The dependent fee, called مقابل مالي للمرافقين in Arabic, is a monthly charge on the family members and companions of expatriates working in Saudi Arabia's private sector. It is the worker's bill, not the employer's. It is collected in advance, so a family of four can owe a large sum at renewal time.
How much is the dependent fee?
The General Directorate of Passports notice carried by the Saudi Press Agency set a stepped schedule that reached SAR 400 a month per person from 1 July 2020. Jawazat restated SAR 400 a month for each dependent and companion, as reported by Saudi Gazette. That is SAR 4,800 a year per person. Last checked: Oct 2026. If Absher shows a different amount for your file, pay what Absher shows.
Who counts
- Dependents: wife, sons under 18 and daughters.
- Companions: sons 18 and over, second, third and fourth wives, father, mother, parents-in-law, household workers, and anyone else registered as in the worker's service.
- People already exempt in the residence system stay exempt. A newborn is charged from the registration date.
When it is collected
- When a dependent's iqama is issued or renewed.
- When an exit re-entry visa is issued.
- When a final exit visa is issued.
The SPA notice says the fee is paid in advance through SADAD and is not refundable. Jawazat has said it can be paid quarterly with the iqama renewal. The December 2025 cabinet decision to cancel the levy on workers in licensed industrial establishments was about that worker levy. It did not cancel this family fee. See the Saudi questions page.