Saudi Arabia has introduced shorter and more flexible residency permit renewal periods for domestic workers, allowing employers to issue or renew an iqama for as little as three months.
The new service is available through the Ministry of Interior’s Absher platform and marks a significant change from the previous system, under which residency permits were generally issued or renewed for one or two years.
The initiative was launched by the Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Passports, commonly known as Jawazat, in cooperation with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the national recruitment platform Musaned.
Eight Renewal Periods Now Available
Under the revised system, employers can select from eight different residency periods for domestic workers and people employed in similar categories.
| Available iqama period | Payment arrangement |
|---|---|
| 3 months | Fees paid for the selected three-month period |
| 6 months | Fees calculated for six months |
| 9 months | Fees calculated for nine months |
| 12 months | One-year residency period |
| 15 months | Extended flexible residency period |
| 18 months | One-and-a-half-year residency period |
| 21 months | Extended flexible residency period |
| 24 months | Two-year residency period |
The available options are three, six, nine, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 months. This means employers are no longer required to choose only a one-year or two-year permit when issuing or renewing the residency status of an eligible domestic worker.
Residency Fees Linked to Selected Period
One of the most important changes is that employers will pay residency fees only for the permit period they select.
For permits issued or renewed for three months, or for periods made up of multiples of three months, payments can be made on a quarterly basis. Employers will therefore no longer have to pay the cost of a longer residency period in advance when a shorter permit is more appropriate.
The revised payment structure is expected to make it easier for households to manage expenses associated with employing domestic workers. It also gives employers the ability to choose a permit duration that more closely reflects the worker’s employment arrangements and the household’s requirements.
Service Available Through Absher
Employers can access the new residency service electronically through Absher, Saudi Arabia’s digital platform for government and immigration-related procedures.
Moving the process online is intended to reduce administrative work and make the issuing and renewal of residency permits more efficient. The cooperation of Jawazat, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and Musaned also links the residency process more closely with the country’s domestic worker recruitment and employment systems.
Change Applies to Domestic Worker Categories
The flexible renewal periods apply specifically to domestic workers and people falling within similar eligible categories. The announcement should not be interpreted as a general change to the iqama renewal system for every foreign worker in Saudi Arabia.
Employers should select the appropriate duration through Absher and ensure that the worker continues to meet all applicable residency and employment requirements.
Part of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Transformation
Saudi authorities said the measure forms part of broader efforts to modernise residency services, streamline government procedures and expand access to digital services.
By offering shorter permit periods and more flexible fee payments, the government aims to improve the experience of employers and domestic workers while making residency procedures better suited to different employment circumstances.
The change represents a practical reform to Saudi Arabia’s domestic worker residency system. It gives employers greater control over renewal periods, reduces the need for large upfront payments, and provides more options for maintaining the lawful residency status of eligible workers.