1 expat · 12-month renewal
- Expat levy (SAR 800/month × 12)
- SAR 9,600
- Work permit (SAR 100/year)
- SAR 100
- Iqama (SAR 650/year)
- SAR 650
1 expat(s)
secondary source
Total per yearSAR10,350
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Iqama Renewal Cost Calculator 2026
How much does it cost to renew an iqama in Saudi Arabia, with the expat levy and dependant fees?
Checked against HRSD rules · reviewed 1 Oct 2026 · next review 1 Jan 2027
Enter how many expats you're renewing, your Saudi headcount and any dependants. You get the yearly expat levy, work permit, iqama and dependant fees — per expat and in total.
How the iqama renewal cost is calculated
For each expat, the employer pays the expat levy for 12 months (SAR 800 a month, or SAR 700 when expats don't outnumber Saudis at the establishment), the SAR 100 annual work permit fee and the SAR 650 iqama fee. Licensed industrial establishments pay no levy. Dependant fees are SAR 400 per dependant per month and are added separately, because the employee usually pays them.
- Iqama
- The Saudi residence permit for expats, renewed with the work permit.
- Expat levy (المقابل المالي)
- A monthly government fee for each expat worker, paid on renewal.
- Dependant fee
- A monthly fee for each family member sponsored on an expat's iqama.
- Qiwa / Muqeem / Absher
- The government platforms where employers pay fees and renew permits and iqamas.
Iqama renewal cost examples (2026)
Yearly costs for typical cases, worked out with the same rules the calculator uses.
| Case | Levy per expat / month | Dependant fees / year | Total per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 expat, no dependants | SAR 800 | — | SAR 10,350 |
| 1 expat with spouse and child | SAR 800 | SAR 9,600 | SAR 19,950 |
| 10 expats, 12 Saudis on staff | SAR 700 | — | SAR 91,500 |
| 5 expats, industrial licence | SAR 0 | — | SAR 3,750 |
12-month renewal with the SAR 650 iqama fee included. Dependant fees are usually paid by the employee.
Before you pay
- Fees are confirmed on Qiwa, Muqeem or Absher at the time you renew — check the amount there.
- Some small establishments get levy exemptions; they aren't modelled here.
- Fines for late renewal aren't included.
- Medical insurance and other renewal requirements are separate costs.
Data Sources
Planning a Saudi hire?
Compare the first-year cost of an expat and a Saudi for the same role with the expat vs national cost calculator, and check whether the role is reserved for Saudis on the Saudized jobs list. Working in Saudi Arabia yourself? The GOSI calculator shows your social insurance deductions.
Frequently asked questions
How much does iqama renewal cost in 2026?
For one expat on a 12-month renewal, the employer pays the expat levy of SAR 800 a month (SAR 9,600 a year), the SAR 100 work permit fee and the iqama fee of SAR 650 — SAR 10,350 in total. If your company has at least as many Saudis as expats, the levy is SAR 700 a month instead, so the total is SAR 9,150. Dependant fees come on top.
What is the expat levy in Saudi Arabia?
The expat levy (المقابل المالي) is a monthly fee for every expat worker, paid when the work permit and iqama are renewed. It is SAR 800 per expat per month when expats outnumber Saudis at the establishment, and SAR 700 when they don't. Licensed industrial establishments stopped paying it after a Cabinet decision in December 2025.
How much is the dependant fee per person?
SAR 400 per dependant per month — SAR 4,800 a year for each family member on the iqama. It is usually paid by the employee, unless the employer agrees to cover it. Enter the number of dependants to add it to the total.
Does the employer or the employee pay for iqama renewal?
Employers normally pay the expat levy, work permit and iqama fees for their workers, while dependant fees are normally the employee's cost. Check your employment contract for what was agreed, and confirm the amounts due on Qiwa or Muqeem.
Why is the iqama fee marked as a secondary source?
We confirm every figure against official or reputable published sources. The levy, dependant and work permit fees come from well-documented summaries and the official Saudi Press Agency, but the SAR 650 iqama fee comes from a secondary summary. Confirm it on Absher or Muqeem before you pay — you can switch it off in the calculator.
Are some companies exempt from the levy?
Licensed industrial establishments no longer pay the expat levy (Cabinet decision, December 2025). Some small establishments also get levy exemptions for a limited number of workers; those aren't modelled here, so check your status on Qiwa.
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