Eastern Province Passport Directorate - Dammam

The SAR 9,600 worker levy and SAR 400-per-month dependant levy are Ministry of Finance charges generated by Muqeem. Disputes about the amount are raised by the sponsor through Muqeem with a corrective SADAD invoice. Ar Rabi intervenes when the levy has been paid but Absher still blocks renewal, when a pro-rated refund is sought after departure, or when a dependant levy continues after the dependant left the file. Bring SADAD receipts, Muqeem statement, worker's passport and Iqama, and a Najiz-attested complaint. Approved refunds post to the sponsor's SADAD account within ten to fifteen working days.

If your sponsor filed a huroob report on Absher you have 30 working days to dispute it at Ar Rabi. Bring your passport, the Qiwa-authenticated employment contract, three months of Mudad salary-bank statements, and any documented correspondence proving you attended work. The case is escalated to the Eastern Province labour-immigration committee; accepted disputes clear the huroob within five working days and reinstate the Iqama. Rejected disputes carry one further appeal at the regional directorate. Sponsor-initiated withdrawal is faster - the sponsor logs into Absher and the flag clears within 24 hours.

The 2026 Absher amendment lets sponsors inside the Kingdom renew Iqamas for dependants currently abroad provided the dependant's exit-re-entry was issued and valid when they left. The transaction posts on Absher within 24 to 48 hours without a counter visit. The sponsor pays SAR 650 annual Iqama fee and SAR 400-per-month dependant levy via SADAD; medical insurance must remain active. Ar Rabi intervenes only when the exit-re-entry has lapsed, the dependant has been abroad more than six months, or the family mulhaq record needs updating. Attend with the dependant's passport copy, original exit-re-entry confirmation and updated medical-insurance certificate.

Final exit (Khurooj Nihai) cancels the Iqama on the date of issue, not departure. The sponsor files through Muqeem; the worker clears all Saher fines, traffic violations and expat-levy arrears via SADAD; the visa is linked to the passport electronically. Exit within 60 days or the visa lapses. Ar Rabi handles disputed cases where the sponsor refuses to file: bring a Najiz-attested complaint, the Qiwa contract, three months of Mudad payslips and the worker's passport. The Eastern Province labour-immigration committee can compel issuance if a documented breach is proven. The visa is free but settlement of all financial obligations is mandatory before issue.

Yes for routine matters. The Eastern Province head office requires an Absher appointment for Iqama renewal escalations, dependant updates, profession amendments and most travel-permit cases. Book under Passport Services and select the Dammam regional branch. Walk-ins are accepted only for genuine emergencies such as imminent travel bans, sponsor-blocked exits and causeway-commuter overstays where the worker cannot wait for the next Absher slot. The QR code on the appointment confirmation must be shown at the gate. Five daily prayer breaks of 20 to 30 minutes shape the counter rhythm.

During Ramadan hours shorten to 09:00 to 13:30, Sunday to Thursday, with no afternoon counter. The biometric-capture suite usually closes by 12:30. Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha closures are announced via the Ministry of Interior's X account around two weeks before each holiday and typically cover at least four working days. Plan all routine matters at least a week before Ramadan, Eid, the Saudi National Day or Founding Day, when demand spikes.

Use a multiple exit-re-entry visa, not a single. Frequent Bahrain crossings will void a single visa on the first return, leaving you out of compliance and at risk of an automatic Iqama cancellation. A multiple visa costs SAR 500 for the first three months and SAR 200 per added month, capped at the remaining Iqama validity. Workers who commute daily for short visits also need to make sure their Iqama remains active on Absher each morning; if it expires while abroad, the system blocks re-entry at Bahrain immigration.

No. Iqama renewal is Absher-led across Saudi Arabia. The Dammam counter handles only the residue: profession amendments, dependant-levy disputes, expired medical insurance, Nitaqat-blocked sponsors, and renewals where the worker has been outside the Kingdom for more than 180 days. The SAR 650 annual fee and SAR 9,600 worker expat levy must still be paid via SADAD before the officer can issue. A clean renewal posts within 24 hours under the Saudi rule; a counter-handled escalation typically takes three to five working days.

Yes. The Dammam directorate is equipped to handle batched filings from Aramco, SABIC and their major contractors through a dedicated PRO window operating Sunday to Wednesday from 07:30 to 11:00. Each PRO must carry a current Najiz Wakeel covering Iqama and travel-permit matters, individual passports and Iqamas for each worker, and a master SADAD receipt covering the batch. Batches of up to 50 files are accepted; larger batches must be scheduled in advance through the office's PRO liaison email.

If your sponsor has filed a huroob report on Absher, you have 30 working days to dispute it at Dammam. Bring your passport, the Qiwa employment contract, three months of salary-bank statements showing regular wages, and any documented correspondence proving you were attending work. The case is escalated to the Eastern Province labour-immigration committee. If accepted, the huroob is withdrawn and your Iqama reinstated. If rejected, you have one further appeal at the regional directorate before a deportation order takes effect.

Yes. Bring the baby's original Saudi birth certificate from the Civil Status Department, both parents' passports and Iqamas, the family mulhaq number, and your attested marriage certificate. Newborns must be added within 90 days of birth or a SAR 100 per month overstay fee applies. The newborn's Iqama expiry matches the father's, and the SAR 400-per-month dependant levy is pro-rated. Medical insurance covering the infant must be active on Muqeem before the Iqama prints.

Yes. The Khobar self-service Jawazat office on Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Road has a narrower menu but mall-style extended hours. It handles Iqama renewal, exit-re-entry visas, lost-Iqama replacement and uncontested final exits. Biometric capture, huroob disputes, profession amendments, sponsor-blocked exits and parental-visa conversions are still referred to the Dammam Ar Rabi headquarters. Khobar is convenient if you cannot leave work during the 07:30 to 14:30 weekday window.

Yes. Absher Individuals handles routine Iqama renewals, exit-re-entry visas, final exits, dependant travel permits and most fine payments. Muqeem mirrors the employer side. Qiwa handles work-permit and contract authentication. The 2026 amendment lets sponsors inside the Kingdom renew Iqamas for dependants currently abroad, provided the dependant left on a valid exit-re-entry. The Dammam directorate is reserved for biometric capture, huroob disputes, sponsor-blocked exits, profession amendments and dependant updates requiring sighted originals.