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Reviewed April 2024
Iqama is a residence permit issued to all expat residents in Saudi Arabia by the Ministry of Interior. All expat residents arriving in Saudi Arabia on work and dependent visas must be in possession of a valid Iqama ID, which is of paramount importance. A valid Iqama ID functions as official identification and enables its holders to open a bank account and apply for a driver’s license, mobile SIM card, and many other documents.
Read on as Wego lays out a comprehensive guide on the Iqama ID.
Table of Contents
Iqama ID status and expiry date check
You can check the status and expiry date of your Iqama ID online, both with an Absher account or even without an Absher account.
Iqama status and expiry date check without an Absher account
To determine whether your Iqama ID 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 MoL portal
- enter your Iqama 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.
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Iqama status and expiry date check with an Absher account
If you have an Absher account and would like to check your Iqama ID status and validity through the Absher portal. Here are the steps to do so:
- go to the Absher portal
- select your preferred language
- 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.
For more information regarding the Iqama status check procedure, visit our article on Iqama Check 2024: How to Easily Check Your Iqama Status Online.
Iqama red-green
The red-green status on the Iqama ID 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 colorus. Here each colour holds its own significance:
- the red colour means that the employer has not fulfilled the requirements of the Nitaqat Program.
- platinum/high green colour means that the employer has fulfilled the requirements of the Nitaqat Program.
- low green colour 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 expat 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 green status can more easily move to other companies compared to those with a red status.
Iqama red-green status check
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.
© mol.gov.sa
The process to check the Iqama red-green status is fairly simple. Simply follow the given procedure:
- input either your Iqama number, passport number, or border number
- input the captcha number
- click the search button
Upon successful submission, the following page will detail the following:
- your name
- work permit number
- employment status
- Iqama colour status
- your company’s legal status
Iqama insurance check
Expat residents to Saudi Arabia can check their Iqama health insurance status and identify the insurance company that is issued through the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI) website.
Here is how you can do so:
- visit the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI) website.
- enter your ‘Iqama Number’ in the Identity Number section.
- enter the verification code on the image accurately.
- click on ‘OK’ to continue.
The next page will display your complete health insurance information.
Iqama huroob status check
Huroob is a term for a worker who runs away without the employer’s permission or is absent for an extended period of time. The Ministry of Labor’s official website can indicate a worker’s status.
Below are the steps to check huroob status online:
- go to the Ministry of Labor’s website
- enter your passport number, residency number, and border number
- choose your nationality
- enter the verification code on the image accurately.
- click on the “search” button
The iqama record and the huroob status will be shown at the bottom of the page. If the status is huroob, the employment status will show “Absent From Work.” Meanwhile, if the status is normal, it will show “On the Duty”
Iqama medical check
Foreign nationals entering Saudi Arabia on a resident visa must get an Efada medical report. The medical test report can be checked online through the Ministry of Health website.
Below are the steps you can follow to check the result of your Efada medical report:
- visit the Ministry of Health (MOH) website
- enter your border number and Sponsor ID number
- select the type as ‘Iqama Issuance’
- enter the verification code accurately, and click on search
For more information about Efada medical report, you can read our dedicated article below.
Iqama number
The Iqama number is a 10-digit numeric combination on the Iqama card, usually available at the bottom centre of the front page or below the applicant’s picture. Please note that the Iqama number is necessary to search for the Iqama status online on the website of the Ministry of Interior (MoI), Saudi Arabia.
To learn more about your Iqama number and how to check it, feel free to check out our dedicated article on this topic.
Iqama fees
The cost to issue or renew an Iqama is SAR 650 per year, which can be paid in quarterly installments:
- 3 months – SAR 163
- 6 months – SAR 325
- 9 months – SAR 488
- 12 months – SAR 650
Please note that the renewal of Iqama should be reported at least three days before the expiry date. If there is no report for the renewal without applicable reason, an individual or private company has to pay double the iqama fees for their employee.
