{"id":9489,"date":"2026-10-25T03:15:17","date_gmt":"2026-10-25T00:15:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/iqama-renewal-fine-saudi-arabia\/"},"modified":"2026-10-25T03:17:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-25T00:17:19","slug":"iqama-renewal-fine-saudi-arabia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/iqama-renewal-fine-saudi-arabia\/","title":{"rendered":"Iqama Renewal and the Late Renewal Fine in Saudi Arabia: Who Pays and Workers&#8217; Rights"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.usus-tbl{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:760px;margin:12px 0 20px;font-size:15px}.usus-tbl th{background:#f4eff9;color:#2A124A;font-weight:700;text-align:right;padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:2px solid #C9A227}.usus-tbl td{padding:9px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e5ddec;vertical-align:top}<\/style>\n<div dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<p>A late <strong>iqama renewal<\/strong> 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 <strong>late renewal fine<\/strong> as announced by the General Directorate of Passports, and what a worker can do if the employer will not renew.<\/p>\n<h2>Iqama late renewal fine<\/h2>\n<p>According to the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat), the fine for late renewal starts three days after the iqama expires:<\/p>\n<table class=\"usus-tbl\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Occasion<\/th>\n<th>Penalty<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>First delay<\/td>\n<td>SAR 500 fine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Second delay<\/td>\n<td>SAR 1,000 fine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Third delay<\/td>\n<td>Deportation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<figure class=\"usus-ig usus-ig-9489-1\"><img class=\"wp-image-9500\" src=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-9489-1.webp\" width=\"1200\" height=\"776\" alt=\"Iqama late renewal fine \u2014 Iqama Renewal and the Late Renewal Fine in Saudi Arabia (Usus Law Firm infographic)\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-9489-1.webp 1200w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-9489-1-768x497.webp 768w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-9489-1-640x414.webp 640w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-9489-1-400x259.webp 400w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-9489-1-367x237.webp 367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>These penalties were announced some years ago and may be updated; check the current position on Absher or Muqeem before acting.<\/p>\n<h2>When can an iqama be renewed?<\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h2>Who pays the fees and the late fine?<\/h2>\n<p>Renewing the iqama and work permit is in principle the employer&#8217;s obligation, so the employer should not charge the worker for it where the law places it on the employer. If the employer&#8217;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 <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/article-81-saudi-labor-law\/\">Article 81<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/kafala-system-saudi-arabia\/\">the kafala system<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>If your employer will not renew your iqama<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Ask for renewal in writing and keep the message.<\/li>\n<li>Check whether an absconding report has been filed. See <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/absconding-report-saudi-arabia\/\">absconding report and the 60-day period<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Consider transferring your services to another employer.<\/li>\n<li>If the job has ended, secure your dues before you leave. See <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/final-exit-saudi-arabia\/\">final exit: rights before you leave<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>File a labour complaint, which starts with amicable settlement. See <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/labor-case-saudi-arabia-labor-court\/\">filing a labour case<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<figure class=\"usus-ig usus-ig-9489-2\"><img class=\"wp-image-9501\" src=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-9489-2.webp\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1065\" alt=\"If your employer will not renew your iqama \u2014 Iqama Renewal and the Late Renewal Fine in Saudi Arabia (Usus Law Firm infographic)\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-9489-2.webp 1080w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-9489-2-768x757.webp 768w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-9489-2-640x631.webp 640w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-9489-2-400x394.webp 400w, https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-9489-2-367x362.webp 367w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/figure>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>How much is the iqama late renewal fine?<\/h3>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h3>Can my employer deduct iqama renewal fees from my salary?<\/h3>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Usus Law Firm handles expatriate worker cases, including service transfers, absconding reports, dues and final exit, in English and Arabic. See our <a href=\"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/labor-lawyer-riyadh\/\">employment lawyer in Riyadh<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#6a6178;border-top:1px solid #e6ddd0;padding-top:10px;margin-top:16px\"><em>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.<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"usus-qbox\">\n<h2>Request a quick consultation<\/h2>\n<p>Leave your name and mobile number, and a lawyer from our Riyadh or Tabuk office will call you during working hours. We advise in English.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wpcf7 no-js\" id=\"wpcf7-f6963-o1\" lang=\"en-US\" dir=\"ltr\" data-wpcf7-id=\"6963\">\n<div class=\"screen-reader-response\"><p role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-atomic=\"true\"><\/p> <ul><\/ul><\/div>\n<form action=\"\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9489#wpcf7-f6963-o1\" method=\"post\" class=\"wpcf7-form init\" aria-label=\"Contact form\" novalidate=\"novalidate\" data-status=\"init\">\n<fieldset class=\"hidden-fields-container\"><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7\" value=\"6963\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_version\" value=\"6.2.2\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_locale\" value=\"en_US\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_unit_tag\" value=\"wpcf7-f6963-o1\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_container_post\" value=\"0\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wpcf7_posted_data_hash\" value=\"\" \/>\n<\/fieldset>\n<span id=\"wpcf7-6ae0e991226b4-wrapper\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap cf7apps-honeypot-wrap honeypot-qf-wrap\" style=\"position:absolute;width:1px;height:1px;padding:0;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);white-space:nowrap;border:0;\"><label for=\"wpcf7-6ae0e991226b4-field\" class=\"hp-message\">Please leave this field empty.<\/label><input id=\"wpcf7-6ae0e991226b4-field\"  class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text\" type=\"text\" name=\"honeypot-qf\" value=\"\" autocomplete=\"new-password\" tabindex=\"1000\" data-cf7apps-tabindex=\"1000\" \/><\/span>\n<div class=\"usus-qf\">\n<div class=\"f\"><label for=\"q-name\">Name<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-name\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-required\" id=\"q-name\" autocomplete=\"name\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"Your name\" value=\"\" type=\"text\" name=\"q-name\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"f\"><label for=\"q-phone\">Mobile<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-phone\"><input size=\"40\" maxlength=\"400\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-tel wpcf7-validates-as-required wpcf7-text wpcf7-validates-as-tel\" id=\"q-phone\" autocomplete=\"tel\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"05xxxxxxxx\" value=\"\" type=\"tel\" name=\"q-phone\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"f\"><label for=\"q-city\">City<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-city\"><select class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-select wpcf7-validates-as-required\" id=\"q-city\" aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\" name=\"q-city\"><option value=\"Riyadh\">Riyadh<\/option><option value=\"Tabuk\">Tabuk<\/option><option value=\"Other city\">Other city<\/option><\/select><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"f w\"><label for=\"q-msg\">Your case in brief (optional)<\/label><span class=\"wpcf7-form-control-wrap\" data-name=\"q-msg\"><textarea cols=\"40\" rows=\"2\" maxlength=\"600\" class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-textarea\" id=\"q-msg\" aria-invalid=\"false\" placeholder=\"One or two lines are enough\" name=\"q-msg\"><\/textarea><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"s\"><input class=\"wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-submit has-spinner\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Request a call from a lawyer\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"wpcf7-response-output\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/form>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9493,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[85],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9489","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-labor-law"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":{"landsacpe":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-cover-9489-1140x445.jpg?wsr",1140,445,true],"list":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-cover-9489-463x348.jpg?wsr",463,348,true],"medium":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-cover-9489-300x169.jpg?wsr",300,169,true],"full":["https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/usus-cover-9489.jpg?wsr",1200,675,false]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9489","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9489"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9489\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9503,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9489\/revisions\/9503"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9493"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9489"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9489"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ususlawfirm.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9489"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}