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Updated May 2024
Iqama is a residence permit issued to all ex-pat residents in Saudi Arabia by the Ministry of Interior. All ex-pat residents arriving in Saudi Arabia on work and dependent visas must be in possession of a valid Iqama since its importance cannot be overstated.
A valid Iqama functions as official identification and enables its holders to open up a bank account and apply for a driver’s license, mobile SIM card, and many others. Therefore, it’s imperative for ex-pat residents to always be aware of the validity period of their Iqama.
If you’re an ex-pat resident residing in Saudi Arabia, read on as Wego provides a comprehensive guide on how you can perform an Iqama check to determine the status and expiry date period of your residence permit online, your red-green status, and more.
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How to check the Saudi Iqama status online in English?
The status of your Saudi Iqama can be checked online in English either through the Ministry of Labour (MoL) portal or through the Absher portal:
Iqama status check KSA online via MoL
To determine whether your Iqama status is still valid or has expired, the easiest way is to head to the Ministry of Labour (MoL) portal and perform your Iqama check. This will allow anyone to check the status and validity of their Iqama even without an Absher account.
Follow these simple steps to check your Iqama status and validity period:
- visit the Ministry of Labour (MoL) portal
- select ‘English’
- enter your Iqama number, passport number, or border number
- provide your date of birth. This can be done in both Hijri or Gregorian format
- input the captcha number and click ‘next.’
The next page will detail all your personal information, including the expiration date of your Iqama, your work permit number, employment status, your Iqama color status, and your company’s legal status.
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Iqama status check KSA online via Absher
If you have an Absher account and would like to check your Iqama status through the Absher portal, here are the steps to do so:
- go to the Absher portal
- select ‘English’
- login to your Absher account
- input the OTP sent to your mobile
- select the ‘Query Iqama Expiry Service,’ and the expiration date of your Iqama will be displayed
What is the Iqama red-green status?
The red-green status of the Iqama is connected to a Saudi program called the Nitaqat program. The program basically categorizes the ability of companies or employers to easily process the visa requirements of foreign workers and employees.
This process includes three colors. Here, each color holds its own significance.
- The red color means that the employer has not fulfilled the requirements of the Nitaqat Program.
- Platinum/High Green color means that the employer has fulfilled the requirements of the Nitaqat Program.
- Low Green color means that the employer is in a transitional phase. This also indicates that the employer is working towards being compliant with the Nitaqat Program
For example, if an ex-pat resident has a green status on the Iqama, it means their employer or company has a wide range of options available to them pertaining to visa processing for foreign workers.
Among others, a green Iqama status allows a company to renew its employee’s Iqama on their behalf. Additionally, the foreign expat’s sponsorship may also be transferred to another company, which means that those with a green status can more easily move to other companies compared to those with a red status.
If you’d like to check your Iqama’s red-green status, you can easily do so by going to the Ministry of Labour’s Iqama portal.
What is the validity of my Saudi Iqama?
The validity of your Saudi Iqama can be anywhere between one to five years.
What happens if my Saudi Iqama expires?
If your Saudi Iqama’s expiry date approaches or passes, acting promptly is crucial. Once you’ve verified that your Iqama has expired, ensuring its renewal should be your top priority to steer clear of any penalties.
Neglecting to renew your Iqama within three days of its expiration may lead to fines. The initial penalty for such a delay is SAR 500, escalating to SAR 1,000 for subsequent delays.
Consequently, it’s crucial to adhere to the renewal procedure and regularly monitor the expiration date of your Iqama to prevent incurring financial repercussions.
For more information on the Iqama expiry date, please visit our dedicated article below:
