How to Check and Renew Your Iqama: Expiry Dates, the Employer’s Role and Family Renewals

Your Iqama (resident ID) underpins almost everything in daily life here, from banking to travel. Renewal is mostly handled online, but it involves two platforms and two parties: your employer and the Ministry of Interior’s systems. Here’s how to check where you stand and what happens at renewal time.

New to Madinah? See this first-month guide to the National Address.

How to check your Iqama status and expiry

Start by knowing your date. A few minutes now can save a rushed renewal later.

In your Absher account. HRSD’s Guide to Services Provided for Expatriates describes Absher’s free data dashboard, which shows your registered data and that of family members under you. It’s the simplest place to see Iqama and passport expiry dates together.

Absher’s public inquiry. Absher’s service guide also lists a public query for resident ID expiry, useful if you can’t log in at the moment.

Ask HR. Your employer sees your Iqama and work permit status on its business platforms, so HR can confirm the date and any pending steps.

How renewal works for employees

If you work in the private sector, renewal is mainly your employer’s job. It happens in two linked stages.

Stage one: the work permit on Qiwa. HRSD’s Issue and Renew Work Permit service is described as one of the conditions for issuing or renewing residency. The establishment selects the employee, chooses a permit period and pays through SADAD.

Stage two: the Iqama. After payment, HRSD’s FAQ says the work permit fee status updates in the passport systems (Absher Business or Muqeem) within 24 hours. The employer then completes the Iqama renewal.

Who pays for what

The Labour Law is clear on the main costs. Article 40, as published by HRSD, says the employer bears the fees for issuing and renewing the Iqama and work permit, and the fines resulting from their delay. It also covers change of profession and exit and re-entry visa fees.

The same article says an employer who receives a transferring worker bears the transfer fees. If you’re asked to pay these costs yourself, read Article 40 and raise it politely with HR first.

	Your own Iqama (as a worker)	Family member’s Iqama
Who renews	Your employer	You, as the sponsor
Platform	Qiwa (work permit), then the employer’s passport platform	Absher Individuals
First step	Work permit renewal	Clear fees, fines and traffic violations
Fees borne by	Employer (Labour Law Article 40)	Sponsor; Absher shows the current amount

Renewing Iqamas for family members

If you sponsor your spouse, children or a registered domestic worker, you renew their Iqamas yourself. HRSD’s expatriate services guide describes the Residency Renewal service in Absher Individuals: sign in, open the services for sponsored persons, select the person and choose the renewal period.

The guide lists conditions you should prepare for:

• Renewal fees and any late fines paid
• Any traffic violations registered on the person paid
• A valid passport at the time of renewal
• The person present in the Kingdom
• Fingerprint and photo on record where required

We don’t quote fees because they can change; Absher shows the current amount before you pay. For a wider tour of the platform, see our guide to Absher services for residents.

If something goes wrong

If your Iqama is close to expiry and nothing is moving, talk to HR first: most delays come from a pending request or a detail on Qiwa. Check that your contract and occupation are correct there; our Qiwa for employees guide explains where to look.

Last checked: 6 October 2026 (Asia/Riyadh). Infosaudia is an independent guide, not a government website. Confirm current rules on Absher, Qiwa and the HRSD website.