The renewal process for Iqama is an important part of the residence system in Saudi Arabia. It is the only way that residents can obtain a valid residence permit (Iqama) every year, as well as stay up to date on all new rules and services in the country.
It is important to understand the renewal process and fees associated with it. It should be noted that the fees depend on various factors such as type of Iqama, profession, sector, etc., which will influence how much you have to pay for it each year.
The purpose of this guide is to provide a comprehensive overview of the Iqama renewal fee procedure and new rules so that applicants can get a better understanding of what is required before submitting their application.
We will cover:
1) Who needs to renew his/her Iqama?
2) What are the recent fees and charges?
3) What documents are needed in order to renew your Iqama?
4) What are some of the key new rules specified by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MLSD)?
5) How long does it take to complete an Iqama renewal application?
6) What services are available online for those applying for an Iqama renewal?
Iqama Renewal Fees
For those living and working in Saudi Arabia, it is imperative to have an Iqama, or residence permit. To keep this permit active, it needs to be renewed annually. This guide will provide an overview of the fees and procedures associated with renewing an Iqama in Saudi Arabia, as well as the new rules related to it.
Renewal Fees for Expatriates
When renewing an Iqama for expatriates in Saudi Arabia, fees need to be paid for the duration of stay and residence permit renewal; these fees are collected by issued fines and fees. To determine the exact renewal fee required, various factors must be considered as outlined below:
1. Type of visa – An individual’s visa type dictates the renewal fee (e.g., investor, employee, student, etc.).
2. Length of stay – Renewal fees vary depending on the length of time an individual is staying in Saudi Arabia (e.g., 6 months, 1 year, or more).
3. Number of dependents – Individuals with a spouse or dependent children need to pay additional fees on top of their own renewal fees.
4. Occupation – Renewal fees are based on an individual’s occupation and professional status (e.g., tradesman or academic).
5. Fines – In some instances, individuals may need to pay fines for not completing residence permit renewals prior to their expiration date or for repeated violations against residency laws and regulations throughout their length of stay in Saudi Arabia.
For the most up-to-date information about Iqama renewal fees applicable to expatriates in Saudi Arabia, please visit your local Jawazat office or consult with your Visa sponsor if applicable for full details about current fines and associated fees that may apply in your situation before submitting any payments; these rules frequently change so it is important to gather all relevant information first before proceeding with payment processing and/or Iqama card issuance/renewal procedures.
Renewal Fees for Self-Sponsored Expatriates
Self-sponsored expatriates must pay a renewal fee to maintain their Iqama. This renewal fee is determined by the length of residence in Saudi Arabia and varies for each country.
– For those living in Saudi Arabia for 10 years or more, the 2018 Iqama renewal fees are as follows:
– For citizens from other GCC countries: SR 500
– For citizens from non-GCC countries: SR 700
– When renewing a resident permit, employers need to show proof of payment from their employee’s Iqama funds bank account (or through cash payment at the respective Immigration Authority Office). Also, employers must ensure that:
– Any salary deductions made on behalf of the expatriate should be acknowledged and signed by both employer and employee. This serves as proof of relative deductions;
– Renewal fees are updated on the Ministry of Interior’s portal; otherwise, they will be rejected; and
– A foreigner must return home upon expiration of his or her residency term unless they apply for an extension with their current employer. Payment must be made before applying for an extension.
Renewal Fees for Dependents
Dependents of the Iqama holder, such as Wife and Children, require an additional fee to be paid at the time of renewal. The exact fee for a dependent will depend upon the type of visa (Tourist or Residency).
Tourist Visas: Holders of Saudi Tourist Visas are required to pay SAR 1,000 for each dependent at the time of renewal. This is a fixed fee that does not change every year.
Residency Visas: Holders of Saudi Residency Visas are required to pay SAR 100 per dependent per year at the time in which their Iqama is renewed. This rate applies to all dependents, including working sons and daughters. All fees should be paid along with any fees associated with visa changes or addition/declarations during the course of renewal.
New Rules for Iqama Renewal
As of October 2020, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has implemented new rules and regulations for Iqama renewal. These changes are meant to improve the flow of expatriates into the country and make the process as easy and straightforward as possible.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at the new rules and what they mean for those who are looking to renew their Iqama.
New Rules for Expatriates
As part of the Saudi government’s Vision 2030 and its Vision Realization Program, new rules pertaining to expatriates and their Iqama renewal fees have been put into effect. This guide provides an overview of all the new rules, including updated fees and requirements for obtaining and renewing your Iqama.
Expatriates must understand these regulations in order to avoid potential legal problems. In addition, those who wish to obtain an Iqama should be aware of the conditions related to their visa type (e.g., tourists, workers, etc.), their duration of stay in the kingdom, and any restrictions that may apply to them. Failing to follow these laws can lead to severe penalties.
