Iqama In Saudi Arabia Application Process and Complete Guide

Iqama in Saudi Arabia Application Process and Complete Guide. Saudi Arabia has long provided attractive incentives to foreign investors, which has resulted in the vast majority of its inhabitants being foreigners.

Saudi Arabia employs 78% foreigners. Iqamas manages these foreign hires in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Getting to know the Saudi Arabia iqama is essential.

Read Also: Iqama Validity Check in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabian government issues the iqama, which is a residence permit, to foreigners hired on an employment visa who are eligible to reside in the country for a short period of time.

Immigration and labor policies are strictly regulated by the Saudi Arabian government. A local employer must act as a sponsor and apply for the worker’s iqama and work permit. Due to the fact that a local employer is vouching for the foreigner, this helps support that foreigner’s position and gives credibility to that foreigner.

Saudi Arabian citizens can apply for an Iqama by following these steps: 

• Step 1: Getting a job in Saudi Arabia
• Step 2: Make sure you get a medical checkup
• Step 3: Visa Reference Numbers
• Step 4: Visas are required to enter the country
• Step 5: Biometric data should be provided
• Step 6: You must wait for your Iqama to be issued

A valid passport, a clean bill of health, financial statements showing you are solvent, and no criminal record are additional requirements. 

• Applying for an Iqama: Iqama applications can be submitted online using the e-service. The service can be accessed via mobile apps, the portal, or by phone. 
• Iqama costs: Iqama renewal or issuance costs around 650 Saudi Riyals (SAR). 

A Saudi company or a foreign entity licensed to do business in the country must sponsor an expat’s visa before they can live and work there. Each foreign employee must apply for and obtain a work permit and Iqama from the employer.

Following are the steps to obtain a Saudi Arabian Iqama visa:

Apply for Block Visa

Block Visa approval must first be obtained from the Ministry of Labor and Social Development by the sponsoring employer. These are quotas issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development that allow local employers to sponsor foreign hires for long-term positions. There are several factors that determine whether they will be granted, including:

• Applicants’ nationality
• Applicants’ country of origin
• Job duties in detail

Visa Authorization and Power of Attorney

A sponsoring employer must request a visa authorization number and power of attorney from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in order to apply for a work visa on behalf of its workers after receiving approval.

Work Visa Application

The employer then applies for a work visa. Medical examinations and medical certificates must accompany the application for employment.

Enter and Start Working in Saudi Arabia

Work visas are approved once an employee enters Saudi Arabia and begins to work.

Work Permit and Iqama Application

Work permit and iqama applications must be submitted to the Ministry of Labor and Social Development within 90 days of the worker’s arrival. The Ministry of Labor and Social Development will also require an exit and re-entry permit if an employee needs to leave the country during the period of their iqama.

Saudi Arabian law stipulates that foreign hires may only be employed for a fixed period based on their iqama and work permit. Private sector employees can only have a work visa that lasts for one year, but it may be possible to extend it.

The local employer is responsible for all fees associated with obtaining the iqama and work permit. A company may also be required to pay repatriation ticket fees if the sponsored employee leaves.

There is an expat levy imposed by the Saudi Arabian government on foreign residents, but this fee is paid by either the employee or the employer, according to the contract terms. The expat levy is set at SAR 800 per month, per worker, and SAR 400 per month, per dependent, as of July 1, 2020. Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the country’s economy, support smaller businesses, and provide opportunities for citizens, may have motivated this fee.

Iqama issuance or renewal fee	SAR 650 Anually
Work permit fee	SAR 800 Monthly
Sponsored dependent fee	SAR 400 Monthly per dependent

Horizons provides comprehensive services to help foreign businesses expand to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other countries. All aspects of obtaining a Block Visa, work permit, and Saudi Arabian Iqama can be handled by us.

Additionally, our business solutions include payroll outsourcing, company formation, and PEO and Employer of Record services to assist you with your expansion, as well as immigration services.

You can launch a local workforce through our flexible business solutions without committing to investment and resources associated with setting up a separate entity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Before moving forward, you can test the market and see how your business is received.

Get to know Horizons and how we can help by contacting us online.

Saudi Arabian Iqama is a required document for foreign workers wishing to work in the Kingdom, ensuring their legal residency and employment status.
The application process includes employer sponsorship, medical checks, and government approvals. Expatriates can navigate Saudi Arabia’s immigration system smoothly by understanding the associated costs and requirements.