Monday, November 1, 2021
Saudi Banks start updating Government Payments system for minimum 3 months renewal of Iqama
Banks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have started updating their Government payments system for the issuance and renewal of iqamas (residency permits) linked to work permits for a minimum period of 3 months.
As per the recently updated Government payments system, payments of iqama fee can be done quarterly or half yearly basis.
- This will ease in completing the procedures of issuance and renewal of iqamas for the required period through Absher Business, Muqeem and Qiwa under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. Most Viewed : Institutional Quarantine headquarters set to host arrivals from outside Saudi Arabia
- As per the recent amendments in the Government payment system, banks will accept the fee payments for the work permit through employer for a minimum period of 3 months or 6 months or 9 months or a whole year.
- However, this service of quarterly or half yearly or 9 months payments is not available for the sponsors of domestic workers as the iqamas of domestic workers do not involve in work permits.
- The issuance and renewal of iqama is linked to work permit. Employers can pay the Expat Fee for the renewal of work permit, which is 800 SR per months and 9,600 Saudi Riyals in a year. Expats with dependents shall have to pay 400 SR per month for each dependent. See Also : Expats in Saudi Arabia can switch jobs more freely now, after new announcement
- Small companies with 9 or less workers including the full-time Saudi employer will be exempted from the payment of Expat fee for 2 workers. The number of employees exempted from the fee payment will be raised to 4, if the workers include one Saudi citizen in addition to the full time employer.
- The president of the Federation of Saudi Chambers recently confirmed the start of implementing the government decision to allow issuance and renewal of iqama with splitting up the payments, with a minimum period of 3 months.
- He added that this decision is a big relief and support for the business sector, especially for small and medium companies and startups. Follow Saudi Expatriates on imo (Limited to Mobile)
