Issue & Renew Iqama for Domestic Workers & Family Members on Absher

Absher has expanded its services to allow sponsors to issue and renew domestic worker iqama online — including a new flexible 3-month option. This is a significant change for households employing domestic workers (maids, drivers, nannies) in Saudi Arabia.

Source: @Absher — Tweet, 44K views

This service also covers family members (dependents) — sponsors can issue a Resident ID (iqama) for spouse, children, or other dependents through the same Absher platform.

What’s new

Since 19 July 2026, the Ministry of Interior (Jawazat) — with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Musaned platform — issues and renews iqamas for domestic workers and similar categories for periods starting from 3 months, in multiples of 3 months (Saudi Press Agency). Previously the choice was one or two years. Reported options on Absher:

• 3, 6 or 9 months — shorter periods
• 12 months — standard annual renewal
• 15, 18, 21 or 24 months — longer periods

Jawazat says choosing a shorter period does not increase the total residency fee; you simply pay for the period you select.

This flexibility helps sponsors who:

• Hire domestic workers for seasonal needs
• Want to test a new worker before committing to a full year
• Need temporary help during specific periods

Who can use this service?

• Employers (sponsors) with domestic workers registered under them
• Workers in categories: domestic workers, personal drivers, nannies, cooks
• The sponsor’s iqama must be valid
• The worker must be registered in the Absher system

Step-by-step: How to issue/renew domestic worker iqama

Step 1: Login to Absher

Go to absher.sa or use the Absher app

Step 2: Navigate to Family Members

• Go to “My Services” → “Family Members” or “Domestic Workers”

Step 3: Select the worker

Choose the domestic worker you want to issue/renew iqama for

Step 4: Choose duration

Select a period in multiples of 3 months (3 to 24 months), as offered by Absher for your worker.

Step 5: Pay fees

• Domestic worker iqama fee: SAR 600 per year, charged for the period you choose (roughly SAR 150 per 3 months)
• Absher shows the exact amount, including any other government charges that apply to your case (for example, the levy that applies only to households with more than four domestic workers), before you pay
• Fees are paid through bank channels (SADAD) and the new period runs from the previous iqama’s expiry date

Step 6: Confirm and process

• Review all details
• Confirm the transaction
• Iqama is issued digitally

Important notes

• Valid passport: The worker’s passport must be valid
• Fingerprint and photo: The worker’s biometrics must be on record in the system
• No unpaid traffic violations registered against the worker, and the worker must not be reported absent from work
• Expired iqama: Absher’s renewal service lists that the iqama must not have been expired for more than six months; late-renewal penalties still apply
• Health insurance: Check whether Absher asks for active insurance for your worker before renewal

Cost comparison

Pro-rated from the SAR 600/year domestic worker fee; Absher shows the final amount.

Tip: Manage all domestic worker expenses — iqama fees, insurance, salary — in one place with SNB Neo (referral link). Set up automatic payments and track renewals.

Issuing Resident ID for Family Members (Dependents) via Absher

Sponsors can also issue a Resident ID (Iqama) for family members (spouse, children, or other dependents) directly through Absher. Following Jawazat’s awareness reminder:

Sep 2026: @AljawazatKSA confirmed that sponsors can issue a Resident ID for their family member or domestic worker easily in a few simple steps via Absher, as part of the ongoing #PassportsAtYourService campaign. (Source: @AljawazatKSA, 7,556 views)

Absher navigation for family members:

1. Login to Absher Individuals (absher.sa or the app)
2. Go to My Services → Family Members (or Dependents)
3. Select the family member you want to issue a Resident ID for
4. Follow the prompts to upload required documents and pay fees
5. The iqama is issued digitally

Required documents:

• Dependent’s passport with at least 6 months validity remaining
• Sponsor’s valid iqama
• Active health insurance covering the dependent
• Passport photos

Fees:

• Dependent fee (levy): SAR 400 per month per dependent (SAR 4,800 per year)
• Iqama fee for a dependent who has reached 18: SAR 500 per year (as listed on Absher’s Resident ID renewal service)

Important note: Check the renewal periods Absher offers for your dependents when you renew — Absher’s Resident ID renewal service lists periods starting from three months, but what you can select depends on the beneficiary and the sponsor’s own iqama. Always verify the latest fees and requirements on Absher or with Jawazat before proceeding.

📖 Full guide: Health Insurance for Dependent Iqama Renewal

Related guides

• Transfer Domestic Worker Sponsorship After Death
• Domestic Worker Exit After Sponsor Death
• Health Insurance for Dependent Iqama
• Absher Complete Guide
• Biometric Registration for Children

References

1. @Absher — Domestic worker iqama issuance/renewal — Twitter (July 2026)
2. @AljawazatKSA — Resident ID for family members/domestic workers via Absher — Twitter (September 2026)
3. Absher — Family member services — absher.sa
4. Saudi Press Agency — Domestic worker iqama issued/renewed for periods from 3 months (19 July 2026) — spa.gov.sa

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Fees and procedures may change. Always verify with Absher or Jawazat.