Absher 2026: Check Your Iqama, Visas & Fines

Last updated: Apr 28, 2026

Absher is the Saudi Ministry of Interior’s online platform — and the fastest way to check the status of almost any government record tied to your ID. Iqama validity, visa status, traffic fines, dependent records, border numbers — all checkable in minutes, free of charge, from your phone or laptop.

This guide covers every check you can run on Absher in 2026, with current steps, the right service links, and what to do if a check returns something you weren’t expecting.

Table of Contents

Before you check: what you’ll need

Most checks on Absher require you to log in. Logins now go through NAFATH — Saudi Arabia’s unified national authentication system — which became mandatory for accessing Absher in 2024 and is the standard in 2026.

To log in and run a check, you’ll need:

A registered Absher account (linked to your National ID or Iqama)
The NAFATH app installed on your phone for biometric approval
A Saudi mobile number registered in your name

A handful of checks — like Query Border Number and Query Traffic Violation for Visitors — are public and don’t require login. Those are flagged below.

You can run any check on either the Absher web portal or the Absher Individuals app (available on Apple, Google Play, and Huawei AppGallery). Both pull from the same backend, so results are identical.

Iqama check on Absher

The Iqama (residency permit) check is the most common reason expatriates open Absher. It tells you the exact expiry date in both Hijri and Gregorian calendars, plus your current renewal status.

Steps to check your Iqama on Absher:

Log in to the Absher portal via NAFATH.
Go to My Services → General Services.
Select Query Iqama Expiry Service.
Your Iqama number, expiry date (Hijri and Gregorian), and renewal status will display on screen.

The check is free. Renewal reminders also appear on Absher 90, 30, and 7 days before expiry. If you’d rather check without an Absher login, see our guide on how to check Iqama online.

Visa status check on Absher

Absher handles every visa check that matters to a resident or visitor: exit/re-entry, final exit, visit visa, and dependent visas. Each one shows the current status, validity dates, and any conditions attached.

Exit/re-entry visa check

To check your exit/re-entry visa status on Absher:

Log in to Absher and open My Services.
Go to Passports → Inquiries.
Select Exit and Return Visa Status.
The visa type, issue date, expiry date, and status will display.

Check at least 72 hours before departure. If the visa is expired or close to expiry, you can extend it through the same Passports menu — provided your Iqama remains valid for at least 90 days and the return date is no later than seven days before Iqama expiry.

Final exit visa check

The same path applies for final exit visas. Once issued, a final exit visa cancels your Iqama on departure, so verify the issue date is correct before flying. Wego has a separate guide to Saudi exit/re-entry visas covering fees, extension rules, and the January 2024 Jawazat decision that lifted the previous three-year re-entry ban for expatriates who failed to return before their exit/re-entry visa expired.

Visit visa and dependent visa check

Sponsors and residents can check visit visas issued for family or guests, plus the status of dependents’ visas, under My Services → Sponsorship → Inquiries. For a step-by-step on every Saudi visa lookup method, see our Saudi visa check guide.

Traffic violations check on Absher

Absher’s traffic violations check shows every fine registered against you, your dependents, or vehicles linked to your ID. You can also extend the deadline to pay or settle violations directly from the same screen.

For residents and citizens (logged in):

Log in to Absher and open My Services.
Select Traffic → Inquiries.
Choose Query Traffic Violations.
A full breakdown of fines, dates, and amounts displays. You can pay, contest, or print the report.

For visitors (no login required), use the public Query Traffic Violation for Visitors page. Enter your border number or Iqama number, complete the CAPTCHA, and click View.

Outstanding traffic fines block driving licence renewal and certain visa transactions, so it’s worth running this check periodically.

General fines and penalties check

Beyond traffic, the General Violations service covers fines issued by other government bodies — municipal violations, labour fines, and similar penalties registered in the General Violation database.

To check:

Visit the General Violations page.
Enter the Fine Number and Violator ID.
Type the CAPTCHA and click View.

The Violation ID and Requester ID must match for the query to return results. The detailed report can be printed for your records.

Passport validity check

You can verify your passport’s recorded expiry date and any travel restrictions through Absher. This matters for exit/re-entry visa applications, which under Jawazat rules require the passport to remain valid for at least 90 days at the time of issuance.

Log in to Absher.
Open My Services → Passports.
Select View Profile or Passport Information.
Your passport number, issuing country, and expiry date will display.

