If your wife, children, or domestic worker are visiting your home country when their iqama renewal comes due, the quick fix is to renew remotely via the Ministry of Interior's electronic portal. But this quick fix has an extra cost you should know about in advance.
📜 The Rule: A Doubled Fee for Remote Renewal
Under Royal Decree No. M/71 of 1444H, which added a new paragraph to Article 38 of the Residency Law, the residency permit for an expatriate worker's dependents (spouse and children) and domestic workers is renewed via the Ministry of Interior's electronic portal — but at double the fee compared to if they were inside the Kingdom.
"The residency permit for the dependents of an expatriate worker and domestic workers, if they are outside the Kingdom, shall be renewed via the Ministry of Interior's electronic portal at a fee double that collected if they were inside the Kingdom. The Ministry of Interior shall set the necessary controls for this."
👨👩👧 Who Does This Cover?
The text covers two specific categories: an expatriate worker's dependents (family members registered under his sponsorship — typically a spouse and children), and domestic workers. So if your wife, child, or domestic worker is outside Saudi Arabia at renewal time, this doubled fee applies to them if you choose to renew remotely.
Before planning a long family trip that coincides with an iqama renewal date, calculate the extra cost of remote renewal. In some cases, arranging their return before the renewal date may be cheaper than paying the doubled fee.
✅ What should you do now?
- Check the iqama expiry dates for every family member and domestic worker via Absher.
- If you have a family trip planned, compare arranging their return before renewal against paying the doubled remote fee.
- Use the Ministry of Interior's electronic portal for remote renewal if you decide to proceed, expecting the doubled fee.
- Royal Decree No. M/71 dated 1/6/1444H — adding a paragraph to Article (38) of the 1371H Residency Law