Iqama Services

Iqama Fees in Saudi Arabia 2026 — What Employers Pay

"Iqama fee" is often used loosely for everything an employer pays to keep a foreign worker in Saudi Arabia. In practice the charges are separate: the residence permit (Iqama) paid through Muqeem/Absher, the work permit fee and the expat levy paid to the Ministry of Human Resources, plus insurance and dependant costs. This page separates each component so the Iqama fee is not confused with the total annual cost of an expatriate employee.

What is iqama fees 2026 in Saudi Arabia? The Iqama residence permit itself is SAR 650 per year. It is not the full annual cost of an expatriate employee. Employers also pay the work permit fee of SAR 100 per year and an expat levy of up to SAR 800 per month (up to SAR 9,600 per year). Together these give an indicative combined total of approximately SAR 10,350 per year, before medical insurance and dependants.

Iqama Fees 2026 — operational guide

The Iqama residence permit itself is SAR 650 per year. It is not the full annual cost of an expatriate employee. Employers also pay the work permit fee of SAR 100 per year and an expat levy of up to SAR 800 per month (up to SAR 9,600 per year). Together these give an indicative combined total of approximately SAR 10,350 per year, before medical insurance and dependants.

"Iqama fee" is often used loosely for everything an employer pays to keep a foreign worker in Saudi Arabia. In practice the charges are separate: the residence permit (Iqama) paid through Muqeem/Absher, the work permit fee and the expat levy paid to the Ministry of Human Resources, plus insurance and dependant costs. This page separates each component so the Iqama fee is not confused with the total annual cost of an expatriate employee.

Tamra runs iqama fees 2026 as a managed service for foreign employers — including the GOSI, Saudization, Absher and Muqeem touch-points that block most non-specialist providers.

Key facts

ServiceIqama Fees 2026
CostIqama residence permit SAR 650/year (statutory). Work permit fee SAR 100/year (statutory). Expat levy up to SAR 800/month, up to SAR 9,600/year (statutory; amount depends on workforce composition and category). Indicative combined total approx. SAR 10,350/year — an illustration, not a single government fee. Medical insurance and dependant costs are additional.
TimelineIqama and work permit are renewed annually; the levy is calculated per expatriate employee and settled with the work permit.
Primary portalMuqeem / Absher / Qiwa
Sponsoring authorityMOI + MHRSD

Process — step by step

Iqama and work permit are renewed annually; the levy is calculated per expatriate employee and settled with the work permit.

  1. Iqama residence permit — SAR 650/year. The fee for the residence permit itself, paid by the employer through Muqeem/Absher at issuance and each annual renewal.
  2. Work permit fee — SAR 100/year. A separate annual fee for the work permit, paid by the employer to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD).
  3. Expat levy — up to SAR 800/month. Up to SAR 9,600 per year per expatriate employee, paid with the work permit. The amount depends on the employer's workforce composition and category.
  4. Medical insurance — third-party cost. Mandatory health insurance from a CCHI-approved insurer is required before Iqama renewal. Premiums vary by insurer, plan and age and are not a government fee.
  5. Dependants and other costs. Dependant fees, exit/re-entry visas and replacement charges apply separately and depend on the individual case. Confirm current amounts before budgeting.

Documents required

  • Valid commercial registration with active Qiwa and Muqeem accounts
  • Active GOSI registration
  • Approved CCHI health insurance policy per worker and dependant
  • Passport with at least 6 months' validity

Common mistakes

  • Calling SAR 10,000+ the "Iqama fee" — the Iqama itself is SAR 650; the rest is work permit, levy and other costs
  • Budgeting only the Iqama and work permit and forgetting the expat levy
  • Leaving medical insurance until renewal — renewal is blocked without valid cover
  • Treating the indicative combined total as an official government figure

Frequently asked questions

Is the Iqama fee the same as the annual cost of an expatriate employee?

No. The Iqama residence permit is SAR 650 per year. The total annual cost also includes the work permit fee (SAR 100), the expat levy (up to SAR 9,600 per year), medical insurance, GOSI, end-of-service accrual and salary.

Who pays the expat levy?

The employer pays it with the work permit. Up to SAR 800 per month per expatriate employee applies; the amount depends on the employer's workforce composition and category.

What is the indicative combined total?

SAR 650 (Iqama) + SAR 100 (work permit) + up to SAR 9,600 (expat levy) gives approximately SAR 10,350 per year. It is an illustration of the main statutory components, not a single government fee, and excludes insurance and dependants.

Does Tamra handle this end-to-end?

Yes. Tamra manages this as part of the standard Iqama administration package — including all government portal interactions, fee payments and compliance reporting.

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