New Rules:
• All expatriates holding an Iqama must now pay a fee of SAR 690 each year or SAR 233 (valid for three months).
• All employers sponsoring expatriate workers are also required to pay an annual fee depending on their size as well as an increased service fee ranging from SAR 200-SAR 2200.
• Companies wishing to sponsor foreign workers must demonstrate good financial standing with a minimum balance of 500,000 SAR in a Saudi bank account prior to requesting the visa application form.
• The Immigration Department has introduced guidelines for calculating residence fees for those individuals who are conducting business activities in Saudi Arabia without any valid residency permit or sponsorships from companies within the kingdom – e.g., investors and entrepreneurs living abroad with Yemeni citizenship can now obtain five-year visas at a cost of SAR 1 million each year before they enter Saudi Arabia, after which they need just have Iqama renewal yearly by paying respective renewal fee every year, thereafter along with three months valid medical insurance policies annually covering pre-existing medical conditions too that is vital requirement henceforth, additionally then only you will be able extend your work permit in Saudi Arabia, or next time during entering inflow if you have old US Visa Stamp, then simply Biometrics update is sufficient at KSA POE it stated on website few weeks back nothing mentioned recently so kindly keep confirm regarding same before attempting flight towards Saudi Arabia.
New Rules for Self-Sponsored Expatriates
The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of Saudi Arabia (MHRSD) recently issued new rules for self-sponsored expatriates regarding Iqama renewal fees. These changes will take effect from 1 January 2019 and the new regulations must be followed strictly.
This guide is intended to help self-sponsored expatriates understand the various procedures and fees associated with Iqama renewal in Saudi Arabia.
Under the new rules, all foreign nationals employed by companies in Saudi Arabia should pay their own annual renewal fee. The exact amount that is required to be paid depends on the age of the individual which is measured in multiples of Hijri years.
For individuals below 16 Hijri years, an annual fee of SR 1,000 should be paid per year for every five years of their stay in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, for those aged between 16 and 20 Hijri years, an additional fee of SR 300 per year should be paid for every five additional years spent in Saudi Arabia (up to a maximum limit of SR 6,000).
Furthermore, expatriates who are still employees at the same company must keep paying their minimum annual salary as demanded by law. Additionally, those who have been consecutively working at a company or branch for a period exceeding 10 years will also have to pay a one-time border exit reentry visa fee calculated at 0% base rate plus 10% VAT (of SAR 1120).
Lastly, all foreign nationals based in Saudi Arabia must renew their residence permit after every two/three consecutive calendar months. Failure to do so could result in fines or other sanctions as deemed necessary by MHRSD authorities under applicable law.
New Rules for Dependents
The Ministry of Interior (MOI) of Saudi Arabia has recently updated the existing rules related to Iqama renewal fees. In line with this, all expatriate dependents living in Saudi Arabia will now have to pay the Iqama renewal fees depending on their age and sponsorship type.
Under the new regulations, all non-working minors who are sponsored by any Saudi citizen or ex-pat must pay an Iqama renewal fee of SR 600 per year. This fee is applicable to both male and female dependents and can be paid via direct transfer from a bank account or through cash payment at the General Directorate for Passports offices in Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, for dependents between 8 – 18 years old a health insurance fee of SAR 500 must be paid each year when renewing their Iqama ID cards.
For those aged between 18 – 65 years old, an annual fee of SR 500 must be paid for renewing the dependent’s Iqama ID card. This includes all non-working family members including mothers, sisters, brothers, and any other relatives who are sponsored by a working member in Saudi families.
Furthermore, they have to pay an additional health insurance fee amounting to SAR 800 per year.
It is mandatory for your visa sponsor (employer/Saudi citizen) to pay these fees before you can renew your Iqama ID card successfully in order to remain legally resident with them in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
There may also be other applicable taxes and fines passed on by employers as penalty charges due to delays in payments related to visa documents associated with expatriates in Saudi Arabia.
Conclusion
It is important to note that Iqama renewal fees can vary depending on the profession or job of the expatriate renewing the Iqama. Employers or sponsors may be responsible for paying the cost of Iqama renewal fees if their worker’s Iqama has expired, but in some cases, the worker may need to bear these costs instead.
Ultimately, it is important to stay informed of any changes to laws and regulations related to Iqama renewal fees, as failure to comply can result in a variety of penalties, including fines and delays in processing applications or renewals.
As a result, individuals seeking more information about procedures for renewing an Iqama should take the time necessary to become acquainted with all applicable rules and ensure their paperwork is properly completed before submitting it for processing.