Health Insurance (Tameen Sehi) via CCHI in Saudi Arabia
No CCHI-registered health policy, no Iqama renewal - and no Saudi hospital visit without surprises.
Last verified: 2026-06
Overview
Health insurance is mandatory for every expat in Saudi Arabia under the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI). It must be issued by a CCHI-licensed insurer and registered electronically so Muqeem can see it during Iqama renewal.
Employers pay for employee policies; dependents are usually paid by the sponsoring worker (some companies cover spouse and first two children).
Policies are categorised (VIP / A / B / C / D / E in some product lines) with different network access. Most working professionals fall under category C or higher; B and above grants access to larger private hospitals.
Documents required
- Valid Iqama or entry visa
- Passport copy
- Employer details (for employee policies)
- Family relationship documents (for dependents)
Eligibility
- You are a resident or about to become one
- Insurer is CCHI-licensed
- Category matches your job role and salary band (employer-defined)
Fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Employee policy (Category C) | 800-1,800 SAR | Per year; paid by employer. |
| Dependent policy (Category C) | 1,000-2,500 SAR | Per dependent per year; commonly paid by the worker. |
| Upgrade to Category B | +30-60% SAR | Adds access to most major private hospitals. |
| Maternity rider | Included in C and above SAR | Mandatory under CCHI for married female members of working age. |
| Late policy purchase fine (employer) | 1,000 SAR | Per uninsured worker per month; rises with repeat offences. |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm category with HR
Ask your employer which CCHI category applies and which insurer they use. This determines hospital network access.
online
- 2
Employer issues employee policy
Employer issues your policy through the CCHI-licensed insurer. The policy is auto-registered on the CCHI platform and visible on Muqeem.
1-3 days · online
- 3
Add dependents (if applicable)
Add spouse and children to the same policy or buy a separate dependent policy. Payment is via the insurer's portal.
Same day · online
- 4
Receive insurance card
Most insurers issue a digital card linked to your Iqama. Show it (or just the Iqama number) at any in-network clinic or hospital.
Instant · online
- 5
Annual renewal
Renewal happens alongside Iqama renewal. The policy must cover the entire renewal period (1 or 2 years).
online
Processing time: New policy: same day to 3 days. Dependent additions: same day.
Where to do it online
- Muqeem
Verify insurance status linked to Iqama
Direct insurer portals or HR are the main channels; typing centres are not involved.
Renewal
Policies renew annually; if you renew Iqama for 2 years, the policy must also cover 2 years upfront.
Fines & penalties
- Employer fine per uninsured worker per month: 1,000 SAR (rises with repeats)
- Gap between policies blocks Iqama renewal until insurance is reinstated
- Misusing someone else's policy: criminal liability and policy cancellation
Common pitfalls
- Assuming your category covers a specific hospital - always check the network list
- Letting policy lapse during sponsor transfer - schedule overlap deliberately
- Forgetting maternity coverage waiting periods (often 9-10 months after policy start)
- Choosing the lowest category and being routed to limited clinics during emergencies
FAQs
Employers pay for employees by law. Dependents are usually paid by the worker unless the employer's policy explicitly covers them.
Generally no - your employer selects the insurer and category. You can sometimes upgrade at your own expense through the same insurer.
Yes, all CCHI policies from Category C and above include maternity coverage, although waiting periods (typically 9-10 months) apply.
Categories define which hospitals and clinics you can access. Higher categories (VIP, A, B) include premium private hospitals; lower categories (D, E) are limited to specific networks.
Only if the policy explicitly includes GCC or international coverage. Standard CCHI policies are valid only inside Saudi Arabia.
Coverage usually ends with your last working day. The new employer must issue a fresh policy before your Iqama transfer completes - plan for a few days of overlap or pay short-term cover.
Skip the hassle
A vetted typing centre can handle the paperwork end-to-end.
Get help with Health Insurance (Tameen Sehi) via CCHI