How to Renew Your Iqama in Saudi Arabia

Your Iqama (residency permit) must be renewed every year. Failing to renew on time results in daily fines of SAR 100 per day. Renewal is done through Absher and requires your employer's action — but you should monitor the process yourself and not assume your employer will handle it automatically.

Highlights

★Iqama renewal is initiated by your employer (sponsor) through Absher Business — not by you directly. Your role is to monitor and follow up.
★Renewal fines of SAR 100 per day start the day after your Iqama expires — there is no grace period.
★The Iqama renewal fee is SAR 650 per year (standard one-year renewal). This is paid by your employer in most employment contracts, but check yours.
★Medical insurance must be active and valid before Absher will allow the renewal to process — a lapsed policy blocks renewal.
★Your national address must be registered and up to date — an unregistered address can block Iqama renewal on Absher.
★Once renewal is processed on Absher, the digital Iqama is updated immediately. The physical Iqama card arrives by mail within 2–4 weeks.

What's Your Situation?

My Iqama expires in the next 1–3 monthsContact your employer's HR or PRO now and confirm they have initiated renewal on Absher Business. Don't wait — start following up at least 2 months before expiry.

My Iqama already expiredSAR 100/day fines are accumulating. Contact your employer immediately. Also check the Absher app to confirm the current overstay fine amount — your employer must settle fines before renewal can process.

My employer says it's being renewed but Absher still shows expiredAsk your employer for the Absher renewal transaction number (رقم العملية). Use this to track progress on Absher or follow up with Jawazat directly.

My employer refuses to renew my IqamaThis is a labour violation. File a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources (MHRSD) through musaned.com.sa or call 19911. You can also contact Qiwa platform for employment dispute help.

I want to renew my dependent family members' IqamasDependent Iqamas are renewed together with yours through Absher — the same process covers the main Iqama holder and all listed dependents. Dependent levies (SAR 400/month each) must also be paid.

Who Is This For?

Expatriates in Saudi Arabia on a work visa whose Iqama is due for annual renewal, or whose Iqama has already expired.

What You Need Before Starting

✓An active Absher Individual account (to monitor your status)
✓Your employer must have an active Absher Business account and be in good standing with MHRSD
✓Valid medical/health insurance policy covering the renewal period
✓Registered national address (required by Jawazat for Iqama delivery)
✓No outstanding Iqama overstay fines — or fines must be paid before renewal can proceed
✓Valid passport (minimum 6 months remaining validity is strongly recommended)

Step-by-Step Process

1Check your Iqama expiry date on Absher — log in to absher.sa or the Absher app and go to 'My Profile' → 'Iqama Information'. Note the expiry date (shown in Hijri calendar — convert it to Gregorian using any online converter). If your Iqama expires within 3 months, begin the renewal process immediately.
2Contact your employer's HR department or PRO (Public Relations Officer) — tell them your Iqama expiry date and ask them to initiate the renewal on Absher Business. Most companies process renewals as a routine HR task, but many do not track individual expiry dates proactively. You need to prompt them. Get a written response confirming they have started the process.
3Ensure your medical insurance is active — Absher checks this automatically when your employer attempts to process the renewal. If your company's group insurance policy has lapsed or your name was removed from the policy, the renewal will be blocked until the insurance issue is resolved. Confirm your coverage with your HR or insurance provider.
4Check that your national address is registered — if you have never registered a national address or if it has expired, go to spl.com.sa to register or update it. An unregistered address can block the Iqama renewal and delay delivery of the physical card. See how to register your national address.
5Your employer logs in to Absher Business and initiates the renewal — they select your file, confirm your details, pay the SAR 650 renewal fee (plus any accumulated fines), and submit the renewal. This step is entirely on the employer's side. You cannot do this yourself. Once submitted, Absher generates a transaction number.
6Track the renewal status on your Absher Individual account — log in and go to 'My Services' → 'Iqama Services' → 'Iqama Status'. The status should change from 'Active' or 'Expired' to 'Under Renewal' once your employer submits. If it stays on 'Expired' for more than 2–3 working days after your employer claims to have submitted, ask for the transaction number and call the Jawazat helpline (920001000) to verify.
7Once the renewal is processed, your digital Iqama is updated immediately in Absher — you can view and download the updated details right away. Take a screenshot of the new expiry date as confirmation. Your employer receives a digital receipt of the renewal transaction.
8The physical Iqama card is printed and mailed to your registered national address — this typically takes 2–4 weeks from the date of renewal. You do not need to collect it from any office. If you do not receive the physical card within 4 weeks, check the card status on Absher or contact Jawazat. The digital record in Absher is legally valid even while you wait for the physical card.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗Assuming your employer will remind you — most HR departments do not track individual Iqama expiry dates. Monitor your own Iqama and prompt your employer.
✗Waiting until expiry to start the renewal process — by the time you notice it has expired, fines are already accumulating at SAR 100/day.
✗Not having valid medical insurance — a lapsed policy silently blocks the renewal on Absher. Always confirm your insurance is active before the renewal date.
✗Letting your national address lapse — an expired or unregistered national address blocks Iqama renewal and means your physical card cannot be delivered.
✗Believing 'under renewal' means fines have stopped — if your Iqama expired before the renewal was submitted, fines accumulated up to the submission date still need to be paid.
✗Travelling internationally while the Iqama is in 'under renewal' status — wait until the renewal is fully processed and your new expiry date shows in Absher before travelling.

