Saudi Arabia Announces Major Updates to Resident Identity Renewal: Five-Year Validity, New Procedures, and Online Renewal Options for Domestic Workers and Residents in 2026

Saudi Arabia has officially implemented a new five-year resident identity card system for expatriates, replacing the previous annual renewal requirement and marking a significant shift in residency administration under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative.

The reform, introduced in the first quarter of 2026, means that the physical Resident Identity (Muqeem) card is now valid for five years from the date of issuance, decoupling the physical card from the annual residency renewal process. While the legal status of residency must still be renewed annually or biennially through digital platforms like Absher or Muqeem, residents no longer need to visit government offices yearly to obtain a new physical card.

According to official sources, the change is expected to eliminate approximately 65 million office visits annually, saving tens of millions of working hours for the Kingdom’s over 13 million residents. The move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader digital transformation goals, shifting most transactions to online platforms and reducing administrative burdens on both residents and government services.

The new system was confirmed by multiple sources in early 2026, including the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) and regional news outlets reporting on updates to residency and labor regulations. Authorities emphasize that while the physical card lasts five years, compliance with residency renewal requirements remains mandatory through digital channels to maintain legal status in the Kingdom.

Residents are advised to monitor their residency expiration dates via the Absher platform and ensure timely renewals to avoid penalties, even though their physical identification card remains valid for the full five-year period. The reform represents one of the most visible changes to Saudi Arabia’s residency framework in recent years, aiming to enhance convenience and efficiency for expatriates living and working in the Kingdom.