Saudi Arabia announces permanent and free residency for these groups of expatriates in 2023 (get to know them)
The Saudi Ministry of Interior issued a statement stating that it will exempt a specific group of expatriates to Saudi Arabia from residency fees in the year 1444/2023.
It allows these expatriates to renew their residency for free and without paying any additional fees. In this article, we will learn about the categories of expatriates covered by this decision and the requirements and procedures related to residency renewal.
Categories of expatriates benefiting from amnesty for residency fees
The categories excluded from the residency renewal fees include a number of expatriates, as follows:
1. Military personnel who have been trained in security facilities in the Kingdom
This category includes military personnel who have received training in security facilities in the Kingdom. They were exempted from paying residency renewal fees.
2. Spouses of foreign Saudi citizens
This decision includes the wives of Saudi citizens who are foreign nationals. Their residency renewal fees have been waived, and thus they are entitled to renew their residency for free.
3. Contractors with government institutions
This category includes individuals who work as contractors with government institutions in the Kingdom. The decision was amended to include these expatriates and exempt them from residency renewal fees.
4. Embassy staff and diplomatic passport holders
Embassy employees and diplomatic passport holders are included in the categories exempted from residence renewal fees in the Kingdom.
5. Domestic servants, agricultural workers, herdsmen and drivers under individual sponsorship
This category is excluded from paying residence permit renewal fees, and includes domestic workers, agricultural workers, herdsmen, and drivers working under individual sponsorship.
6. Dependent population of wives and children
Exemptions have been extended to residents with dependent spouses and children. These residents are required to apply for residence separately from the father after reaching the age of eighteen.
Requirements for residency renewal for expatriates
The residency renewal process for expatriates requires a number of procedures and requirements, including the following:
1. A passport that is valid for at least 6 months
The passport must be valid for at least 6 months when submitting the residence renewal application.
2. The presence of the resident in the Kingdom
The resident must be present in the Kingdom and not be absent during the residence renewal process.
3. Entry of individuals in the passport of the specified beneficiary
It must be ensured that each individual beneficiary is registered in the passport of the specified resident.
4. Pay the prescribed renewal fees
The resident must pay the prescribed residence renewal fees according to the category to which he belongs.
5. Payment of traffic fines, if any
In the event that there are traffic violations registered on the resident, these violations must be paid before renewing the residence permit.
6. Failure to report the resident’s escape or absence from work
The resident must not report his escape or absence from work during the residence renewal process.
How to renew residency in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
To renew residency in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the following steps must be followed:
- Log in with your username and password on the Absher platform.
- Go to the “Family Member Services” section.
- Click on “Iqama Renewal”.
- Select the individuals whose residence you wish to renew.
- Click on “Pay Fees Online”.
- Enter your credit card information.
- Click on “Pay” to complete the payment process.
- Locate the nearest automated teller machine (ATM) to pay the residence renewal fees.
- Enter the bank card and click on “Government Payments”.
- Enter the passcode and follow the instructions to pay the residence renewal fee.
How to inquire about the validity of the residence permit
You can inquire about the validity and duration of the residence permit by following these steps:
- Log in to the Absher platform.
- Select “Residence Permit Inquiry”.
- Go to the “Family Member Services” section.
- Log in with your username and password.
- A list of individuals associated with your residence permit will appear.
- Choose the individual whose residence you want to inquire about.
- Residency information including the expiration date will appear.
Conclusion
The Saudi Ministry of Interior decided to exempt some specific categories of expatriates from residency renewal fees in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These beneficiary groups include military personnel trained in security facilities, spouses of foreign Saudi citizens, contractors with government institutions, embassy employees and diplomatic passport holders, domestic workers, agricultural workers, herdsmen and drivers under individual sponsorship, and dependent residents of wives and children. To renew residency, expatriates must adhere to some requirements such as having a valid passport, paying the prescribed renewal fees, not reporting absconding or absenteeism, and being in the Kingdom. You can inquire about the validity of the residence permit and renew the residence through the Absher platform.
