What is Iqama in Saudi Arabia? Everything You Need to Know

Abid Latif

Admin

posted on 3 months ago — updated on 1 second ago

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A Iqama is a work permit card issued to foreigners who come to Saudi Arabia for work. When you arrive in Saudi Arabia on a new visa, you have 90 days to work with your sponsor (known as “Kafeel”). If your agreement is finalized, your sponsor will issue you an Iqama, which can be valid for either one or two years.

Importance of Saudi Iqama :

The Saudi Iqama is very important in Saudi Arabia. Without it, you cannot travel anywhere or work because it is your identity through which you are recognized in Saudi Arabia. If you have an Iqama, you can work and perform jobs. You can also travel to some Gulf countries based on your Iqama.

Categories of Iqama :

Company Visa (Company Iqama): This is for those who come to work for a company in various professions such as electricians, mechanics, welders, engineers, etc. Each profession has its salary range; for example, an engineer’s salary starts at 3000 Riyals and can increase based on experience and skills. Similarly, salaries for mechanics, electricians or labourers begin from 1000 to 3000 Riyals depending on the company and your work skills.

Individual Home Workers: This category includes visas for personal drivers, guards, housemaids, and domestic workers. These Iqamas can be issued for one or two years, depending on the agreement with the sponsor.

Trending : Check Iqama Expiry through Absher

Validity and Renewal:

Initially, company Iqamas were issued for two years, but now they are typically issued for one year due to changes in regulations. When you arrive on a new visa, you have a three-month trial period, after which a one-year Iqama is issued. The fees for the Iqama depend on the company and the employee’s profession.

If a company has less then 4 employees, it is considered a small company. The Iqama fees for such a company range from 1000 to 1200 Riyals, depending on the insurance and the age of the employees. Generally, the cost to issue an Iqama includes 650 Riyals for Jawazat (passport office) fees and 100 Riyals for Maktab Amal (labor office) fees per employee. The total cost for a one-year work permit is estimated to be between 1000 and 1200 Riyals, depending on the insurance.

For companies with fewer than 10 employees, there are 2 work permits with a Maktab Amal fee of 100 Riyals each. The remaining 8 employees’ work permits cost around 9700 Riyals. If a Saudi national is added to the company, the fees for 4 work permits will be 100 Riyals each, and the remaining 6 work permits will cost 9700 Riyals. Insurance is not included in these fees.

For domestic workers such as drivers or guards, the Iqama fee is 650 Riyals for one year and 1300 Riyals for two years. Domestic workers do not require insurance.

According to Saudi regulations, you can renew your Iqama up to six months before its expiration.

Saudi iqama Benefits

Obtain SIM cards from STC, Zain, or Mobily.
Make purchases on installment plans.
Open a bank account and register for banking applications.
Buy and register a car in your name.

According to Saudi regulations, you can have two SIM cards and register two cars in your name with one Iqama. You can also bring your family members to Saudi Arabia on a visit visa or a permanent visa, depending on your profession and salary.

What to do if the Saudi Iqama is lost :

If your Saudi residency permit (Iqama) is lost, you should report it to the passport office (Jawazat). If there is no Jawazat office nearby, you should file a complaint at the nearest police station.If you do not report it, you may be fined.

Saudi Iqama renewal and fines :

You can renew your Saudi Iqama 6 months in advance, and after the Iqama expires, you have 72 hours to renew it. You can now renew your Saudi Iqama for 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, or 12 months. If the Iqama expires, the fine for the first time is 500 Riyals, for the second time it is 1,000 Riyals, and for the third time it is also 1,000 Riyals. If you violate the Iqama expiration more than three times, you will be punished.

The Saudi Iqama card is now available in physical form, and you can also obtain it online. If you do not have a physical Saudi Iqama , you can issue it through the Absher platform using your mobile phone.