Saudi Arabia allows quarterly renewal of residency permits for expats
Expatriates in Saudi Arabia can now renew their residency permit (iqama) on a quarter-of-a-year basis and save a digital copy of the iqama on their smartphones. These services are available on Absher Afrad (Individual) platform.
The Absher Afrad services also included the expatriate’s consent service to allow transfer of his services to a new employer and the registration of dependents and companions of expatriates on the Absher platform on the basis of their border entry number or the iqama number of expatriates. This registration service will also be available for visitors and citizens of other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.
Expatriates can have Resident ID electronic card service so as to enable them to keep digital iqama on their smartphones. Employers shall make payment of the expatriate fee for the renewal of the work permit, which is SR800 per month or SR9,600 in a year. Expatriates who have dependents shall have to pay SR400 per month for each dependent.
The new Absher Afrad services also included renewal of the national ID service, issuance of electronic ID in place of the lost one, passport services for foster families, and Absher reports service.
