Understanding the Iqama ID in Saudi Arabia: A Complete Guide

Saudi Arabia is home to millions of expatriates who live and work in the country. One of the most important documents for any foreign resident in the Kingdom is the Iqama ID. This residency permit is essential for legal stay, employment, and access to various services. In this blog post, we will cover everything you need to know about the Iqama ID—its purpose, benefits, and important regulations.

What is the Iqama ID?

The Iqama is an official residency permit issued by the Saudi Arabian government to foreign workers and their dependents. It serves as proof of legal residence and work authorization in the country. The Iqama is typically sponsored by an employer or a family member.

Key Purposes of the Iqama ID

1. Legal Residency Permit

The Iqama acts as an official identification document for expatriates, proving their legal stay in Saudi Arabia. Without a valid Iqama, foreign residents can face fines, deportation, or other legal consequences.

2. Work Authorization

For expatriates working in Saudi Arabia, the Iqama is linked to their employer (also known as the Kafeel or sponsor). It confirms their right to work under the specific terms of their visa. Changing jobs requires Iqama transfer approval from both employers and the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources.

3. Banking & Financial Services

- To access banking services, expatriates must provide their Iqama ID. It is required for:

- Opening a bank account

- Applying for loans, credit cards, and mortgages

- Receiving salary payments (via Wage Protection System - WPS)

4. Healthcare & Insurance

Every resident in Saudi Arabia must have medical insurance linked to their Iqama. This enables them to receive medical care at hospitals and clinics. Expats cannot renew their Iqama without valid health insurance.

5. Travel & Visa Processing

A valid Iqama is required to:

Apply for an exit/re-entry visa when traveling outside Saudi Arabia

Sponsor family members for residency

Apply for visas to visit other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries

6. Driving & Vehicle Registration

To drive legally in Saudi Arabia, expatriates must:

Obtain a Saudi driving license, which requires a valid Iqama

Register a vehicle under their name using their Iqama ID

Pay traffic fines and insurance fees linked to their Iqama

7. Government & Digital Services (Absher Portal)

The Absher platform, an online government portal, is linked to the Iqama and allows residents to:

Renew their Iqama

Pay fines and traffic violations

Apply for family visit visas

Check residency status and employment contracts

Iqama Validity & Renewal

Iqama is usually valid for one or two years, depending on the employer’s contract.

It must be renewed before expiration to avoid fines and penalties.

Employers are responsible for renewing the Iqama for their workers.

Expats can check their Iqama status through the Absher platform.

Iqama Expiry Penalties

If an Iqama expires and is not renewed, the following penalties apply:

First offense: SAR 500 fine

Second offense: SAR 1,000 fine

Third offense: Possible deportation

Final Thoughts

The Iqama ID is the most important document for expatriates in Saudi Arabia. It is required for everything from legal residence to banking, healthcare, and travel. Keeping your Iqama valid and up to date ensures a smooth stay in the Kingdom.

If you're a new expat in Saudi Arabia, make sure to check your Iqama status regularly and keep a copy with you at all times. Have any questions about Iqama regulations? Let us know in the comments!

Why should you continue going abroad for work?

Of course, you can't deny that every Filipino or Overseas workers all over the world and the main reason for leaving your family is because of lack of income

But there no one could stop you to go abroad for work because the secret is or the reason is as long as the exchange rate of dollar to other currency is higher then there is no problem at all, you will only change your mind when you notice that dollar rate is going down and follow has no more value at all when you money and dollar currency get the same value of exchange.

For Filipino workers here's your exchange rate this year:

If your salary range is from 3,000 riyals then that's better

What would you choice OFW for life or Business in the Philippines?

