Jeddah Passport Directorate - Al Kandarah

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. Al Kandarah intervenes when the levy has been paid but Absher still blocks renewal, when a pro-rated refund is sought after the worker departed, or when a dependant levy continues after the dependant left the file. Bring SADAD receipts, Muqeem statement, the worker's Iqama and passport, 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 Al Kandarah. 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 Makkah-region 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 visa 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. Al Kandarah 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, the 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. Al Kandarah 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 Makkah-region 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 Jeddah 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 Jeddah Al Kandarah branch. Walk-ins are accepted only for genuine emergencies such as imminent travel bans, sponsor-blocked exits, and Hajj-overstay regularisation where the pilgrim's permit has already expired and no Absher slot can be booked in time. 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 session. In the two months after Hajj, the branch typically opens a parallel evening counter from 16:00 to 20:00 dedicated to overstay regularisation, announced via the Ministry of Interior's X account. Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha closures are signalled around two weeks in advance and usually cover at least four working days. Plan all routine matters at least one week ahead of any Ramadan, Eid or Hajj period.

No. Iqama renewal is now Absher-led across Saudi Arabia. Al Kandarah handles the residue: Nitaqat-blocked sponsors, dependant-levy disputes, expired medical insurance, profession amendments, and residents who have 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 Absher renewal posts within 24 hours; a counter-handled escalation at Al Kandarah typically takes three to five working days.

Pilgrims who entered Saudi Arabia on a Hajj or Umrah permit and remained beyond their visa expiry can regularise their stay at Al Kandarah by paying the standard overstay fine, typically SAR 100 per month, plus a final-exit visa for departure. In some cases an employer can sponsor a status change from Umrah to residence, but this is tightly controlled and requires Ministry of Hajj approval. The pilgrim must surrender their original passport, pilgrim's wristband and any retained permit copy or Tasreeh reference. The case is logged on Absher and a deportation order is replaced with a voluntary-exit notice.

A final-exit visa (Khurooj Nihai) cancels the Iqama on the day of issue, not the day of departure. You become a non-resident on Absher immediately, even while physically in Saudi Arabia, and you must exit within 60 days or the visa lapses. The exit is free of charge but all traffic fines, Saher penalties and expat-levy arrears must be cleared first. Al Kandarah handles sponsor-disputed cases where the worker is seeking an exit the employer refuses to file; bring a Najiz-attested complaint and any Qiwa contract documentation.

Yes. Bring the baby's original Saudi birth certificate from the Civil Status Department in Jeddah, both parents' passports and Iqamas, the family mulhaq number from your original sponsorship, 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. If a sponsor has filed an absconding report on Absher and you believe it is unjustified, you have 30 working days to dispute it at Al Kandarah. Bring your passport, the Qiwa employment contract, three months of salary-bank statements, and any documented correspondence proving you were attending work. The case is escalated to the 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.

To convert a parent's visit visa to a residence permit, bring the parent's passport with a valid entry stamp, your own Iqama and passport, your attested birth certificate proving the parental relationship, a salary certificate showing minimum income of around SAR 5,000 per month, and an attested medical-insurance policy covering the parent for the full Iqama period. The Al Kandarah officer verifies the documents and forwards the case to the Makkah Regional Governor's office for approval. Approval is discretionary; expect six to eight weeks of processing.

Yes. Absher Individuals handles the bulk of resident-facing transactions: Iqama renewal, 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. Al Kandarah is reserved for biometric capture, huroob disputes, sponsor-blocked exits, Hajj overstays and dependant updates requiring sighted originals.