What is an iqama?
An iqama is the residence permit, with its own ID number, that a foreigner living in Saudi Arabia holds; most government e-services ask for it.
Published by RAED ALI ALJOHANI COMPANY FOR Lawyership and Legal Consultations · Last updated
General information about Saudi law — not advice on your situation.
At a glance
- In Arabic
- إقامة
- Said as
- iqāma (ee-KAA-ma). Also spelt iqamah.
- Official channel
- Absher, the Ministry of Interior’s e-services platform. Employers use Muqeem.
- Can you use it from abroad?
- Only people who live in Saudi Arabia hold one. If you have none, a lawyer can usually act for you with a power of attorney.
If a case, a travel ban or a claim is linked to your residency, tell us briefly what happened and where you are now.
Why does an iqama matter if you are a foreigner?
If you live in Saudi Arabia, your iqama number is how most government e-services know who you are. Residents usually use it to set up Nafath, the Saudi government’s login app. Nafath then approves sign-ins to Najiz, the Ministry of Justice’s platform for cases, and to most other government platforms. Without an iqama or a Saudi ID, these platforms are usually out of reach.
Records under your name also matter. An open case, a travel ban or an enforcement file can affect residency services, such as renewals and job changes. So can an absent-from-work report (once called huroob), which an employer can make when a worker is absent without a valid reason.
Where will you meet the iqama?
You will meet it whenever a Saudi platform or office needs to confirm who you are. Many ID and visa services for residents run on Absher, the Ministry of Interior’s online platform. These pages show where foreigners meet the iqama most:
Residents sign in to Absher and Najiz with accounts linked to their iqama.
How to check for a travel ban or an open case in Saudi ArabiaResidents apply on the platform with their iqama number.
Buying property in Saudi Arabia step by step on the official platformThis page is for workers who no longer live in Saudi Arabia.
Claiming end-of-service pay and unpaid salary after you’ve left Saudi ArabiaThis page explains what such a report means for your residency.
Absent-from-work (huroob) reports explainedComing soon
Can you deal with an iqama matter from outside Saudi Arabia?
Often, yes, through a Saudi lawyer. Only people who live in Saudi Arabia hold an iqama. If you have left, you may no longer be able to sign in to services linked to it.
If you have no iqama, or can no longer sign in, a lawyer can usually act for you with a power of attorney. This is a signed document that lets someone act in your name. You can usually sign it in your own country, without travelling. Our page on power of attorney for Saudi Arabia, signed abroad explains each step.
Never share your Absher or Nafath login, or the codes sent to your phone, with anyone.
Frequently asked questions
Can I renew my iqama or change jobs during a travel ban?
It depends on what is open under your name, so find that out first. A travel ban is usually linked to an enforcement file, an open case or an investigation, and each needs its own steps. A lawyer can check what is open and explain which steps apply to your iqama or a job change. See how travel bans end.
What is the difference between a work visa and an iqama?
They are different things. The iqama is the residence permit, and its ID number, held by a non-Saudi living in Saudi Arabia, and most government e-services ask for it. A visa is a separate permission: for example, a resident needs an exit and re-entry visa to leave and come back while the iqama remains valid. Absher handles many ID and visa services.
How can I check my iqama status?
If you live in Saudi Arabia, you can usually check it on Absher, the Ministry of Interior’s platform for IDs, visas and some status enquiries. Your employer manages your residency on Muqeem, the Ministry of Interior platform for employers. If you have left, a lawyer can often check for a travel ban or a case for you with a power of attorney. Never share your Absher login with anyone.
Official sources
This page draws on 2 official sources. Each line shows who publishes it, its language and, where recorded, the date we last checked it.
- Ministry of Interior · Absher (Ministry of Interior e-services) Pending verification
- Ministry of Interior · Muqeem Portal (in Arabic and English) · checked
General information about Saudi law, not advice on your situation. Contacting us does not create a lawyer–client relationship until an engagement letter is signed.