Anyway, if I were you I would rather a choice to have a business in the Philippines 🏪, but the question is where would you get your capital? 💰 you always think the usual idea to go abroad 🛫and work for it. I want to tell you this, why the owner of the mercury drugstore become rich? he came from the poverty selling only a small number of medicines until he earns enough for establishing his first branch. I think we are just afraid of failures that we can't make it, but the answer is just around 😊

👉 I want to explain to you why your choice to go abroad to earn than stay in the Philippines and working abroad has an advantage too 😲

- Whenever happens I think you are always ready for all struggles 😏 💪and how hard to work without your family right? 👪 but the sad thing is that we can't hide anything as if no one does, I mean they experience what you experience too, let's be honest that you can't still earn more if you have big family supporting your family and some can save but just many of them.

- Working abroad would be lucky 🍀 for some but not all of you, we are talking about the millions of Filipino worker around the world 10% are the one who has good work and good salary 🐅, but sad to say 60% are hard to earn enough money 🐇 and 40% is good too but not as good as above expected 🐈

Becoming an entrepreneur is a right thing 🏭, we have good positive index not lower than 95%, were open to business and we are probably booming among Asian countries and the Philippines is the newest industrialize country a little more steps to second world country.

Why would you the choice to become on OFW if you can do it by your self? I mean opportunities here in the Philippines are everywhere! you're pushing your self to go abroad not the poverty, a plant can stand by her self with your assistance to give them water, just like our life, you support your kids until they become professionals and they will not go to choice to work abroad anymore. ⛺

Why there are so much Filipinos abroad? (bakit andaming nag-aabroad na Filipino?)

Isa sa mga nakikita kung dahilan ay ang 🅺ahirapan, bukod diyan maraming nag sasabing para mag karoon ng 🅺aranasan, 🅼akapasyal at may mga nag-sasabing para 🅼aka-ipon ng pera pang puhunan sa negusyu.

Narito ang mga listahan nang aking pag-papaliwanag kung bakit maraming nag aabroad na Pilipino at bakit kaylangan pang mag abroad?

💚 Isa na rito ay ang hindi man kagustohan ngunit kaylangang gawin ay para magkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan ang mga anak 👧👦

💚 Negusyu o para sa pohunan 🕴, nag iimpok ng pera para sa na-iisip na negusyu sa pilipinas, ang maganda nito kapag nag tagumpay ka ay malamang hindi ka narin babalik ng abroad, pero sa kasamhang palad merun din namang mga hindi nag tatagumpay sa napiling negusyu o kayay kulang sa kaalaman.

💚 Mag-iipon para sa pag-aaral 🏫, maraming single ang may plano nito lalo na kung nasa middle east ka dahil maiiwasan mo mga entertainment city’s na malamang ubos ang pera kapag ikaw ay lakuwatsa ng lakuwatsa

💚 The most common would be dahil maraming pangangailangan 👔👖👗👘 for an example sinabi kona to sa kabila kong article na maraming mga anak or hindi matustusan ang pangangailangan ng pamilya.

💚 Maliit ang suweldo sa pinas 💲, I think this also a common reason but siyempre maliit ang sahud mo dahil alam naman natin sa pinas ang unemployment rate natin ay napakababa na, mababa pa ang sahud, inflation rate (Pag-taas ng bilihin) 💹satin mataas din pano pagkakasiyahin ang kakarampot mong sahud sa isang buwan.

💚 I think nakikita kurin na dahilan ay ang mga anak minsan ang sumosuporta sa mga magulang 👼 ngayon maraming ganyan (Tulad ko) kaya naman hanga din ako sa mga katulad kung breadwinner nag sasacripisyu for their parent’s needs and siblings, pero ang mahirap diyan pag tumanda na tayo medyu mahihirapan na tayong mag-ipon dahil puro nalang sa magulang lahat lalo na kung maraming kapatid sagot mo lahat pati birthday nila, di doble doble na hirap natin 💪

💚 May utang or maraming utang na dipa nababayaran sa pinas 😭 (Old debt’s) mapapamura ka talaga ng sariwa dahil ang dahilan mo lang naman or what is your reason to go abroad is to manage your utang sa credit cards or like sa house na binili pero hindi pa bayad lahat or let say loaned house 🏡

💚 Basta gusto lang maranasan is not a reason would be na mahalaga, like gusto mo lang makabili ng mga gamit ⌚📷📱💻 dahil matitibay at imported which is not because almost lahat naman ng products na ngayon ay puro nalang made in china talo pa ang mga local products hindi ba?

