Obtaining and renewing your Iqama
Complete procedure for obtaining or renewing your Iqama (residence permit). Required documents, processing times and costs for 2026.
The Iqama (إقامة) is your residence permit required in Saudi Arabia. Without it, it is impossible to rent accommodation, enroll your children in school, open a bank account, drive, or bring your family over.
This comprehensive guide explains step by step how obtain, renew, transfer and use your Iqama, with parts, 2026 costs, deadlines and Absher procedures.
Annual cost
9,600 SAR
Work permit · 800 SAR/month
Validity
1 year
Renewable indefinitely
Passport required
6 months min.
Upon entering the territory
Deadline
7–30 days
After medical examination
🆔 What is the Iqama?
The Iqama is a smart residence card (credit card format) issued by the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) from the Saudi Ministry of the Interior. It bears your national identity number (ID number) a 10-digit number that will follow you throughout your life as an expat in Saudi Arabia.
Every expatriate residing in the Kingdom must obtain one within 90 days of his arrival. It replaces the work visa once you are there and constitutes your official identity document for all procedures.
📋 The different types of Iqama
- Iqama worker — Issued to an employee sponsored by a Saudi company (kafil). The most common type.
- Dependent Iqama (Mourafiq) — For the wife and children (up to 18 years old, 25 for students). Attached to the Iqama of the head of the family.
- Domestic Iqama — For domestic staff (driver, housekeeper). Sponsor = private individual.
- Iqama Premium (Iqama dhahabiyyah) — Permanent or long-term temporary residency, without kafil, for investors and talented individuals. Application required by the Premium Residency Center.
- Iqama student — Issued to students of Saudi universities, sponsor = institution.
🛠️ Obtaining your first Iqama · steps
- Arrival in Saudi Arabia with your work visaYour employer will send you a work visa before departure. Check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months.
- Medical examination (Medical fitness test)To be performed at an approved center (GAMCA or partner). Blood tests, chest x-ray, screening. Approximately 300–500 SAR (often covered by the employer).
- Biometric fingerprintingAt the local Jawazat or via your employer's HR department, which often handles the process.
- Submission of the application by the employer (kafil)Your employer submits the request on Muqeem Or Qiwa. You do not have to go to the Jawazat yourself for the first request.
- Payment of annual taxesIqama fees, work permit (800 SAR/month) and health insurance — paid by the employer, sometimes deducted from salary.
- Iqama card presentationAverage processing time 7 to 30 days after the medical examination. You will receive your physical map as well as your 10-digit ID number.
📄 Required documents
- Original passport with at least validity period: 6 months.
- Work visa valid (entry visa stamped on arrival).
- ID photos recent (white background, 4×6 cm, 4 copies).
- Medical certificate issued by an approved center.
- Employment contract signed and registered on the platform Qiwa.
- Employment certificate (Istiqdam) of the employer.
- Health insurance (CCHI) subscribed by the employer.
- For the family: marriage certificate + birth certificates translated into Arabic and legalized (apostille + Saudi embassy of the country of origin).
💰 Costs & taxes (2026 rates)
Expenses to be borne by the employer
- Iqama Fees : several hundred SARs per year (variable depending on profile).
- Work permit : 9,600 SAR/year (800 SAR/month).
- Issuance/renewal fees : 100 SAR.
- CCHI Health Insurance : variable (400–2,500 SAR/year depending on coverage).
Additional costs (at your expense)
- Dependent tax (Muqeem fees) : 400 SAR/month per person (spouse, children). To be paid Before the annual renewal.
- dependent Iqama : 100 SAR card fee per person.
⏱️ Processing times
- First Iqama : 7 to 30 days after the medical examination.
- Annual renewal : instant on Absher if taxes paid and passport valid.
- Replacement (loss/theft) : 3 to 14 days.
- Sponsor change : 1 to 30 days depending on employer agreement.
🔄 Renew your Iqama via Absher
The renewal takes place every year., no later than 3 days before expiry. It is strongly recommended to anticipate 1 to 3 months.
- Log in to Absher IndividualOn absher.sa or the mobile app. Nafath authentication is recommended.
- Check dependent taxesMenu Services → Dependent Fees. Pay 400 SAR/month × number of months remaining.
- Check the health insuranceYour CCHI must be active and valid until the new date of Iqama.
- Payment of fees via SADADBank transfer or online payment. Receipt available immediately.
- Confirmation of renewalThe status changes to "Renewed". You can download the new digital Iqama (Tawakkalna) while we wait for the physical card.
👨👩👧 Iqama family (dependents)
To bring your family over, you must first fulfill several conditions:
- Minimum monthly wage : 3,000 SAR (regulated professions may require 5,000+ SAR).
- Eligible profession Not all of them are; see the list. Istiqdam authorized professions.
- Accommodation : lease agreement in your name registered on Ejar.
- Family Reunion Visa Application via Enjaz, for a first entry.
- Upon arrival : submission of the file for the Iqama dependent on the Jawazat (90 days max).
🔁 Sponsor transfer (Nakl Kafala)
Changing employers requires a Nakl Kafala (Sponsorship transfer). Since the 2021 labor market reform, the conditions have been eased:
- With the employer's agreement : immediate transfer via Qiwa.
- Without agreement : possible if contract has expired, non-payment of salary is proven, or after 1 year of actual employment (under conditions).
- Costs : free the first time, 2,000 SAR the second, 4,000 SAR the third, 6,000 SAR thereafter.
⚠️ Expiration & penalties
- 1st delay : fine of 500 SAR.
- 2nd delay : fine doubled to 1,000 SAR.
- 3rd delay : risk of deportation and prohibition of return.
- Iqama expired > 90 days : irregular situation, no possibility of leaving the country without a special Exit Visa.
✅ What your Iqama allows you
🏠 Accommodation
To rent out
Ejar contracts in your name
🏦 Bank
Open an account
Alinma, NCB, Al Rajhi…
🚗 Driving
KSA license
Exchange or exam
🎓 School
To educate
International & Public Schools
📱 SIM
Mobile plan
STC, Mobily, Zain postpaid
✈️ Travel
Exit/Re-entry
Exit visa via Absher
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for my Iqama myself without my employer?
No. The worker's Iqama is necessarily Initiated by the sponsor (kafil). However, you can track and manage your case via Absher once the Iqama is issued.
What should I do if I lose my Iqama card?
Report the loss immediately to the police station to obtain a report. Your employer will then submit a replacement request through the Jawazat. Cost: 1,000 SAR for the first loss, 2,000 SAR for the second.
Can the Iqama be refused?
Yes, mainly in the event of a non-compliant medical examination (HIV, active tuberculosis, hepatitis), missing document, or if the employer's expatriate quota is reached (Nitaqat program).
How to pay late dependent taxes
Taxes are automatically accrued. You must pay the full amount via Absher or SADAD before any renewal. There is no specific penalty, but renewal is blocked.
Can I keep my Iqama after I leave my job?
No, the Iqama is tied to the sponsor. You must either transfer the kafala to a new employer or leave the Kingdom within 60 days with a Final Exit Visa.
Is the Iqama Premium a good option for a family?
Yes: it allows you to settle in without kafil, to invest, buy real estate, and work freely. Cost: SAR 4,000/year (temporary) to SAR 800,000 (permanent, one-time payment). It covers the spouse and dependent children.
How can I verify the validity of my Iqama?
On Absher, menu Services → Query Iqama Validity. You can also use the app Tawakkalna which displays your digital Iqama.