An Iqama is a residency permit in Saudi Arabia that allows foreign nationals to live and work in the Kingdom. The Iqama is similar to a green card in the United States or a permanent resident card in Canada. To obtain an Iqama, foreigners must have a sponsor, usually their employer, who will apply for the permit on their behalf.
The Iqama is valid for two years and can be renewed indefinitely.
An Iqama is a residency permit in Saudi Arabia. It allows the holder to live and work in the Kingdom. The Iqama is also known as a muqeem card or residence card.
To obtain an Iqama, foreigners must have a sponsor in Saudi Arabia, usually their employer. The sponsor applies for the Iqama on behalf of the foreign worker. Once issued, the Iqama is valid for two years and can be renewed indefinitely.
The Iqama has many functions; it serves as proof of identity, residency and employment status in Saudi Arabia. It also allows holders to open bank accounts, get utility services and rent accommodation.
Credit: www.arabnews.com
What is a Saudi Iqama?
An Iqama is a Saudi Arabian residency permit. It is issued to foreign nationals who have been granted permission to live and work in the kingdom. The Iqama allows the holder to travel freely within Saudi Arabia and also provides them with certain legal rights and protections.
The Iqama is valid for a period of two years, after which it must be renewed. Renewal can be done online or at any of the Passport Offices across Saudi Arabia. To renew an Iqama, the applicant must submit a copy of their passport, a completed application form, and proof of employment or sponsorship.
Holders of an Iqama are required to carry it with them at all times and must present it whenever requested by authorities such as police officers or immigration officials. Failure to do so may result in fines or other penalties.
How Can I Get Saudi Iqama?
In order to obtain a Saudi Iqama, also known as a residency permit, you must first obtain a work visa. To do this, your employer in Saudi Arabia must sponsor you and submit an application on your behalf to the Ministry of Labor. Once your visa is approved, you can then apply for your Iqama at the Ministry of Interior.
The entire process can take several months, so it’s important to start the process as soon as possible if you plan on working in Saudi Arabia.
The requirements for obtaining a work visa and Iqama are generally the same: you must have a valid passport, a medical certificate proving that you are free of infectious diseases, and proof of financial solvency. You may also be required to undergo a security background check.
Once your application is approved, you will be issued a work visa which allows you to stay in Saudi Arabia for up to two years.
Your employer will then help you apply for your Iqama, which is renewable annually. The main requirement for renewing your Iqama is that you must have held a valid work visa throughout the year – meaning that if your work visa expires before your Iqama does, you will not be able to renew it.
In addition, men who wish to bring their families with them to live in Saudi Arabia must earn at least 3,000 SAR (roughly 800 USD) per month – this requirement does not apply to women.
Who Pays for Iqama in Saudi Arabia?
An Iqama is a residency permit issued by the Saudi government to foreign workers. The Iqama allows the holder to live and work in Saudi Arabia. In order to obtain an Iqama, foreign workers must have a valid work contract with a Saudi employer.
The employer is responsible for paying the fees associated with the Iqama. These fees include the cost of the physical card as well as a monthly fee that is paid to the government. The amount of the monthly fee varies depending on the nationality of the worker and their profession.
For example, highly skilled professionals such as doctors and engineers pay a higher monthly fee than unskilled laborers.
The employer is also responsible for ensuring that the worker’s Iqama is renewed on an annual basis. If the worker leaves their job, it is up to their new employer to pay for their new Iqama.
Is Iqama And Work Permit Same?
An Iqama is a residency permit in Saudi Arabia which allows the holder to live and work in the Kingdom. A work permit, on the other hand, is a document that grants an individual permission to take up employment in a certain country. In Saudi Arabia, an Iqama is required for any foreigner who wishes to stay and work in the Kingdom for more than three months.
The Iqama is obtained by the employer on behalf of their foreign employees and must be renewed every year. There are a number of requirements that must be met before an Iqama can be issued, such as obtaining a medical certificate and proving that the applicant has sufficient financial means to support themselves. The Iqama also entitles the holder to certain benefits and privileges, such as access to healthcare and education, as well as protection under Saudi Arabian law.
Work permits, on the other hand, are not tied to any specific employer and can be obtained by any foreign national who wishes to take up employment in Saudi Arabia. Work permits are usually valid for one year and can be renewed provided that the holder continues to meet all the eligibility criteria.
IQAMA for expacts | Saudi resident identity card| Indian life in Saudi Arabia
What is Iqama Number
An Iqama number is a special type of identification number that is issued to foreign nationals living and working in Saudi Arabia. The Iqama number is similar to a Social Security number in the United States, and it is used by the Saudi Arabian government to track foreigners living and working in the country.
The Iqama system was introduced in Saudi Arabia in 2004, and all foreign nationals working in the country are required to obtain an Iqama number.
To obtain an Iqama number, foreign workers must first obtain a work visa from the Saudi Arabian government. Once they have a work visa, they can then apply for an Iqama at their local government office.