💚 Just for fun 👻na nag abroad? What! Mahaba ang 2 years brad para mag laro lang.

💚 A silent secret 😈 but its true na para maiwasan ang asawa or mga anak, Napaka iresponsableng ama/ina naman yon, wag naman sana ganun ano? (Specific) pero i think meron paring gumagawa nito sa familya nila na iniiwan na lang at sumama sa ibang ka relasyun 😭😭😭

💚 Matakasan ang mga kasalanan sa pilipinas, government 👮or mga kaibigan for some hinden reason, wag na nating I kuwento pa dahil meron talagang mga ganyan, i know someone like this na para di madamay or tinakasan ang law 👮

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What is the importance of working abroad? ( Bakit mahalaga ang pag-aabroad?)

Magandang mag abroad din naman kasi talaga dahil hindi mo lang matututonan ang mga bagay bagay na wala satin kundi marami kang experience for international crediting na puwede mong magamit kahit saan kapa mag ponta or lumipat. Mga listahan kung bakit magang ma ransasan mo ding mag abroad kahit isang taon lang.

👉 Una ay yung tinatawag nilang “karanasan abroad” which a knowledge that you can carry anywhere wherever you go, mabuting may karanasan abroad kaysa wala dahil puwede mo itong maituro kanino man o mga kaibigan mong magtatanong, to keep them informed of what to do and not to do in that country they choose to go.

👉 Siyempre naman ay para makapag-ipon ng recibo - este! Pera para magamit ano man ang plinaplanong panggamitan sa pilipinas

👉 Habang maaga pa at bata pa itong pag aabroad natin ay mahalagang pag iponan na ang kinabukasan o kaya namany mga planong pag-aaral, pag papatayo ng sariling bahay, pag-aasawa pag uwi, at iba pang mahahalagang pag iponan, dahil kapag nauna sa isip ang mga gusto mo lang mag abroad para mag enjoy ay walang paruruonan ang pera nating pinag hihirapan.

👉 Kung halimbawa ay isa kang ama at marami kang mga anak, malaking suporta ito para matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mga bata sa pag-aaral hindi lamang sa mga pangangailangan sa inyong tahanan.

👉 Kasi naiisip nating lahat pag nag abroad ay maraming pera, tama naman po iyon wag po nating sabihin na mababa ang sahud dahil anopaba ang dahilan mo kung sasabihin mong recibo lang ang na-iipon mo siyempre po pinapadala mo lahat iyon, kumpara naman kung sa pinas kalang maaring magkasahud ka ng malaki pero kulang parin ito, kaya nga naisip mong mag abroad at imposibleng hindi mo nabasa sa contrata mo kung magkano sahud mo bago ka makaalis ng bansa. Ganun pa man marami paring mga Pilipino ang naloloko.

👉 I think hindi mo napapansing nakakapag libang ka din naman pag nag abroad ka at nakaka kita ng iba ibang tanawin at mga lugar na hindi familiar sayo.

👉 It’s a big goal na bago ka umuwi is I think siguradong marami kanang na-pondar na mga bagay o bahay sa inyo bago Kaman makaalis or mag exit, single man or may pamilya na.

👉 I think mahalaga din itong pag aabroad for local employment dahil kong pinaalis kaman ng companya niyo sa ibang bansa sigurado kang may lilipatan agad sa pinas dahil galing ka nga ng abroad at mas marami kang alam.

Isa din sa pinaka important is that you will learn their language and traditions na very useful when you go to other parts of the middle eastern continent.

