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Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has announced a new flexible system allowing employers to issue or renew residency permits (Iqama) for domestic workers for a minimum period of three months, replacing the previous practice of longer fixed-term renewals.
According to a report by the Saudi Gazette published on Sunday (July 19), the new service has been launched jointly by the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat), the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and the national recruitment platform Musaned.
Under the new system, employers can choose residency permit durations of 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 or 24 months for domestic workers and similar categories of employees. Permits can be issued or renewed entirely online through the Absher platform.
The change means employers will no longer be required to renew Iqamas only for one- or two-year terms. Instead, they can select a duration that best suits their financial and employment needs. For permits renewed in three-month increments, fees can also be paid in quarterly instalments.
Previously, domestic workers’ residency permits were generally limited to one- or two-year renewals, requiring employers to pay the full amount upfront.
Saudi authorities said the initiative is intended to provide employers with greater financial flexibility while making residency services more responsive to the needs of families and domestic workers.
The measure is also part of the Kingdom’s broader efforts to modernise residency services, simplify government procedures and expand digital public services.
The new policy is expected to benefit millions of expatriate domestic workers and their employers across Saudi Arabia.
