Saudi Arabia Updates Rules for Private Driver Residence Renewals
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- Saudi Arabia Updates Rules for Private Driver Residence Renewals
RIYADH – The General Directorate of Passports in Saudi Arabia has announced a new condition for renewing the residence permits (iqama) of private drivers.
New Prerequisite: Payment of Traffic Violations
According to the General Directorate of Passports, the renewal of a private driver’s residence permit will not be processed unless all traffic violations are settled. This applies to violations registered against the driver themselves or any family member residing with them in the Kingdom.
“This procedure comes within the framework of promoting commitment to traffic regulations.”
Seven Essential Requirements for renewal
the General Directorate of Passports has outlined seven key conditions that must be met to successfully renew a private driver’s residence permit:
- Payment of issuance or renewal fees, including any applicable delay fines.
- Settlement of all traffic violations registered against the driver or any family member.
- Successful completion of a medical examination at an approved medical center within Saudi Arabia.
- The driver must be present within the Kingdom during the renewal process.
- The driver’s passport must be valid at the time of renewal.
- The driver’s fingerprint and personal image must be registered in the Ministry of Interior’s electronic system.
- The driver must not be classified as “disappointing” in the records of the Ministry of Human Resources.
Renewing Your Iqama Online via Absher
The Saudi Passports office has streamlined the iqama renewal process by offering an online service through the Ministry of Interior’s Absher platform. Here’s how to renew a private driver’s residence permit online:
- Visit the official Absher website.
- Log in using your username or national ID number and password.
- Enter the verification code sent to your registered mobile number.
- From the main menu, select “electronic services.”
- Click on “Sponsoring Services” and then choose “Renewal of Residence.”
- Carefully read the instructions and click “Next.”
- Select the dependent to be renewed (the driver).
- Choose the renewal period (typically one year) and click “Data Confirm.”
- Pay the renewal fees electronically through available channels, such as a bank account or credit card.
- Upon successful completion, you will receive a confirmation message.
Iqama Renewal Fees for Private Drivers
The approximate annual cost for renewing a private driver’s residence permit in Saudi Arabia is 10,350 Saudi riyals, broken down as follows:
- 600 riyals: Annual residence fees.
- 100 riyals: License fees.
- 9,600 riyals (800 riyals per month): Financial compensation for expatriate workers.
Penalties for Late Renewal
The General Directorate of Passports has clarified that penalties will be imposed for delaying the renewal of a private driver’s residence permit. These penalties are consistent with those applied to other expatriates and follow a progressive scale:
| Number of Delay Times | Fine | accompanying Procedure |
|---|---|---|
| First Time | 500 riyals | Warning to renew promptly. |
| Second Time | 1,000 riyals | Official warning. |
| Third Time | Cancellation + final deportation | Prohibition from returning to Saudi Arabia for work. |
Vital Reminder from the passports office
The Saudi Passports office urges all citizens and residents to ensure that all outstanding dues and violations are settled before applying for iqama renewal. The office emphasizes that electronic systems are interconnected with databases such as traffic and health records, and any failure to meet the requirements will result in immediate rejection of the renewal request.
