RENEWAL OF IQAMA

RENEWAL OF IQAMA

Once you get an iqama made it can stay valid for one year or two years (if your Nitiqat category in Platinum. You can check your companies standing in Nitiqat through: How to Easily Check Iqama Status Nitiqat. After that it becomes the responsibility of your sponsor or employer to have you issued a renewed card. Please note, if you are getting your iqama renewed, your Iqama will now be replaced by the new Muqeem card. The Muqeem card is valid for 5 years but the fee needs to be paid every year.

How to apply for Renewal of Iqama or Muqeem

If you are still holding an Iqama card on renewal you will be given the new Muqeem Card. All you have to do to get your Muqeem card renewed is to notify the HR of your company. Gone are the days when you had to submit your documents manually. Now one can easily apply for the renewal process online. Same is what the HR does too; they simply apply for your iqama online. To check your Muqeem or Iqama Expiry you can read our guide: Check Iqama Expiry in 5 Simple Steps MOI

Iqama Renewal Fees

• The general iqama renewal fee is SR 650 and if you need to get iqama renewed for all your dependents as well, the fee becomes SR 1150.While the iqama renewal fee for dependents above 18 years of age is SR500.

Advice when applying for the renewal of your iqama

• Try to apply for a renewed Iqama three months before the old one expires. If an application is submitted after the due date has expired, the employer or sponsor will have to pay the fine. The fine is equivalent to the Iqama renewal fee.

Residents who have to provide medical tests on Iqama Renewal

The residents of the following countries will have to provide medical test reports every time they get their iqama renewed.

• Ethiopia
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Thailand

What to do when your old Iqama is taken from you

• Once the new iqama is issued the company will take your old iqama from you after handing you over its copy. For safety purposes it is advised to take a letter in writing from your company that your iqama is under renewal process. Alternatively, you can ask for the printout that is made when your company renews your Iqama. In case you have to deal with police during that time, you can easily show them this letter or printout.

Please note the Iqama or Residence Permit is being replaced with a "Muqeem" Card. This card unlike its predecessor does not need to be reprinted or sent to the Passport Office each year.

Muqeem cards will be valid for 5 years and only the fee needs to be paid each year online by your sponsor.

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HOW TO EASILY CHECK IQAMA STATUS NITAQAT

 

Iqama Status or Nitaqat Category-In the event that your would like to check your iqama status (Iqama check Red, Yellow, Green, Platinum) your can use the below mentioned steps. If you would like to learn more in regards to what Niaqat is, what the categories mean, and the benefits or palatinates associated with Nitaqat, please read: Nitaqat Saudi Nationalization

If you like to check your iqama or muqeem expiry you can do so through: Check Iqama Expiry in 5 Simple Steps MOI

1. Open the Ministry of Labor Website
2. Enter your iqama / muqeem number in the second field, you should see " رقم الإقامة"
3. Enter the Captha, you should see "رمز التحقق"
4. Next Click the button on the right.  

Once you click, you should see the following screen:

Should you be concerned with Iqama Status / Nitaqat?

So what do these categories mean. Understand that as a expatriate you should not concern yourself with the standing of the company unless your rights are not being fulfilled. This can be highly useful if you would like to take a transfer from you existing sponsor and the company is in RED category. Please note that if you check the status of your iqama, Nitaqat Category, and you find your sponsor in Red you can take a transfer without his consent. To know more regarding transfer of sponsorship, naqal kafala you can read: Transfer of Sponsorship. If you would like to learn more regarding Nitaqat, its categories and the corresponding services you can read more: Nitaqat Saudi Nationalization.

Recently, the government has hinted to a new an improved version on Nitaqat which will cover all the loop holes left by the current system. You can read more regarding this here:

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CHECK IQAMA EXPIRY IN 5 SIMPLE STEPS MOI

Check Muqeem or Iqama Expiry through Ministry Of Interior Website

Muqeem or Iqama Expiry - Your residence permit, there is not a more important document to have in the Kingdom then you residence permit. Always have your iqama renewed on time. To be able to check iqama expiry you need to go to the Ministry of Interior website. Your Iqama or Muqeem card is required at all check points and you may be asked to produce it in official government buildings. It is always a good idea to have it on your persons at all times. Keep a copy of it in you car with the registration. To check Muqeemor Iqama expiry (Residence Permit validity) through the MOI website click on the link below. If you would like to learn more about your residence card you can go to the following link: Iqama / Muqeem

1. Click the link: Iqama Check
2. Enter you Residence Number in the first field
3. Enter the Captcha
4. Click On "View"
5. You should read: "Iqama is valid until" (Please note this is a Hijri date so you should covert it to Gregorian this can be done here)

The above system allows you to check if your iqama validity. Please note that you should try your level best to renew your residence card minimum 90 days before expiry. With the new muqeem cards, the card itself is valid for 5 years, which means you will not have to reprint the card, but needs to be renewed every year by your sponsor.

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The service displays to the citizen and the resident of KSA

How i can check my Iqama Issued or not? New comer.

When you come first time in Saudi Arabia for Job  and not less than three months you can check your Iqama (ID) status. 

Enter Your Sponsor Identity (Bitaqa) Number 

Enter your sponsor Year of birth.(Arabic Year)

Enter image code 

• The service displays to the citizen and the resident of KSA

• Who has not been issued an Iqama - past three month

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