If the recorded expiry date is wrong, you’ll need to update it at a Jawazat office before applying for any new visa.

Driving licence validity check

Absher shows the issue date, expiry date, licence class, and any endorsements on your Saudi driving licence. Renewal can be done from the same service.

Log in to Absher.
Open My Services → Traffic.
Select Public Query Driving Licence.
Licence details and validity will display.

Renewal fees as of April 2026 are SAR 80 for two years, SAR 200 for five years, and SAR 400 for ten years. All outstanding traffic fines must be cleared before renewal can be processed.

Border number check

The border number is the unique identifier issued at the point of entry to Saudi Arabia, often needed by visitors for visa extensions, traffic violation queries, or hotel registration. The check is public — no Absher login required.

Visit the Query Border Number page.
Select citizen type (GCC or non-GCC).
Enter your passport number, nationality, and date of birth.
Complete the CAPTCHA and submit.

Your border number will display along with the entry date.

Dependent records check

Sponsors can review every dependent registered under their Iqama — spouse, children, domestic workers — and verify each one’s Iqama validity, visa status, and travel permissions.

Log in to Absher.
Open My Services → Sponsorship.
Select View Dependents.
Each dependent’s record opens with full status details.

Dependents over 18 now have their own Absher accounts under updated Jawazat policy, so they can run the same checks independently.

Muqeem Digital ID check and print

The Muqeem Digital ID is the electronic version of the plastic Iqama card. It carries a variable QR code that authorities can scan to verify your residency status — useful when you don’t have the physical card on hand.

To view or activate your Digital Muqeem ID:

Open the Absher Individuals app.
Tap your profile icon.
Select Digital ID or Muqeem Digital ID.
The QR code displays. Authorities can scan it to verify your identity.

If you need a printed Muqeem, use the Muqeem Print service under My Services on the web portal. Under the new system rolled out in 2026, the physical Muqeem card is valid for five years from the date of issue, while the underlying residency status is renewed digitally on Absher or Muqeem.

Absher app vs. portal: Which to use for a check

Check type	App	Web portal
Iqama, visa, fines, licence	Yes	Yes
Border number (public)	Limited	Yes
Muqeem Digital ID (QR code)	Yes	No
Muqeem print request	No	Yes
Traffic violation for visitors (public)	No	Yes

For day-to-day checks, the app is faster. For visitor-facing public checks and Muqeem print, use the web portal.

What to do if a check returns wrong information

Absher pulls data from the underlying government database (Jawazat, Public Security, Civil Affairs). If a check shows an error — wrong expiry date, missing dependent, fine you didn’t incur — Absher itself can’t correct it.

Iqama or visa data wrong: contact Jawazat (General Directorate of Passports).
Traffic violation disputed: use the in-platform objection option, or visit Muroor (traffic police).
Civil affairs data wrong: visit Ahwal Madaniya (Civil Affairs).
Sponsorship or dependents wrong: Jawazat handles updates.

Always screenshot the check result before raising a correction — it’s the easiest way to evidence the issue.

Frequently asked questions

Are Absher checks free?

Yes. All status query services on Absher — Iqama, visa, fines, licence, border number, dependents — are free of charge. Fees only apply when you take an action like renewing or paying a fine.

Can I check my Iqama on Absher without logging in?

No. Iqama checks require a logged-in Absher account authenticated via NAFATH. Visitors and people without an Iqama cannot run this check on Absher, but the Muqeem portal offers an alternative public lookup using the Iqama or visa number.

Can visitors use Absher checks?

Visitors without a National ID or Iqama can use the public Query Border Number and Query Traffic Violation for Visitors services without logging in. Most other checks require an Absher account, which requires a National ID or Iqama.

What’s the difference between an Absher check and a Muqeem check?

Absher is the individual-facing platform from the Ministry of Interior. Muqeem is the business-facing platform run by Jawazat, primarily used by employers and authorised representatives to manage employees’ and dependents’ records. The underlying data is the same; the audience and login differ.

Is Absher available in English?

Yes. The Absher portal and app both support Arabic and English. Toggle the language from the top right of any page or in the app settings.

Can I run an Absher check from outside Saudi Arabia?

Yes, provided your account is already registered and activated. NAFATH approval works internationally as long as your Saudi mobile number can receive a data connection or you’ve set up the NAFATH app in advance.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.