Who renews an employee's iqama in Saudi Arabia?

The employer. Labor Law Article 40(1) makes the employer bear the residence permit and work permit fees and their renewal, and HRSD lists them among the employer's costs.

How long is an iqama valid?

Enter the period printed on the resident identity. For domestic workers and those in similar positions, HRSD and the Ministry of Interior allow issuance and renewal for periods from three months and multiples thereof. The general period was not verified from a readable official source for this draft.

What if the establishment is in the red Nitaqat band?

According to HRSD's Nitaqat Mutawar procedural guide, red-band establishments cannot issue or renew work permits for their expatriate workers, and a work permit is a condition for renewing the iqama.

SA · Expiry & renewal tracking

Keep every employee's iqama valid

In Saudi Arabia the employer bears the cost of each worker's iqama and work permit and their renewal (Labor Law, Article 40); the iqama is valid for the period printed on the resident identity. A valid work permit is a condition for renewing it, and working without one can bring the penalties of Article 229.

In Saudi Arabia a non-Saudi may work only after obtaining a work permit from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (Labor Law, Article 33). HRSD states that the work permit is one of the conditions for issuing or renewing a regular residence permit (iqama), and that after the permit fee is paid the establishment completes the residence permit with the Passports directorate.

The employer bears the fees of the worker's residence permit and work permit and of their renewal, together with any delay fines the employer causes (Labor Law, Article 40(1)). A non-Saudi worker's contract must be written and of fixed term; if no term is stated it is deemed to be one year from the actual start of work, renewed for a similar period if work continues (Article 37).

HRSD's Nitaqat Mutawar procedural guide (2026) links the two documents: establishments in the green and platinum bands may renew an expatriate worker's work permit provided no more than six months remain on the worker's residence permit at renewal, while establishments in the red band may not issue or renew work permits at all. HRSD also announced that residence permits for domestic workers and those in similar positions can now be issued and renewed for periods starting from three months.

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At a glance

Issuing authority	Ministry of Interior (General Directorate of Passports); the work permit comes from HRSD through Qiwa
Validity	The period printed on the resident identity. Domestic workers: from 3 months and multiples of 3 months (HRSD news)
Linked to	A valid work permit is one of the conditions for issuing or renewing the iqama (HRSD)
Work permit renewal	When 180 days or less remain on the work permit, and no more than six months remain on the iqama at renewal (Nitaqat Mutawar guide)
Red Nitaqat band	Work permits cannot be issued or renewed; a work permit is a condition for renewing the iqama
Who pays	The employer bears residence and work permit fees and their renewal (Labor Law, Article 40)

The Residence Law and the Absher service pages could not be read when this draft was prepared, so the general iqama validity period and the renewal window on Absher or Muqeem are not stated here. Enter the expiry date printed on the resident identity.

Who is responsible?

The employer. The Labor Law (Article 40) places the residence and work permit fees and their renewal on the employer, and HRSD's awareness guide lists them among the employer's costs together with any delay penalties the employer causes. The guide adds that a worker's passport or residence permit may not be withheld under any circumstances.

If the deadline passes

HRSD's awareness guide treats work without a valid permit as a violation by both the employer and the worker, and the Labor Law lets the Ministry impose the penalties of Article 229 (a fine, closure of the establishment for up to 30 days, or permanent closure), doubled for repeat violations. Consequences under the Residence Law for an expired iqama were not verified from a readable official source. If an iqama has already expired, contact the Passports directorate through Absher Business without delay.

Iqama and work permit are two records

Track both dates. HRSD allows the work permit to be renewed when 180 days or less remain, and the Nitaqat Mutawar guide requires that no more than six months remain on the residence permit at that time. The Labor Law adds that no permit or licence required by another body replaces the work permit (Article 34).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each expatriate employee and record the expiry date printed on their resident identity; add the work permit as a separate record.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry and on the expiry day.
Assign a responsible person (for example HR or your Qiwa user) so the right person gets the reminder.
If the document passes its expiry date, managers get overdue reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Ask for the renewed document through a secure upload link, valid for 14 days; no account is needed.
Emails arrive in each recipient's language, Arabic included.

Frequently asked questions

Who renews an employee's iqama in Saudi Arabia?: The employer. Labor Law Article 40(1) makes the employer bear the residence permit and work permit fees and their renewal, and HRSD lists them among the employer's costs.
Can the iqama be renewed without a work permit?: HRSD states that the work permit is one of the conditions for issuing or renewing a regular residence permit in the Kingdom.
How long is an iqama valid?: Enter the period printed on the resident identity. For domestic workers and those in similar positions, HRSD and the Ministry of Interior allow issuance and renewal for periods from three months and multiples thereof. The general period was not verified from a readable official source for this draft.
What if the establishment is in the red Nitaqat band?: According to HRSD's Nitaqat Mutawar procedural guide, red-band establishments cannot issue or renew work permits for their expatriate workers, and a work permit is a condition for renewing the iqama.

Sources

Last checked: Oct 10, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

Made for iqama (residence permit)

A ready template for iqama (residence permit) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.

Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each iqama (residence permit) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each iqama (residence permit) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.