Last Updated on
Iqama, the resident id of Saudi Arabia, expires after a year of its issuance date. After that, it needs renewal. As per the new system, Jawazat doesn’t print the iqama expiry date on the card. Now, Absher, which is moi ( ministry of interior KSA) portal, offers the online service to check iqama expiry date, aka iqama validity.
You will need iqama number and an Absher account to query it. Let’s start the procedure and find the iqama status for expiry.
Check Iqama Validity, Expiry Date By Iqama Number
Here is the first method on how to check the expiry date of iqama in Saudi Arabia in 2020.
Step1. Go to the Absher website link and tap on “Individuals.”
Step 2. If you are not familiar with Arabic, then Select “English” located on the top left corner. Enter the username or Iqama number, password, and image code.
Step 3. You will receive a four-digit verification code on your mobile, enter it
Step 4. Upon successful verification, Scroll Down. You will find the option, Query Iqama Expiry Service. Tap/click on it.
Final Step. Enter the iqama number and image code then click/ tap on View.
You will find the iqama expiry date. If the date is in green, it means that your iqama/Resident ID is valid, active, and not expired.
The red color of the iqama expiry date means that Saudi iqama is expired and needs renewal as soon as possible. Also, moi Jawazat charges fines and penalties on the late renewal of iqama. Therefore, to avoid penalties, it is better to renew iqama before it expires.
If your iqama is expiring between 18th March 2020 and 30th June 2020, the jawazat is renewing it for 3 months without any fees. The said facility implies every expats working in private sectors, commercial/industrial. And, to all those currently living inside Saudi Arab or on the vacation outside the kingdom.
Furthermore, Moi ( ministry of interior ) has also announced a relaxation in collecting the iqama fees for a period of 2 months. The renewal of iqama is taking place without paying any fees for the time being.
You can find more details int the article about Iqama Fees paid or not paid
The infographic will help you to understand the procedure.
Inquiring For Iqama Expiry Date by Absher App. (The Easiest Method)
In addition to the above method, you can also inquire iqama to check the validity date or expiry date by using the Absher app. Furthermore, it is a unique and new way. To do so,
Step-1 Log in to Absher App by entering the credentials ( username-password )
Step-2 Once you log in successfully, Go to “DASHBOARD” and tap on “Timeline” tab
Step-3 You will see the very first tab, “ME & FAMILY.” Under this tab, you can see the expiry date of Iqama. You can also find the Passport expiry date and Driving License expiry date.
Although, it is a little bit tricky to convert Hijri dates to Gregorian dates. However, Absher App has provided the service to check iqama expiry in English date, calendar in an easy way. Besides, this is the only method that shows the iqama status in the Gregorian Calendar.
One more thing, if you want to check the status of iqama expiry, validity without Absher account. Yet you can find out by asking a friend who has an account in moi absher.
Provide your iqama id and verify if it is correct. Open ‘Query iqama expiry service,’ enter iqama number, image code, and click on view to check the validity, expiry status of iqama. The portal will show the results on the new absher window.
Because the site www.moi.gov.sa is no more providing the e-service to check iqama expiry date or validity date. So directly access the Absher’s new website. Here is the link to check the said service.
3rd Method For Iqama Check Without Absher | Unique Method
You can also know about the validity and expiry date of Iqama without having an Absher account. The method that we are going to share with you, is also quite easy and provides the expiry date in Gregorian and Hijri Dates. For this procedure, you should have a bank account. We are using the Bank Al Ahli account. However, the procedure is almost the same for all other banks.
If you have Quickpay account or Tahweel al rajhi, you can find iqama expiry by the given method.
- Login to the bank account by providing a user name and password.
- After successful login, click on the ‘Settings’, located Under Home Section on the left.
- On The ‘Setting’ page, Click on ‘ID Expiry Update’, the very first option.
- The next window will show you iqama expiry date in Hijri calendar as well as in Gregorian/English Date.
4th Method: Iqama Check By MOL KSA Portal ( Without Absher)
In this method, by using mol ksa ( ministry of labor Saudi Arab Portal), you can check iqama status for expiry date easily. This method does not require an Absher account. Furthermore, it displays iqama expiry date in both, Hijri and Gregorian formats. The procedure is as follows,
- Open ministry of labor portal using the given link. MOL KSA Portal
- Now Enter your full name as written on iqama and the date of birth. Then, enter 6-digit captcha code and click on ‘Next’
- The new window will show your complete details including the iqama expiry date in English and Hijri dates.
