The Ultimate Guide to Your Saudi Iqama : Status Checks, Fees, Nitaqat, and Lost IDs

If you live in Saudi Arabia, your Iqama (Resident ID) is more important than your passport.

It is your life. You cannot open a bank account, rent an apartment, buy a SIM card, access government hospitals, or even leave the country without a valid Iqama. In the eyes of the law, if your Iqama is expired, you technically do not exist.

But managing it can be incredibly confusing for new expats.

My card says it expires in 2026, but my bank says it's expired now. Why?
Who is responsible for the fees—me or my boss?
What happens if I lose the physical card?

In 2025, the systems have changed. We now have Digital IDs, Quarterly Renewals, and stricter penalties for expiry.

This 1,400-word guide is your one-stop manual for everything related to your residency. Stop searching through 10 different forums with outdated info; here is the absolute truth about keeping your status legal in the Kingdom.

1. How to Check Your Iqama Status (The "Real" Expiry Date)

Here is the most common mistake expats make: Trusting the date printed on the card.

Your physical plastic card might have an expiry date of 5 years in the future. However, your actual residency is usually renewed year-by-year (or even every 3 months). If your digital status expires, your card is worthless, even if the printed date looks fine.

You need to check the Digital System. Here are the two official ways to do it.

Method A: The "Absher" Way (For Your Own Iqama)

If you have an active Absher account, this is the most accurate method.

Log in to the Absher App or website ([suspicious link removed]).
Go to "My Services" > "Dashboard".
Click on your profile picture/name.
Look for the "Iqama Information" section.
You will see the exact Hijri and Gregorian expiry date.
- Pro Tip: Put this date in your Google Calendar with a reminder set for 30 days prior.

Method B: The "MOL" Way (No Login Required)

If you lost your Absher password, or if you want to check the status of a potential new employee, use the Ministry of Human Resources (MHRSD/MOL) website.

Go to the MHRSD Inquiry Page.
Choose "Electronic Services" > "Labor Sector" > "Newcomer Inquiry" (or "Expat Inquiry").
Enter the Iqama Number (10 digits starting with 2) or Border Number.
Enter your Date of Birth.
The Result: It will simply say "Valid" (Green) or "Expired" (Red). It won't give the exact date for privacy reasons, but it tells you if you are in trouble.

2. Understanding the "Nitaqat" Colors (Red vs. Green)

You will often hear HR managers or colleagues whispering, "Our company turned Red." This refers to the Nitaqat system, which rates companies based on how many Saudi nationals they hire (Saudization).

Your life depends on this color.

Platinum / High Green: Your company is excellent. They hire plenty of Saudis. Your Iqama renewal will be instant, and visas are easy to get.
Low Green: Your company is safe, but barely. Renewals might be slower.
Red (The Danger Zone):
- This means your company is failing to meet Saudization targets.
- The Consequence: They are blocked from renewing Iqamas. If your Iqama expires while the company is Red, you are stuck.
- Your Secret Weapon: Under Saudi Labor Law, if your company is Red and your Iqama expires, you have the legal right to transfer sponsorship to a new employer without your current boss's permission. This is one of the few times you have total freedom.

3. Iqama Renewal Fees 2025: The Breakdown

Money is the #1 source of arguments between expats and employers. Who pays what? Let's break down the costs for 2025.

The Employee Costs (What the Company Pays)

According to Article 40 of the Saudi Labor Law, The Employer is legally required to pay for:

Government Fee (Jawazat): 650 SAR per year.
Work Permit Fee (Maktab Amal): 9,600 SAR per year (800 SAR/month).
Medical Insurance: Market rate (varies by age/health).

Warning: If your sponsor asks you to pay these fees, they are breaking the law. You can file a complaint with the Labor Court. (Exception: Some small establishments with 4 or fewer workers are exempt from the 9,600 SAR fee).

The Family Costs (What YOU Pay)

If you bring your wife and children to Saudi Arabia, you are the sponsor. Therefore, you pay. This is known as the Expat Levy (Dependent Fee).

The Rate: 400 SAR per dependent, per month.
The Math:
- 1 Wife = 4,800 SAR/year.
- 2 Children = 9,600 SAR/year.
- Total for Family of 3: 14,400 SAR per year.
Payment: This amount must be paid as a lump sum before the Iqama can be renewed. You cannot pay it monthly.

