A late iqama renewal is one of the most common violations workers and employers fall into without meaning to, and the consequences escalate from a fine to deportation on repeat. Here is when an iqama can be renewed, what is needed, the late renewal fine as announced by the General Directorate of Passports, and what a worker can do if the employer will not renew.
Reviewed by: Khaled ElnaggarDirector of USUS Law FirmLast updated:
Iqama late renewal fine
According to the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat), the fine for late renewal starts three days after the iqama expires:
| Occasion | Penalty |
|---|---|
| First delay | SAR 500 fine |
| Second delay | SAR 1,000 fine |
| Third delay | Deportation |
These penalties were announced some years ago and may be updated; check the current position on Absher or Muqeem before acting.
When can an iqama be renewed?
Jawazat has said that the iqama of commercial workers can be renewed up to six months before expiry, provided the work permit and health insurance are valid, and that of domestic workers when less than fourteen months remain. Renewal is done electronically, and in principle the employer pays.
Who pays the fees and the late fine?
Renewing the iqama and work permit is in principle the employer's obligation, so the employer should not charge the worker for it where the law places it on the employer. If the employer's delay causes a fine, it should in principle bear it. Failing to renew the iqama or work permit is also one of the breaches that may allow a worker to leave and keep their rights. See Article 81 and the kafala system.
If your employer will not renew your iqama
- Ask for renewal in writing and keep the message.
- Check whether an absconding report has been filed. See absconding report and the 60-day period.
- Consider transferring your services to another employer.
- If the job has ended, secure your dues before you leave. See final exit: rights before you leave.
- File a labour complaint, which starts with amicable settlement. See filing a labour case.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the iqama late renewal fine?
As announced by Jawazat: SAR 500 the first time, SAR 1,000 the second, and deportation on a third, starting three days after expiry. Check the current amount on Absher.
Can my employer deduct iqama renewal fees from my salary?
In principle the iqama and work permit fees are on the employer. If they were deducted without right, you can claim them back in a labour complaint.
Usus Law Firm handles expatriate worker cases, including service transfers, absconding reports, dues and final exit, in English and Arabic. See our employment lawyer in Riyadh.
Legal review: the Usus Law Firm team
A select team of lawyers and legal advisers licensed by the Saudi Ministry of Justice, working from Riyadh and Tabuk, with experience before the general, commercial, labor, criminal, personal status and administrative courts. Every article is reviewed before publication and updated when laws or regulations change.
Last reviewed: 25 October 2026
This article is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific case. Court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are in Arabic; the official Arabic text of each law prevails.
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