Iqama Late Renewal Fine Saudi Arabia — Complete Guide 2026

How the Iqama Late Fine Works

When an iqama expires without being renewed, the Saudi government automatically begins accumulating a fine of SAR 100 per day from the expiry date. This fine is tracked in the system and must be paid in full before the iqama can be renewed.

The fine accumulates every calendar day — including weekends and public holidays. There is no grace period. The clock starts on the day after the iqama expiry date.

Who Is Legally Responsible for the Fine?

The iqama late renewal fine is the legal responsibility of the employer (sponsor) — not the employee. This is clearly established in Saudi Labour Law and the Kafala system regulations.

The logic is straightforward: the employer is responsible for renewing the iqama. If they fail to renew on time, the resulting fine is their fault and their obligation.

How Fines Are Paid

The iqama fine must be paid before the renewal process can be completed. The payment process:

• The employer's HR or PRO department checks the outstanding fine amount through the Absher Business or Jawazat system
• The fine is paid online through the government payment portal (SADAD or similar) by the employer
• Once the fine is paid and confirmed, the renewal application can proceed normally
• The employee does not need to be involved in the fine payment process — it is entirely an employer-side administration task

Can Iqama Fines Be Waived or Reduced?

In certain circumstances, fines can be waived or reduced through an official appeal to the Jawazat (Passport Authority). This is not guaranteed but is worth pursuing in legitimate cases:

• Medical emergency — if the employee was hospitalized and unable to process renewal, medical documentation supporting this can lead to fine reduction
• System errors — if the fine was caused by a technical error in the government system rather than genuine non-renewal
• Employee was outside Saudi Arabia — in some cases where the iqama expired during an extended approved absence, partial waiver may be considered
• First-time violation — employers with good compliance history sometimes receive more favorable treatment on appeal

Waiver applications are submitted by the employer through the Jawazat. The decision is at the discretion of the authority. There is no entitlement to a waiver — it is a discretionary consideration.

Practical Impact of an Expired Iqama

Beyond the financial fine, an expired iqama creates real practical problems for the employee:

• Cannot be used as valid ID at government offices, banks or official transactions
• Cannot travel internationally — the expired iqama combined with no valid exit visa creates a travel block
• Risk of detention if stopped by authorities — though in practice police checkpoints usually accept an explanation that renewal is in progress
• Cannot open new bank accounts or access some financial services
• Some private healthcare providers may refuse to accept expired iqama for insurance processing

What If Your Employer Refuses to Pay the Fine?

If the employer refuses to pay the fine — or refuses to renew the iqama at all — you have these options:

• File HRSD complaint — Report the employer's failure to renew and pay the fine. HRSD can compel the employer to act.
• Contact Jawazat directly — In extreme cases where the employer is completely unresponsive, the Passport Authority can be approached directly for guidance on your options.
• Consider sponsorship transfer — If the employer is unable or unwilling to manage your iqama properly, transferring to a new employer who will handle renewals correctly may be the best long-term solution.

Frequently Asked Questions