4. The New "Quarterly" Renewal Option

In the past, companies had to pay the full 10,000+ SAR upfront to renew an Iqama for a year. This caused cash flow problems for many businesses.

As of 2024/2025, the government allows Split Renewals. Your company can now renew your Iqama for 3 months, 6 months, or 9 months.

The Benefit: If your company is short on cash, they can pay ~2,500 SAR to renew you for 3 months to keep you legal.
The Catch: The Medical Insurance usually still needs to be valid for a full year (or at least cover the renewal period).
Impact on Dependents: If your Iqama is renewed for only 3 months, you only need to pay 3 months of Dependent Fees (400 x 3 = 1,200 SAR per person). This is a huge relief for families who struggle to save the full annual amount.

5. What to Do If You Lose Your Physical Iqama

It happens. You leave your wallet in a taxi, or it falls out of your pocket. Do not panic, but act fast. A lost Iqama is a security risk.

The Step-by-Step Fix:

Report it Immediately: Go to the nearest Police Station or specialized "Lost Documents" office. You need to file a report so that if someone uses your ID for a crime, you are safe.
The Fine: You must pay a 1,000 SAR fine for a lost Iqama. This is paid via SADAD (Alien Control > Lost Iqama).
The Appointment: Book an appointment at Jawazat (Passport Office) via Absher.
The Replacement: Bring your passport, the police report, the payment receipt, and 2 photos. They will print a replacement card.

6. Common Data Errors: Incorrect Name or Date of Birth

When you first arrive, the immigration officer types your name into the system from your passport. Sometimes, they make typos.

Example: Your name is "Michael," but the Iqama says "Mikel."

Why this matters: If the spelling on your Iqama does not match your Passport exactly, banks might refuse to open an account for you, and you might have trouble getting a Schengen or UK visa from Saudi Arabia.

How to Fix It:

If it is a new Iqama: Your HR needs to take your original passport to Jawazat to correct it.
If it is an old Iqama: It is harder. You may need to go to the Jawazat archives to prove the original entry data.
Pro Tip: Check the spelling the moment you receive the card. Correcting it in the first week is free and easy. Correcting it 3 years later is a headache.

7. The "Huroub" Nightmare (Absent From Work)

This is the scariest word in the expat dictionary. "Huroub" (Huroob) means your employer has reported you as "Runaway" or "Absent from Work."

How it happens: If you stop coming to work, or if you have a bad dispute with your boss, they might report you as Huroub on the system.
The Consequence:
- Your residency is immediately cancelled.
- You become an illegal alien.
- You cannot renew your Iqama, transfer sponsorship, or leave the country normally.
- If caught by police, you face detention and permanent deportation.
How to check: Use the MOL Inquiry link (Method B in Section 1). If the status says "Absent from Work," you are in Huroub status. You need a lawyer immediately.

8. The Digital Iqama: Leave the Card at Home?

Saudi Arabia is digitizing fast. You can now access your Digital ID via the "Absher Individual" app.

Download Absher Individual (Not the regular Absher app).
Log in.
Click "My ID".
A QR code appears.

Is it legal? Yes. The Ministry of Interior has stated that this Digital ID is a valid form of identification for police checkpoints, banks, and hotels. However, as an expat veteran, I advise you to keep the physical card in your wallet. Phones run out of battery. Apps crash. Internet fails in remote deserts. The plastic card never crashes.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I renew my Iqama if I have traffic violations? A: No. You must pay all Traffic (Saher) fines before the system allows renewal. This applies to both you and your sponsor.

Q: My passport is expiring in 2 months. Can I renew my Iqama? A: No. Your passport usually needs to be valid for at least 6 months to renew your Iqama. Go to your embassy and renew your passport first.

Q: Can I travel outside Saudi Arabia if my Iqama expires in 1 week? A: Technically, yes, if you have a valid Exit Re-Entry visa. However, most immigration officers recommend having at least 3 months of validity. Furthermore, if your Iqama expires while you are outside the country, you cannot come back until your company renews it online.

Q: How long is the "Grace Period" after expiry? A: You have 3 days after the expiry date to renew without a penalty. After 3 days, a fine of 500 SAR applies. If you delay for months, the fine doubles to 1,000 SAR.