Renew Iqama for Three months and Quarterly

Saudi banks have started updating their government payments system for the issuance and renewal of residency permits (iqamas), which are linked to work permits, for a minimum period of three months.

Also Read: Iqama Renewal Fees for Expatriates and Family Dependents

Renew Iqama for 3 months or more in Saudi Arabia

Payments of the iqama fee can now be made on a quarterly or half-yearly basis. According to recent amendments to the government payment system, banks will accept the payment of the work permit fee for a minimum of three months or its multiples of six months, nine months, or a full year.

Quarterly Iqama renewal v/s Normal Iqama

The only difference between the normal Iqama renewal and the quarterly Iqama renewal is that you have to pay the Iqama renewal fee for 3 months only which includes;

1. Iqama renewal fee for 3 months.
2. Dependent fee for 3 months.
3. Maktab Amal fee for 3 months.

What is Quarterly Iqama renewal Status?

As of Nov 2021, the following is the latest update regarding the quarterly Iqama renewal;

• You can pay the dependent fee for 3 months.
• You cannot pay the Iqama renewal fee for 3 months.
• You cannot pay the Maktab Amal fee for 3 months.
• There is no option in Muqeem to renew Iqama for 3 months.

In other words, the project for the quarterly Iqama renewal is still in the process. 

Domestic Workers are eligible for Quarterly Iqama renewal?

The current decision of quarterly iqama renewal is not applicable to domestic workers.

Also Read: Expats can now Switch Jobs without Waiting a Year

Quarterly Residency renewal impact on Expats?

As I believe the decision for the quarterly iqama renewal in Saudi Arabia will be very good for both employers and expats for the following reasons;

1 – The quarterly renewal of Iqama is optional, not mandatory. Therefore, if you are not comfortable with it, you can continue with the current system.

3 –The employer has the option to pay for the Maktab Amal fee on a quarterly basis.

2 – The quarterly renewal of Iqama allows expats to pay for the dependent fee on a quarterly basis rather than paying off for annually.

4 – Employers renew the iqama of employee and when they resigns, they are being ask to pay off the Iqama renewal fee paid back to employers. With the option to quarterly renew Iqama, the employee can request to renew it only for three months if he is planning to resign.

Source: Ministry of Interior