Why we should save while abroad (Bakit kaylangan nating mag tabi habang nasa abroad)

500 AED United Arab Emerates

Isa sa mga dahilan ko para sakin ay isa itong mabuting gawain na dapat ay laging gawin anoman ang iyong trabaho, hindi hadlang ang maliit na suweldo kundi puwede rin itong halimbawa ng katatagan at challenge na puwede mong gamitin upang maging isang bagay na makakapag tulak sayo upang mag ipon 😑

Ang buhay abroad ay hindi madali, kung totoosin ay isa itong sakripisyu upang gumanda ang buhay nang iyong pamilya at mga magulang, lalo na kong may mga anak na nag-aaral na ng high school or kahit sa college ay talaga namang magastos at maraming kaylangan. Ganun paman ay hindi sana ito haldang upang hindi mag-ipon ng sariling pera na pinag hihirapan, sasabihin ko sa inyo ang mga halimbawa ng pag iipon upang sa ganun ay mag tagupay kayo hangang sa inyong huling kontrata 💪

➤ Isa ay ang literal na pagtitipid. 👼 pagtitipid na hindi yung gugutomin ang sarili kundi pag titipid na wag basta basta gagastos nang mga bagay ni di naman talaga kailangang bilhin o na interesan mo lang dahil bumili din ang iyong kasama o kaibigan. Kung sa pag kain naman ay hindi dapat pagdamotan ang sarili bibili lang nang pagkain na kaya mong ubusin.

➤ Maraming kaibigan na laging nasa labas o kaya naman ay laging pasyal ang alam lalo na kung weekends, wag mong pilitin ang sarili mo kung wala ka talagang mai-aambag sa pupuntahan ninyong mag kakaibigan, kung wala di wala talaga ano naman ang gagawin mo? kung ootang ka naman ay hindi rin naman matatawag na pagtitipid ang bagay na iyon. Ang payo ko sayo upang maka tipid sa biyahe kung may popontahan ay puwedeng ang inyong companya ay may sariling service for employee at malaking bawas sa gastos, kaysa naman mag hire ng taxi, you even accompanied to friends by joinng them in a taxi if your company does'nt have any service for on example, every one did that i know.

➤Tigilan mo na ang iyong bisyu, 😇 gawin ito nang maaga bago ma adict, hindi dahil adict kana at di mo na ito kayang tigilan bakit sino ba ang luluwag ang bulsa at mahihirapan kundi ikaw din kung hindi mo ito titigilan lalo na sa paninigarilyo at alak na puwedeng ikasira din nang iyong internal organs. Malala ang permisyu na maidodolot sayo ng paninigarilyo, I am not agiant's with you but nandito na rin naman tayo na binabasa mo ito, gawin mo nalang upang hindi kana gumastos sa sigarilyo (Healthy kana nakatipid kapa) 👌

Earnings for 100 days

➤ Mag budget ng tama 😛 hindi dahil subra ang iyong pera ay kung saan saan mo na ito gagamitin, itabi at gawing hobby ang pag iipon, pag dating ng sahuran at ikaw ay magpapadala may natabi ka sa kuarto mo o sa pitaka na puwede mong idagdag sa ipapadala.

➤ Minsan iwas isawan ang mga page sa facebook dahil nag kalat na ang mga offer doon offer diyan,🤑 lalo na kung mag sale ang market at mall na iyung laging pinopuntahan pag magpapadala sa remittance center 💸

➤ Laging tandaan na wag naman pagdamutan ang sarili kung talagang kailangan ang bagay na dapat mong bayaran or gamitin, pero ang sakin lang naman ay siguradohin mong tama ang iyong mga decision dahil ika nga nasa huli ang pagsisisi.

➤ Isa sa mga gustong gusto kong pag titipid ay ang pag iipok sa mga government investing market sectors na talaga namang makakatulong sa inyo pagdating nang araw na kailangan ninyo na itong gamitin, tulad ng SSS at PAG IBIG FUND 💚

➤ Wag kakalimutan na wag basta basta mag titiwala sa mga kaibigan kung kayo ay hinihikayat sa mga bagay bagay na puwede niyong pag gastusan nang malaki, even your brother they lied too how much more to your friends diba? 😷