2025 marks a turning point. With sweeping residency reforms, new premium residency options, and updated expat levies, the Kingdom is rewriting the rules. This Saudi Arabia Expat Fees and Residency Guide 2026 becomes your essential reference whether you hold a regular Iqama, sponsor dependents, or aim for a kafeel-free future in the Kingdom.
A New Era for Expats in Saudi Arabia
The era of dependency on a Saudi sponsor (kafeel) is transforming. According to the Saudi Arabia Expat Fees and Residency Guide 2026, expatriates will experience new flexibility, clearer fees, and pathways toward independent residency. The reforms align with Vision 2030’s push to attract global talent, investment, and stability. Already, more than 40,000 premium residency applications have been submitted between January 2024 and July 2025, and green card applications as well. This restructure reimagines the relationship between expats and the Kingdom.
Expat Levy & Iqama Fees Explained
Monthly Levy (Work Permit Fee / Maktab Amal)
- Employers currently pay SAR 800 per foreign worker per month as the levy
- These payments can be made in lump sums (3, 6, 9, or 12 months)
The employer is legally responsible for deducting this from the employee’s salary is prohibited.
Iqama Issuance & Renewal Fees
| Service | Fee (SAR) | Notes |
| Iqama issuance/renewal | Approx 51.75 SAR | Also applies to new permit issuance and renewals. |
| Exit & Re-entry visa extension | 103.5 SAR | For those who hold an Iqama and travel out and back. |
| Final exit permit | 70 SAR | When leaving KSA permanently. |
| Employee report | 28.75 SAR | For changes or official document requests. |
| Passport info amendment | 69 SAR | For correcting passport info on Iqama records. |
These modest fees contrast sharply with the levy’s scale, meaning the work permit levy remains the highest recurring cost for expatriates.
Dependent Fees
- Each dependent (spouse, child, etc.) attracts SAR 400 per month.
Annually, that’s SAR 4,800 per dependent. (400 × 12)
Health Insurance & Compliance
No reform is complete without compliance. Under the new system:
- Expat health insurance is mandatory and must meet minimum coverage criteria.
- Applicants for premium residency must pass medical checks.
- Medical fitness is a prerequisite, ensuring public health safeguards.
Failing to maintain valid insurance or health certification may lead to fines, permit suspension, or denial of renewals.
The New Kafeel-Free Residency System (Premium Residency)
Under new reforms, expats may opt into a kafeel-free residency model — i.e., no sponsor required via Premium Residency programs. This system is central in the Saudi Arabia Expat Fees and Residency Guide 2026.
Two Premium Residency Types
| Type | Fee | Duration / Renewal |
| Unlimited / Permanent | SAR 800,000 (one-time) | Lifetime residence, no renewal needed. |
| Renewable / Annual | SAR 100,000 per year | Renewable each year, subject to conditions. |
Beyond those financials, Premium Residency grants benefits like:
- Living, working, and investing without a kafeel.
- Owning property (except in Mecca, Medina, and border zones).
- Freedom to switch jobs within the private sector.
- Visa-free exit & reentry, using Saudi lanes.
Note: Premium Residency does not grant Saudi citizenship or voting rights. As of mid-2025, over 40,000 applications were filed under premium residency. In 2024, 8,074 premium residency permits were issued under new categories.
Unpack everything you need to know about Saudi Arabia’s Premium Residency, often dubbed the “Saudi Green Card,” and what it means for foreign investors, professionals, and long-term residents.
Eligibility & Application Process
To qualify under the Saudi Arabia Expat Fees and Residency Guide 2026, candidates must meet:
- Minimum age: 21 years
- Valid passport & legal status in Saudi Arabia
- No criminal record
- Medically fit
- Demonstrated financial capability or investment ability
- Other criteria based on the category (investor, entrepreneur, skilled professional) Legal
Explore the path toward Saudi Arabia Citizenship under Vision 2030 reforms, including eligibility criteria, privileges, and the growing role of exceptional talent in shaping the nation’s future.
Application Steps (via pr.gov.sa)
- Register and complete the online application. Saudi Embassy
- Submit documents (passport, ID, medical reports, bank statements, etc.).
- Wait for approval.
- Pay the applicable fee (SAR 800,000 or annual).
- Receive a residency permit and privileges
Once approved, holders enjoy exit & reentry freedom and may use Saudi national lanes at airports.
To compare with standard Iqama residency, read Comparing Premium Residency vs Regular Residency.
Who Benefits the Most from the New Law?
- Highly skilled professionals: Freed from employer dependency, can negotiate mobility.
- Investors & entrepreneurs: Can establish and run businesses independently.
- Dependents & families: Easier sponsorship, residence, and education access.
- Long-term residents: Those planning decades in Saudi Arabia can lock in stability.
For ordinary expats still under Iqama, the new guide helps you see pathways and weigh benefits against levy burdens.
Discover how Saudi Arabia’s latest banking regulations impact expatriate accounts, remittances, and investment options. A must-read for expats looking to navigate the Kingdom’s evolving financial ecosystem confidently.
Small Business & Industrial Exemptions
To spur growth, the government maintains incentives:
- Expat fee waivers for industrial sector workers extended through end-2025.
- Small businesses may get flexible scheduling or reduced levies under Nitaqat or domestic priority programs.
- Employers still shoulder the Iqama, work permit, and renewal costs by law accordance with Ministry of Human Resources
These carve-outs make expansion and employment more viable for startups and manufacturing firms.
Understand the new penalties and compliance updates for employers hiring expat workers in Saudi Arabia, ensuring your business operations remain aligned with current labor regulations.
Practical Tips for Expats
- Track deadlines: Levy, renewal, and dependent fees all have monthly or annual timelines.
- Don’t deduct levy from salary — illegal.
- Check status online via Absher / Muqeem platforms.
- Apply early for Premium Residency to avoid delays.
- Keep medical & insurance records updated to maintain compliance.
- Plan for dependents: Budget their SAR 400/month fee per dependent.
- Consult legal or HR advisors for category eligibility.
From culture and community to recreation and opportunity, this piece captures what it’s truly like to live and thrive as an expatriate in Saudi Arabia in 2025 and beyond.
Better Living Experiences
The Saudi Arabia Expat Fees and Residency Guide 2026 outlines a new world for foreign residents. With clearer levies, streamlined Iqama fees, and a pathway to independent residency, the Kingdom is fostering a climate where talent and investment can thrive.
Whether you remain under a traditional sponsor or step into a kafeel-free future, this is your roadmap. As reforms roll out, stay updated, stay compliant, and embrace a future where expat life in Saudi Arabia becomes more stable, empowered, and integrated.
FAQs
What is the new work permit (levy) fee for expats?
It’s SAR 800 per month, paid by the employer, not deducted from salary.
How much is an Iqama renewal or issuance?
Around SAR 51.75 for new or renewal, plus additional service fees.
How many dependents’ fees are there?
SAR 400 per dependent per month.
What are Premium Residency program fees?
Permanent option: SAR 800,000 one-time; Renewable option: SAR 100,000/year.
Who can apply for Premium Residency?
Applicants must be 21+, medically fit, financially capable, have no criminal record, and meet category-specific criteria (e.g., investor, talent)
Do Premium Residency holders still need a kafeel?
No, kafeel-free residency is a key benefit. They can work and live without a sponsor.
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This article is brought to you by Soul of Saudi (a Saudi travel blog dedicated to uncovering the beauty, heart, and soul of the Kingdom).
