What is Tawakkalna?
Tawakkalna is an official Saudi government application developed by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). Originally launched as a health and movement-permit tool during the COVID-19 period, Tawakkalna has evolved into a multi-service government platform, sometimes referred to as Tawakkalna Services. It hosts digital identity credentials and links to a growing catalogue of government and private-sector services, making it one of the core apps that residents are expected to have on their phones.
What Tawakkalna handles
Tawakkalna's core functions for residents and expatriates include:
- Digital Iqama: the app displays a digital version of the Iqama, including a scannable QR code, that can be used in many situations where identity verification is required. This allows residents to show their residency credential without carrying the physical card at all times.
- Other digital documents: depending on your profile and linked data, the app may display other government-issued documents and credentials relevant to your status.
- Government service access: the app acts as a hub linking to services from multiple ministries and authorities, ranging from health appointment booking to document requests.
- Identity verification: Tawakkalna works alongside Absher and Nafath to confirm identity in contexts where a digital credential or government-verified status is needed.
- Status updates: changes such as Iqama renewal or a job transfer are typically reflected in Tawakkalna once the underlying record in the Ministry of Interior database has been updated.
How to set up and use Tawakkalna
- Download the Tawakkalna app from the official app store on your device (iOS or Android).
- Register using your national ID or Iqama number and date of birth. The app connects to the Nafath identity system for verification, so having an active Nafath account streamlines the process.
- Complete the identity verification steps prompted in the app, which may include an OTP to your registered mobile number or a biometric check.
- Once registered, your digital Iqama and any linked documents should appear in the app's credential section.
- For service access, browse the services catalogue within the app or use it to authenticate when prompted by a linked platform.
Confirm whether the digital Iqama displayed in Tawakkalna meets the specific requirements of the authority or service you are dealing with, as some offices may still require the physical card.
What expats use Tawakkalna for
Expatriate residents commonly use Tawakkalna to display a digital version of their Iqama for routine identity checks at workplaces, building entrances, or checkpoints where a full physical card presentation is cumbersome. The app is also useful for quickly verifying that a residency renewal has been processed by checking whether the updated expiry date has appeared in the digital credential.
A common issue is the app not reflecting a recent status change, such as an Iqama renewal or a job transfer. In these cases, the underlying Absher record should be checked first. If the Absher record is correct but Tawakkalna has not updated, contacting SDAIA support through the app is the next step. The digital Iqama is accepted in many everyday contexts, but confirm its validity for specific high-stakes transactions such as bank account opening or visa applications.