Foreign workers who do not renew their Iqamas are considered illegal immigrants, and they may be deported back to their home countries. The Iqama system has been criticized by human rights groups for making it difficult for foreign workers to change jobs or leave Saudi Arabia if they are unhappy with their current situation. However, the Saudi Arabian government has defended the system as necessary for national security purposes.
Saudi Iqama Check
An Iqama is a residency permit in Saudi Arabia. To check the status of your Iqama, you can visit the Abshir website maintained by the Saudi Ministry of Interior. You will need to enter your Iqama number and image captcha to access the information.
The results will show your current Iqama status and expiry date. If your Iqama has expired, you will need to renew it through your employer.
Saudi Iqama Rules
As of 2019, the Saudi Iqama rules have changed. If you are employed in Saudi Arabia, you will need to obtain an Iqama (residence permit) within 30 days of arrival in the country. Your employer is responsible for sponsoring your Iqama and ensuring that it is renewed on a yearly basis.
Without a valid Iqama, you will not be able to leave Saudi Arabia or enter certain government buildings.
The conditions of your sponsorship are detailed on your Iqama. These include your job title, salary, and length of contract.
It is important to note that your sponsor has complete control over your Iqama and can cancel it at any time. If this happens, you will have to leave the country immediately.
If you want to change jobs, you must first obtain permission from your current sponsor before beginning the process with a new employer.
Once you have found a new job, your new employer will then begin the sponsorship process and apply for a new Iqama on your behalf.
The cost of an Iqama is 2200 SAR (approximately 600 USD). This fee is paid by your employer and included in your contract.
Overall, the Saudi Iqama rules are designed to protect workers in the country and ensure that they are properly sponsored by their employers.
Iqama Saudi Arabia Cost
The Iqama, or work permit, is required for any foreigner wishing to work in Saudi Arabia. The cost of the Iqama varies depending on the type of visa and length of stay, but typically starts at around SAR 4,000 (roughly USD 1,000). The Iqama must be renewed annually, and there is also a fee for this service.
Iqama Expiry
An Iqama is an identification document issued to foreign residents in Saudi Arabia. The Iqama allows the holder to live and work in the Kingdom. All foreign residents must have a valid Iqama, which must be renewed every two years.
The Iqama expiration date is printed on the front of the card, under the photo. The Iqama can be renewed up to three months before it expires. After that, late renewals will incur a fine of SAR 100 (about US $ 27) per month.
It is important to keep your Iqama current, as employers will not be able to pay your salary or provide benefits if it is expired. If you are caught working with an expired Iqama, you may be deported and banned from returning to Saudi Arabia for up to five years. To renew your Iqama, you will need to submit a completed application form, along with your original passport and residency permit (Ikhram).
You will also need to provide proof of employment (a letter from your employer), and pay the renewal fee of SAR 2200 (about US $ 600).
Iqama Status Meaning
An Iqama is a document that proves that an expatriate worker has been legally employed in Saudi Arabia. The Iqama status of a worker indicates their residency and employment status in the Kingdom. A valid Iqama is required for an expatriate to obtain certain services and benefits, such as opening a bank account or getting a driver’s license.
The term “Iqama” can also refer to the physical card that bears the holder’s photograph and fingerprint, which is issued by the Ministry of Interior. The Iqama card must be renewed every two years.
The validity of an Iqama depends on several factors, including the type of visa held by the holder, their occupation, and whether they have dependent family members in Saudi Arabia.
An Iqama can be valid for two years, five years, or indefinitely.
Iqamas are issued to foreign workers upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia. The employer is responsible for applying for the Iqama on behalf of their employee.
After receiving approval from the Ministry of Labor, the employer will submit all required documents to the passport office so that the applicant can receive their Iqama card.
Saudi Arabia Id Card Check
As of June 2017, Saudi Arabia began issuing ID cards to all citizens and residents. The new ID card includes a number of features, including the individual’s name, photograph, fingerprint, and other personal information. The card is valid for 10 years and can be used for travel within Saudi Arabia and to other countries that have agreements with Saudi Arabia.
The process of checking an ID card in Saudi Arabia is similar to that of other countries. The individual must present their card to the authorities, who will then scan the card and verify the information contained therein. If everything checks out, the individual will be allowed to proceed.
If there are any discrepancies, the authorities may take further action.
Www.Moi.Gov.Sa Iqama Check
If you want to check the status of your Iqama, or Saudi residency permit, you can do so online through the Ministry of Interior website. Simply log in with your username and password, and then click on the “Iqama” tab. From there, you will be able to see your Iqama number, expiration date, and other important information.
You can also print out a copy of your Iqama if needed.
Conclusion
The Iqama is a document that allows foreign nationals to live and work in Saudi Arabia. It is similar to a residency permit or a work visa in other countries. The Iqama is issued by the Ministry of Interior and is valid for two years.
After the expiration of the Iqama, it can be renewed for an additional two years.