Absher is the app most Medina residents open more often than they expect. Renewing a child’s iqama, checking a traffic fine, updating a passport: much of the paperwork that once meant a trip to an office now happens on your phone.
This guide focuses on the services residents actually use, not every menu in the app. Fees and conditions change, so check the amount shown in Absher before you confirm anything.
Quick answer
Short answer: Absher is the Ministry of Interior’s official digital platform for citizens, residents and visitors. Medina residents mostly use it for family iqama renewals, passport and visa services, traffic matters and personal records. Register once your residency is issued, use only the official app, and check the fees shown before you pay.
What Absher is
According to the platform itself, Absher is the electronic platform of the Ministry of Interior, providing its services digitally to citizens, residents and visitors. Its services cover Ministry of Interior sectors such as Passports, Traffic and Civil Affairs, and have expanded to other agencies (Absher).
For residents, that means your Absher login is one of the most important accounts you’ll hold in Medina.
Absher at a glance
- Run by: the Ministry of Interior (Absher).
- For: citizens, residents and visitors.
- Covers: sectors such as Passports, Traffic and Civil Affairs.
- Family iqamas: renewed through Absher (National Platform).
The services residents use most
| Task | Who usually does it | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Renew a family member’s iqama | The resident sponsor | Family member services |
| Renew a registered domestic worker’s iqama | The sponsor | Labour or domestic worker services |
| Passport and visa services | You, or the sponsor for dependents | Passports services |
| Traffic matters | The licence or vehicle holder | Traffic services |
The National Platform’s iqama renewal service explains the renewal paths for family members and domestic workers. Menu names can change with app updates, so follow the current labels in the app.
For driving licences, our licence renewal guide walks through the steps residents use most.
Setting up your account safely
Register on the official Absher site or app once your residency details are issued. Download the app only from the official store listing.
Keep your Absher account safe
- Use a strong, unique password
- Keep your registered mobile number up to date
- Never share one-time codes, even with someone claiming to be from a bank or ministry
- Log out on shared devices
- Check messages only inside the official app
Warning
Scammers often pretend to be from Absher or a ministry and ask for verification codes. Official staff will never ask you for your one-time code.
How Absher fits with other services
Absher works alongside the other accounts you’ll set up in your first weeks: your National Address from Saudi Post, Tawakkalna, Sehhaty and Nusuk. Our Tawakkalna guide and first-month checklist explain how they fit together.
If you travel to Makkah in the Hajj season, check each year’s rules. For Hajj 1447, residents without a Makkah-issued iqama or an approved permit needed an official permit to enter Makkah (DARP).
A monthly Absher routine
Five-minute monthly check
1
Check iqama dates: for everyone in the household.
2
Check passports: make sure none is close to expiry.
3
Check traffic records: for any new notices.
4
Check messages: in the official app only.
5
Update details: after a move, a new phone number or a new family member.
Tip
Set a monthly phone reminder for your Absher check. Problems are much easier to fix when you spot them early.
When Absher isn’t enough
Some cases still need your employer, a sponsor’s action or an appointment. If a service doesn’t go through, the app usually shows a reason, such as an unpaid fine or an expired passport. Fix that first, then try again. For emergencies, use the official numbers on the National Platform, not Absher.
FAQ
What is Absher used for in Medina?
Residents use it for Ministry of Interior services such as family iqama renewals, passport services and traffic matters.
Is Absher official?
Yes. Absher is the Ministry of Interior’s electronic platform for citizens, residents and visitors.
Can I renew my family’s iqamas on Absher?
Yes. The National Platform says family members’ iqamas are renewed through Absher.
Last checked 13 October 2026. Menu names and fees change; follow the current app and official pages.