Saudi imposes “dependent’s fee’ on foreign workers

The government of Saudi Arabia now requires expatriate workers, including overseas Filipino workers, to pay for each family member or dependent holding a resident permit or iqama. Starting July 1, 2017, foreign workers in the Kingdom have to pay to the General Directorate of Passport the amount of 100 Saudi riyals or approximately Php1,350 per dependent per month. Dependents include wife or wives, children, parents, in-laws, house workers, drivers, and any person whose name is registered in the system as sponsored by the expatriate worker.

The fee applies to dependents of all expatriates working in the private sector. The fee will be paid in advance up to the date of validity of iqama and is nonrefundable. The government will not issue exit and re-entry visas or renew residence permits without payment of dependent’s fee.

The dependent’s fee is being implemented gradually and annually through the government-run SADAD payment banking system. It will be increased to SR 200 per dependent per month on July 1, 2018, SR 300 per month on July 1, 2019, and SR 400 on July 1, 2020. The Saudi cabinet approved the collection of dependent’s fee from foreign workers reportedly to boost state revenues to offset the impact of the drop in oil prices./END

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