Timing & Fees

Start the renewal process at least 2 months before expiry. Renewal can technically be done up to 3 months early without penalty. The standard renewal fee is SAR 650 per year. For dependent family members, add SAR 650/year per person plus SAR 4,800/year per dependent in expat levies. Any accumulated overstay fines (SAR 100/day after expiry) must also be settled before renewal can process. Once submitted on Absher, the digital renewal processes immediately. Physical card delivery: 2–4 weeks.

Practical Tips

💡Set a personal calendar reminder 2 months before your Iqama expiry — check the exact date in Absher now and put an alert in your phone.
💡Keep a screenshot of your Iqama status on Absher after renewal as proof of valid residency while your physical card is in the mail.
💡If your passport expires before your Iqama, renew your passport first — your new passport number must be linked to your Iqama in Absher by your employer.
💡Ask your HR department to confirm the renewal fee is covered by your employer — this is standard in most employment contracts, but some SMEs ask employees to reimburse the cost.
💡Tawakkalna app shows your Iqama validity status — a quick way to check at any time without navigating the Absher website.
💡If you are changing jobs (Kafala transfer), your new employer assumes responsibility for the next Iqama renewal after the transfer completes.
💡If you are leaving Saudi Arabia permanently and do not plan to renew, see how to apply for a final exit visa — the final exit cancels your Iqama and closes your residency without needing renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Iqama myself without my employer?

No. Iqama renewal must be initiated by your employer (sponsor) through Absher Business. If your employer refuses or is unresponsive, file a complaint with the Ministry of Human Resources (MHRSD) at musaned.com.sa or call their helpline at 19911.

What is the daily fine for an expired Iqama?

SAR 100 per day, starting the day after your Iqama expiry. There is no grace period. If you are outside Saudi Arabia when your Iqama expires, fines still accumulate and must be paid before your return and renewal.

What happens if I travel while my Iqama is expired?

You may be flagged at the border and fined at the airport when returning to Saudi Arabia. Airlines sometimes check Iqama validity before boarding. Do not travel with an expired Iqama — complete the renewal first.

Can I renew my Iqama early?

Yes — renewal can be initiated up to 3 months before the expiry date without any penalty. The new Iqama will be valid for one year from the original expiry date (not from the date you applied), so you do not lose any validity by renewing early.

Why is my national address blocking my Iqama renewal?

Saudi law requires expats to have a registered national address in the SPL (Saudi Post) system. This address is where your physical Iqama card is mailed. If your national address is unregistered, expired, or incorrect, the Jawazat system may block the renewal. Register or update it at spl.com.sa.

My employer says renewal is done but my Absher still shows expired — what do I do?

Ask your employer for the Absher Business transaction number for the renewal submission. With that number, call the Jawazat helpline (920001000) or visit your nearest Jawazat office to verify the status. If the submission was not actually made, escalate to your HR manager directly.

What if my employer goes bankrupt or closes — who renews my Iqama?

This is a complex situation. The Ministry of Human Resources has a protection fund for workers whose employers fail to meet obligations. Contact MHRSD at 19911 for guidance. You can also initiate a Kafala transfer to a new employer, which will take over sponsorship and Iqama renewal responsibility.