama holder's consent. The permit is issued separately from the Iqama but remains linked to the family file.
You have 90 days from your date of entry (as stamped on your passport) to obtain your Iqama. After 90 days, Jawazat tiered penalties apply: SAR 500 (1st offence), SAR 1,000 (2nd offence), SAR 1,000 plus a deportation order (3rd offence) — and your employer's Mudad, Qiwa, and GOSI portal access is immediately suspended. In practice, your employer should begin the process within the first week of your arrival. If your employer has not initiated the process by the end of Week 3, escalate to HR immediately.
Generally, no — not until you have a valid Exit Re-Entry Visa stamped or activated in your passport/Absher. Once your Iqama is issued, you can request either a Single Exit Re-Entry (SAR 200) or a Multiple Exit Re-Entry Visa (SAR 500). Your employer must authorise this. In urgent cases (medical emergency, bereavement), the Jawazat can issue emergency exit permits.
If you lose your job, your Iqama remains technically valid until its expiry date, but since it's tied to your employer, you will need to either transfer to a new employer within 90 days or depart on a Final Exit Visa. Since the 2021 reforms, employers must notify Qiwa of termination, and you are given a 90-day "grace period" to find new employment and initiate a transfer. During this period, you retain the right to remain in the Kingdom legally.
No. Passport confiscation is illegal under Saudi Labour Law and international conventions. Employers may temporarily hold your passport during the initial Iqama application process (typically 3–8 weeks), which is standard practice. However, once the Iqama is issued, you are legally entitled to your passport at all times. If your employer refuses to return it, you can file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) or report through Musaned (for domestic workers).
No, health insurance is not automatically included with your Iqama. However, Saudi labour law mandates that employers provide approved private health insurance for all Iqama-holding employees and their dependents. The Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI) regulates this. You should receive a health insurance card alongside or shortly after your Iqama. If your employer has not provided insurance within 30 days of Iqama issuance, this is a reportable labour violation.
Download the Absher app (iOS/Android — search "Absher" or "أبشر"). Register using your Iqama number, date of birth, and a one-time SMS code sent to the Saudi mobile number linked to your file. Once logged in, you can see your Iqama expiry date, any outstanding fines, exit re-entry visa status, and more. The app is also used to grant permission for dependents to travel. You can also check via hrsd.gov.sa (MHRSD portal) using your Iqama number.
Yes — with a separate work permit. Since 2022, spouses on dependent Iqamas can obtain independent work permits through the Qiwa portal, linked to a prospective employer, without requiring the primary Iqama holder's consent. The work permit does not change the dependent's Iqama status but allows them to be legally employed and to contribute to GOSI (the social insurance system) if applicable.
Nitaqat is Saudi Arabia's Saudization programme that requires private sector companies to maintain a minimum percentage of Saudi nationals in their workforce. Companies are rated Platinum, Green, Yellow, or Red based on their compliance. If your employer falls into the Yellow or Red band, Iqama applications and renewals can be frozen or delayed. This is not your personal legal issue but can affect your administrative timeline significantly. Always confirm your employer's Nitaqat band before accepting a job offer — you can check at hrsd.gov.sa or directly via the Qiwa platform at qiwa.sa.
Report the loss at a Jawazat office or through the Absher app within 24 hours. A police report (balagh) is recommended — obtainable at any police station for free. The replacement card costs SAR 200. Processing takes approximately 5–10 working days. In the interim, carry your Absher digital Iqama on your smartphone and your passport as backup identification. Note: a lost Iqama that is misused by a third party is still your legal and financial responsibility until formally reported.
A Final Exit Visa (also called a Final Exit) is the official notification that you are permanently leaving Saudi Arabia and surrendering your Iqama. It is required whenever you depart on a permanent basis — whether you've completed your contract, resigned, or are retiring. There is no fee. It is processed through Absher by your employer. Once a Final Exit is issued and you depart, your Iqama is cancelled and you cannot re-enter on the same permit. If you plan to return, ensure you depart on a valid Exit Re-Entry Visa, not a Final Exit.
Renewal deadlines, fee changes, MOI alerts — every Thursday.
No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
The information on this page is drawn from official Saudi government bodies and regulatory authorities. Regulations change frequently — verify current requirements directly with the relevant authority before making any legal, financial, or business decisions.