3 Easy Steps To Change Iqama Profession In Saudi Arabia

3 Easy Steps To Change Iqama Profession In Saudi Arabia. Changing your Iqama profession in Saudi Arabia is a significant step for expatriates and employers alike. Whether you are an experienced professional, a skilled technician, or a new worker in the Kingdom, keeping your Iqama profession accurate is mandatory for compliance with Saudi laws and smooth work operations.

In this comprehensive guide, you will learn everything about how to change your Iqama profession easily, including requirements, eligibility, fees, step-by-step procedures, and FAQs ensuring you stay updated and fully compliant in 2025.

Your Iqama acts as your official identification and work permit in Saudi Arabia, displaying critical information like your name, date of birth, nationality, and profession. Any mismatch between your Iqama profession and your actual job can cause:

• Legal issues
• Fines
• Difficulty in job transfers or sponsorship changes
• Visa and travel problems

For example, if your Iqama mentions “Engineer” but you actually work as an “Accountant,” authorities may consider it a violation. To avoid penalties or restrictions, it is crucial to align your real job with the profession listed on your Iqama.

Depending on your current situation in Saudi Arabia, different eligibility rules apply for updating your Iqama profession:

Situation	Eligibility Requirements
Expats Already in Saudi Arabia	– Completed a minimum of 1 year with the previous employer – Have a documented, signed work contract – Registered on the QIWA platform – Resigned properly following notice period
New Expats to Saudi Arabia	– Must apply for a job through QIWA – Must comply with Wage Protection System – Must accept self-evaluation programs and documentation regulations

Special Cases Where Conditions Are Waived:

• Non-payment of salary for over 90 days.
• Employer missing for 90+ days.
• Expired Iqama.
• Employer blacklisted due to illegal activities (Tasattur).
• Labor court disputes where employer fails to attend hearings.

Before applying for a profession change, ensure you meet these important conditions:

• Residing inside Saudi Arabia.
• Attested educational degree matching the desired profession.
• Payment of the SR 1,000 profession change fee.
• Successful completion of the Saudi Professional Verification Exam (for skilled professions).
• Registration with professional bodies (if required):

Profession Type	Registration Body
Engineering	Saudi Council of Engineers
Accounting and Auditing	SOCPA (Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants)
Health Sector	Mumaris Plus
Veterinary	Ministry of Agriculture

The Iqama profession change process is now entirely online through the QIWA platform. Follow these three simple steps:

Step 1: Employer Requests the Profession Change

• The Government Relations Officer (GRO) of your company logs into the Qiwa portal.
• Selects “Occupation Change.”
• Inputs your employee details and chooses the new desired profession.
• Submits the request for processing.

At this point, the Qiwa system will show the status as Pending.

Step 2: Employee Acceptance

• As an employee, register on the QIWA platform.
• Access your personal account and view pending requests.
• Accept the profession change request to move the process forward.

Some professions such as doctors, engineers, and specialized experts may proceed without the employee’s approval.

Step 3: Ministry of Labor (MoL) Approval

• The Ministry of Labor will review the submission.
• Upon successful verification, the new profession will be approved.
• You can monitor status updates through Qiwa or the MOL website.

Absher is a government platform managed by the Ministry of Interior for expatriates and residents to manage personal and residency information, including the status of profession change requests. Among Absher’s responsibilities in the process of changing professions are:

• Status Checking: Expats can track the status of their application on Absher after an employer submits it on Qiwa.
• Iqama Update: When HRSD approves a profession change, Absher updates the individual’s Iqama to reflect the new job title. Renewal of work permits or processing exit/reentry visas depends on this update for legal compliance.
• Residency Management: Absher allows expatriates to manage residency details related to profession changes, including verifying the validity of the updated Iqama and processing any required fees or fines.

To make the profession change process accessible and efficient, HRSD, Qiwa, and Absher work in tandem. Expatriates and employers in Saudi Arabia benefit from the coordination, which ensures that all changes are legally documented, verified, and aligned with Saudi Arabia’s labor policies.

In some cases, a manual application might be necessary. Here’s what you need:

• Profession change request letter (signed by the employee)
• Copy of Iqama
• Company’s Commercial Registration (CR) copy
• Sponsor’s National ID

Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation SMS, after which the SR 1,000 fee must be paid, and the profession update will be reflected in the Muqeem system.

It is possible to change your profession without providing a certified degree under specific circumstances, such as:

• Shifting to labor or non-technical professions.
• Computer technicians moving to labor within 12 months after Saudi Council of Engineers registration.
• Accountants switching to labor after SOCPA registration.

The profession change system is still active in 2025! However, it operates under stricter conditions compared to previous years. Following proper steps is crucial for success.

Encountering a Qiwa Error?
If you face errors during application, immediately contact the Ministry of Labor or Qiwa support for resolution.

Domestic workers in Saudi Arabia must follow special rules for profession changes. Approval depends on:

• Completion of mandatory service periods
• Consent from current sponsors
• Meeting labor law regulations

Step 1: Degree Attestation (MOFA and Saudi Embassy)

• Ensure your degree matches the name and data on your Iqama.
• Get your degrees attested by your home country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Saudi Embassy.
• Employers should provide support letters to verify degrees.

Attestation can cost around SR 400 through agencies.

Step 2: Professional Registration

Field	Required Documents
Engineering	Degree, Iqama, Passport, Employment Letter, Resume, Photo
Accounting	Degree, Iqama, Passport, SOCPA registration, Resume, Photo

Upload all documents to the respective council’s website for approval.

Step 3: Payment of Profession Change Fee

• Pay the SR 1,000 fee.
• Generally, employers are responsible for this cost under Saudi Labor Law.

After the change is approved:

• Log into your Absher account.
• Navigate to the “Current Profession” section.
• If updated, the new profession will appear here.

• Unpaid traffic fines or criminal records.
• Insufficient balance on the Iqama.
• Huroob (absconding) status.
• Profession categorized under “domestic worker” without clearance.
• Sponsor violations or unpaid government fines.

Maintaining an accurate Iqama profession is crucial for legal compliance, career growth, and a secure future in Saudi Arabia. By carefully following the updated process through Qiwa, ensuring documentation is correct, and coordinating with your employer, you can easily complete the Iqama profession change.

Stay informed, avoid shortcuts, and always rely on official platforms and verified procedures for a smooth transition.