Penalties on Employers for not Renewing Iqama

As per the announcement of Jawazat in Saudi Arabia, Iqamas (Residence permits) of expatriates should renew on time, before its expiry date, otherwise sponsors or employers will face heavy penalties.

The Directorate General of Passports (Jawazat) has given 3 days of grace period from the date of expiry, to those who failed to renew their iqama (residence permit). Its an employer or sponsor responsibility to renew iqama of his employee on time.

- If the employer failed to renew iqama of his employee even after 3 days of grace period, A penalty of 500 Saudi Riyals will be imposed on him.

- The penalty will be doubled to 1000 Saudi Riyals on the employer, If the violation (not renewing iqama on time) is repeated for the second time.

- If the violation of not renewing iqama on time is repeated for the third time, Then the expatriate will be deported from Saudi Arabia and the employer will be fined 1000 Saudi Riyals.

- The reason for penalties is to ensure the employer renew iqama of his expat employee on time and to protect the rights of the labor, which will help in regulating the labor market properly.