For expatriates living in Saudi Arabia, staying informed about the fees and procedures for Iqama issuance and renewal is crucial. Although your employer primarily handles this, being knowledgeable about the process ensures your stay remains uninterrupted and legally compliant.

Iqama Issuance and Renewal Fees

The annual renewal fee for an Iqama (residence permit) is SAR 650. Fortunately, you can pay this fee in quarterly installments, offering flexibility for your budget. The breakdown is as follows:

- 3 Months: SAR 163

- 6 Months: SAR 325

- 9 Months: SAR 488

- 12 Months: SAR 650

Work Permit Fee (Maktab Amal Fees) or Levy

The work permit fee, which is linked to your Iqama, is paid by your employer. The fee varies based on the percentage of Saudi citizens employed by your company.

1. For Companies with Less than 50% Saudi Citizen Employees

  - Monthly work permit fee for expatriates is SAR 800, payable at least every three months.

  - 3 Months: SAR 2,400

  - 6 Months: SAR 4,800

  - 9 Months: SAR 7,200

  - 12 Months: SAR 9,600

2. For Companies with More than 50% Saudi Citizen Employees

  - 3 Months: SAR 2,100

  - 6 Months: SAR 4,200

  - 9 Months: SAR 6,300

  - 12 Months: SAR 8,400

Expat Dependent Fees

If you are sponsoring family members, a dependent fee applies. The cost per dependent is SAR 400 per month. The breakdown is as follows:

- 3 Months: SAR 1,200

- 6 Months: SAR 2,400

- 9 Months: SAR 3,600

- 12 Months: SAR 4,800

Health Insurance Fees

Valid health insurance is a requirement for issuing and renewing an Iqama, covering both you and your family members during your stay. While employers often provide health insurance, you might need to personally cover your family members depending on your employment agreement. Costs vary based on coverage, with individual policies typically costing under SAR 1,000.

By understanding these fees and procedures, you can ensure a smooth and compliant stay in Saudi Arabia.

Master Iqama Issuance and Renewal in Saudi Arabia

From Iqama renewal fees to work permit levies to dependent costs, understanding Saudi Arabia's residence permit requirements is essential for expat employment. Remoly handles all KSA visa and permit processes.

Need Help Navigating Global Employment? Remoly provides EOR and global payroll services covering 100+ countries. Our global employment experts offer real-time compliance support and localized solutions. Contact Us for a Free Consultation Remoly — Your Global EOR & Employer of Record Partner Serving 100+ Countries & Regions Worldwide * This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific compliance guidance, consult a qualified professional. Related Articles Compliance How to Get a Work Visa for Spain – Full Guide Read More Compliance Norway Retirement Age Update 2026 Read More Compliance Vietnam Healthcare Market Insights for Foreign Businesses Read More Easy to start, intuitive to use "I love Remoly, our very own collaboration tool that makes interacting with my team members so easy, effective, and fun. It's intuitive and can do so many things all from one place.❤️“ Employer Branding Manager Internet, 10,000+ Employees "Makes Google Workspace look anachronistic." Google play Review “It's become a real go-to staple.” Google play Review "Holy Smoke, Lark has an insane feature line-up offerings from the get-go." Google play Review "I would suggest people try this app, which gives you a feel way beyond other apps in place." Google play Review "Once my teammate suggested using Discord instead of Flock or Slack. But we realized Lark is much better among all." Google play Review Easy to start, intuitive to use "I love Lark, our very own collaboration tool that makes interacting with my team members so easy, effective, and fun. It's intuitive and can do so many things all from one place.❤️" Employer Branding Manager Internet, 10,000+ Employees "Makes Google Workspace look anachronistic." Google play Review “It's become a real go-to staple.” Google play Review "Holy Smoke, Lark has an insane feature line-up offerings from the get-go." Google play Review "I would suggest people try this app, which gives you a feel way beyond other apps in place." Google play Review "Once my teammate suggested using Discord instead of Flock or Slack. But we realized Lark is much better among all." Google play Review Remoly, bringing it all together All you need is the Internet and Remoly. Request Demo Product Employer of RecordContractor PaymentGlobal PayrollGlobal MobilityBackground Check Resources BlogKnowledge BaseSalary CalculatorGlobal Holiday CalendarHelp Center Security Private PolicyTerms of Service Company About UsPartnershipContact Us © 2026 Remoly. All rights reserved. English Remoly is not a licensed financial institution or bank and does not directly handle or process payments. All payment transactions are securely managed by our regulated partner, Airwallex. Funds Protection In the UK: Provided by Airwallex (UK) Limited, an authorised Electronic Money Institution regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under FRN: 900876. Customer funds are safeguarded in accordance with FCA rules, kept separate from Airwallex's own funds. In the EU: Provided by Airwallex (Netherlands) B.V., an authorised Electronic Money Institution regulated by De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) under licence number R179622. Customer funds are safeguarded in accordance with Dutch regulatory requirements, kept separate from Airwallex's own funds. Learn more about how funds are safeguarded → click here   As Merchant of Record, Remoly acts as a compliant intermediary: We issue VAT-compliant invoices on your behalf and enable seamless, regulation-friendly payouts to freelancers worldwide — without requiring them to register a local business entity.