The Iqama (Arabic for 'residence') is the official residence permit issued by the Saudi Ministry of Interior to expatriates living in Saudi Arabia. It records the holder's identity, profession, and sponsoring employer, and serves as the national ID equivalent for foreigners.
An Iqama is normally valid for one year (some categories run two years) and must be renewed before it expires, with the sponsor (kafeel) paying the government levy and a valid medical-insurance policy linked through the Council of Health Insurance. An expired Iqama blocks most government transactions and accrues fines, so renewal timing matters.
Your profession on the Iqama also controls what you can do, including whether you can sponsor family, so a mismatch with your real job often needs correcting.