However, this method might work only once because these are the initial steps to register on mol ksa portal. Furthermore, it doesn’t work if you are outside the Saudi Arab. The reason is that portal doesn’t work from any other country except within the Kingdom.
Iqama Expiry Fines and Penalties
There are lots of fines and penalties on iqama expiry. We have a dedicated article on this topic.
Anyhow, One of the main iqama expiry fine and penalty is on its renewal after expiry. Jawazat charges a fine of 500 riyals. Next year the expiry fees increase to 1000 riyals on the repetition of the same violation. But the third consecutive violation will result in a garama( grama or gharama) as a final exit and no renewal for iqama.
A Must Read: Latest 11 Fines On Iqama That You Must Know in Saudi Arabia
Also, if your sponsor doesn’t renew iqama three days before its expiry, then he will have to pay a double fee as an iqama expiry penalty.
Check Iqama Insurance Expiry
Iqama insurance is, in fact, medical insurance. It doesn’t expire with iqama. You can use it until it expires. Besides, there are three types of health insurance; Category A, B and C. It is essential for an expat to obtain health facilities in Saudi Arabia. However, You can check its expiry and details on the health portal of the Saudi Health Ministry.
Furthermore, You can find all the details in this article. The link is below
Get The Hands-On Health Insurance: Know About the Expiry Date Of Health Insurance In Saudi Arabia.
Check Iqama Expiry In Muqeem Portal
Another portal that can check iqama expiry or validity date is Muqeem. However, only sponsors can use and check iqama status in it. It’s not a free portal. The service has annual charges for the usage, and the companies, accessing it, pay the fee. For an expat, the Absher portal does the job.
Check Iqama Status Red Green Yellow
A reason for iqama expiry is nitaqat status. Which is also known as iqama status ( red, green, yellow). It shows the categories in which the sponsor falls. Any company in red can’t renew iqama of its employees. So its better if you check it.
Read The Article: Nitaqat Status For Iqama That Everyone Must Know
The service is not available in English until now. But you can use a translator to help you.
Check The Sponsor Id, Kafeel Name
- Visit the Absher website.
- Enter Username, Password, and then OTP.
- Once you Log In, tap on My Account and then, tap on Dashboard.
A Complete Article On 5 Ways To Check Kafeel Name And ID
- On the next window, scroll down and tap on More Details.
- On the next Screen, Scroll down until you find Sponsor ID.
Frequently Asked Questions.
How Long Does it Take to Renew Iqama?
One Day! Yes, that’s true. Renewal of iqama takes only one day. Jawazat issues iqama within a day, If the company/kafeel fulfils the requirements for iqama renewal. There is no delay from Jawazat.
How many years does the Iqama Expiry?
You can check the validity of iqama by the above methods. Mostly iqama expiry is for one year. However, the iqama card (ID) is issued for five years. May it sound confusing? When iqama is released. The expiry date is five years for the Iqama card. After five years, Jawazat issues a new iqama card (id).
Can Iqama be renewed for two years?
The answer is YES. Iqama can be renewed for two years. However, it depends upon a few factors. Like the status of the company in Nitaqat, the agreement between you and the company. Etc.
Can we renew iqama for six months?
Iqama is renewed for a year. However, if you want to stay for six months, you can. But you will have more six months to live in Saudi Arabia.
Can I go exit with an expired iqama?
Yes, you can exit with an expired iqama. There is no issue at all. Kafeel/ Company can arrange a final exit visa for you.
How to Check if the Iqama is renewed?.
As per the new system, As soon as your iqama renew, you will receive a message on your mobile number registered with Absher. However, before you could receive an SMS, make sure that you register and activate Absher account.
How to check if Iqama is valid?
The above two methods in this article explain the procedure to check if iqama is valid or not. Use any of them to know the status. Also, if you want to know without login to Absher, you can still know by asking a friend to help you. The inquiry method for iqama expiry is simple and takes 5 minutes only.
The other method to check iqama renewal is given in the above post. If you find a new iqama expiration date with a green background, then it means that your iqama is renewed.
You can also check iqama expiry in Gregorian date, as shown in the above method.
Was this article helpful to you? Give us your opinion by commenting below. If you have any questions or queries, then please ask us. We will try our best to help you as much as we can.
You may also like to read: How to Apply for a Driving License in Saudi Arab.
You may also want to know to Make an Absher Online Account.
Uzair says
Very useful..