What is the Iqama?
The Iqama (Arabic for 'residence') is the official residence permit issued by the Saudi Ministry of Interior to expatriates living in the Kingdom. It contains the holder's full name, identity number, profession, and the name of their sponsoring employer. For practical purposes it functions as the national ID equivalent for foreigners: banks, hospitals, government service counters, and most commercial transactions require you to produce it or quote the number on it. Saudi citizens carry the national ID; expatriates carry the Iqama.
The Iqama is linked to the Kafala sponsorship system, which means the card is tied to a specific employer rather than being a free-standing permit. When employment ends, the Iqama status changes, and a new sponsor is typically required before a fresh card can be issued. This link between card and employer makes keeping the Iqama current one of the most important ongoing tasks for any expatriate in Saudi Arabia.
How to get, check, or renew your Iqama
- Entry and initial issuance: After arriving on a work visa, your sponsor initiates the Iqama issuance through the Muqeem platform. You will need to complete a medical examination at an approved center, submit biometric data, and provide a valid passport and any other documents your employer or the authorities require at the time.
- Check your expiry date: Log in to Absher Afrad with your Iqama number and check the identity status section, where your expiry date appears alongside your personal record. Alternatively, the Muqeem platform or a government service center can confirm the status. Keep a reminder set well before expiry.
- Renewal process: Your employer or their public relations officer (PRO) initiates the renewal through Muqeem, pays the annual government levy, and ensures your health insurance is active through the Council of Health Insurance. You do not visit an office for a standard renewal. Once processed, a new card is printed and delivered or collected.
- Collect or confirm issuance: After processing, you or your employer collects the physical card from the designated service center, or it may be delivered depending on the service option chosen at the time. Confirm the current collection method with your employer.
Confirm the exact documents, fees, and steps required for your specific situation with your employer and the relevant authority, as requirements are updated periodically.
Rules, validity and cost
Most Iqamas are valid for one year, though some categories or professions may carry a two-year validity. The annual government levy paid by the employer has varied over time and differs by worker category; confirm the current levy with your employer or through the MHRSD or Jawazat. Medical insurance linked through the Council of Health Insurance is a legal requirement for renewal. An expired Iqama blocks most government transactions and begins accruing overstay fines, so renewal timing is critical.
What expats should know
The profession recorded on your Iqama is not a formality. It affects whether you can sponsor dependents, transfer jobs, and access certain services or licenses. If your real job does not match the Iqama profession, correcting it through a formal profession-change request (tagheer mehna) is usually worth pursuing. You should also verify that your mobile number registered with the Ministry of Interior is current, as Absher OTP delivery depends on it. Keep a digital scan of your Iqama alongside the physical card, and track the expiry date yourself rather than relying solely on your employer to remind you.