How to renew Iqama for 3 months in KSA?

Saudi Cabinet has approved the Iqama issuance, work permit issuance, work permit renewal, and Iqama renewal for 3, 6, and 9 months i.e. every quarter.

It means that the employer has the option to renew the Iqama either every quarter or on an annual basis as per the currently implemented system.

• Note: Quarterly payments are not available to domestic workers.

Pay Iqama Renewal Fee for 3 months

Iqama Renewal Fee

To renew Iqama for 3 months, you need to pay the Iqama renewal fee for the same period.

• Iqama Renewal Fee for 3 months: SR 163.
• Iqama Renewal Fee for 6 months: SR 325.
• Iqama Renewal Fee for 9 months: SR 488.
• Iqama Renewal Fee for 1 year: SR 650.
• Pay Iqama Renewal Fee.

Dependent Fee

To renew Iqama for 3 months, you need to pay the dependent fee for the same period.

• Dependent Fee for 3 months: SR 1,200/dependent.
• Dependent Fee for 6 months: SR 2,400/dependent.
• Dependent Fee for 9 months: SR 3,600/dependent.
• Dependent Fee for 1 year: SR 4,800/dependent.
• Pay Dependent fee for 3 months.

Maktab Amal Fee

Similarly, the employer is required to pay the Maktab Amal fee for at least 3 months for the Iqama renewal.

• Maktab Amal fee for 3 months: SR 2,400.
• Maktab Amal fee for 6 months: SR 4,800.
• Maktab Amal fee for 9 months: SR 7,200.
• Maktab Amal fee for 1 year: SR 9,600.
• Pay Maktab Amal fee for 3 months.

Process for Iqama renewal for 3 months

The process for Iqama renewal for 3 months is quite similar to the regular iqama renewal;

• Meet all the requirements to renew Iqama. 
• Talk to the GRO of your company about your intention to renew the Iqama for only 3, 6, or 9 months. 
• Employer will log in to Muqeem https://muqeem.sa/#/login
• Click on “المعاملات الإلكترونية“.
• Select “تجديد الإقامة“.
• Enter the security code sent on mobile.

On the next page;

• Enter the Iqama Number.
• Select the duration of Iqama renewal i.e. 3 months.
• Click on the “Submit” button.
• That’s it, your Iqama has been renewed for 3 months.

Rules related to 3 months Iqama renewal

• Your Iqama is linked with your family Iqama, you cannot renew your Iqama for 12 months, and your family iqama is continued for 3 months. 
• The current decision of quarterly iqama renewal does not apply to domestic workers. 

Is it good or bad for expats?

I believe that the decision for the quarterly iqama renewal in Saudi Arabia is perfect for both employers and expats for the following reasons;

1. The quarterly renewal of Iqama is optional, not mandatory. Therefore, you can continue with the current system if you are uncomfortable with it.
2. Sometimes employers renew the Iqama of employees and when the employee resigns, they ask to pay off the Iqama renewal fee paid by employees. With the option to renew Iqama quarterly, the employee can request to renew it only for 3 months if he plans to resign.

Source: Ministry of Interior.