Jawazathas clarified over social media (twitter) about the vailidity of the passport while renewing Iqama for an expatriate. One of an Expat has asked a query on Twitter “Is Iqama renewal allowed, incase of passport expiry?“

Jawazat responded to the query that the passport must be valid in order to renew iqama for an expatriste in Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, a period of 3 to 6 months were given to expat to incase of passport expiry to renew Iqama (residency permit)

Renewing your Iqama in case of an expired passport can be a complicated process, but following the above steps will ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience. Make sure to plan ahead and be aware of the necessary procedures to avoid any delays or difficulties

Please renw your passport before it get expired.

Earlier, Expatriates had to pay for the entire year but now expats can renew their Iqama on a quarterly basis.

Iqama Issuance & Renewal Quarterly payments

The New service of issuing & renewal of Iqama con quarterly basis have started, which will helps expats financially of paying for Iqama renewal every 3 months, instead of 12 months (year)

This is in cooperation with the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA), represented by the National Information Center and this step is in implementation of a recent decision of the Council of Ministers to allow the issuance and renewal of iqama linked to work permit for a minimum period of three months.

However, there is an exemption of this for domestic workers and the same.

Using the new procedure employers will be allowed to renew residence permits (Iqama), work permits for 3 months, 6 months, 9 months & 12 months as per the employer’s need.

Jawazat in KSA has stated that online Services for issuing and Renewing Iqama on quarterly basis are available on Absher individual, Muqeem & Qiwa platforms for expatriates ease.

Even the banks in Saudi Arabia have started updating the government payment system for 3 months for Iqama issuance & renewals

Even Expatriates can make quarterly payment dependent fees for their dependents, when they renew their iqama on quarterly basis. The monthly fee for dependents is amounted to SR400 each.

This  visa extension is  applicable  to the residents of the countries that are on the red list. The red list countries faces the travel ban due to Corona and its variants prevalence in those countries. The visas of these countries expats will be automatically extended immediately.

The  expats who are stranded in Kingdom will also be extended till July 7 2021.

The government of Saudi Arabia is making its best efforts to reduce the burden on citizens and the expats living in the kingdom. The visa extension by the Saudi government has provided great relief for the expats stranded abroad and in the kingdom.

Many of them are facing very hard time due to the challenges brought by the frequent lockdowns in their countries due to Covid-19.The visa extension for the Saudi expats in the kingdom has shown the  concern and soft corner  Sheikh Salman has for the expatriates.

There are 13 countries that are on the Red list of Saudi Ministry of Interior.

The red list countries are as follows.

Syria, Yemen, Iran, Libya, Lebanon, Turkey, Somalia, Afghanistan, Armenia, Venezuela, Democratic Republic of Congo ,Belarus & India.

Read Also:

https://saudiexpatriate.com/saudi-entertainment-tourism-sectors-are-unfathomable-opportunities/

HIV Test is made madnate before any Iqama Renewal. HIV test is done to detect if any HIV virus has infeted your body which causes AIDS. Most of the people come to Visit Saudi from African countries who have a high rate of HIV infections compared to other countries.

Its now complusary to do a HIV Test before Iqama renewal as per Madina Newspapers.

Expatriates who are from the below 10 countries Living in Saudi Arabia must have go for their health check-up and HIV blood testing before their Iqama renewal.

• Sudan
• Ethopia
• Nepal
• Nigeria
• Vietnam
• Kenya
• Somalia
• Thailand
• Dijbouti
• Eritrea

Th Ministry of Health in Sauid Arabia have also made a mandate to have Hepatitis Vaccine for all the Domestic Expat Workers such as Baby Sitters, Barbers, Drivers, Socail Care, Diagnostic Staff, Medical & Health department Employees.

If you’ve handed over your Old Iqama to your Sponsor, you must take a letter from your sponsor that your Iqama is in renewal process untill you get your new Iqama

Here are the best practices to keep in mind before Iqama renewal:

• Iqama must be renewed 3 days before it gets expired
• Check Nitaqat Status of your company to see in which color is your company is in.
• Medical Tests need to be done for Expatriates from few Asian & African Countries listed below

Related Article: Steps to Renew Iqama

Asian Countries:
Thailand
Nepal
Vietnam

African Countries:
Kenya
Somalia
Djibouti
Nigeria
Sudan
Ethiopia
Eritrea

– Your Sponsor will have to pay the Iqama Renewal Fee of 650 SAR, if your company has more than 50% Expatriates then
the labor fee for Iqama reneqal will be 2400 SAR

Note: The New Muqeem Card will be having a validity of 5 years.

Government of Saudi Arabia have launched online services which will help expatriates to do Iqama Renewal Online.

Best Practices before Iqama Renewal

Though Iqama can also be renewed manually through the old process, but it can also be done online now with the help
of Absher account. Your Sponsor can just login to Absher account and renew Iqama of all his dependent employees
after paying the renewal amount fee

Benefits of having Iqama are listed here.

Here are the steps to Renew your Iqama in an easy Way for your Sponsor:

• He will need to visit the Official website of MOI
• After logging in, Click Renew Iqama of Employee or his dependents.
• Your Iqama wil get reasy in 2 days, then your Sponsor will take the Old Iqama from you and give a new Iqama

Please take a letter from your Sponsor before handing your Iqama to him, so that if you don’t have your Iqama you can show this letter to police or government officials that your Iqama is in renewal process.

Good Luck!