How to get a new Iqama in Saudi Arabia?

When you have arrived in Saudi Arabia on an employment visa or permanent family visa, the most important thing is getting your new Iqama. In this article, we have explained the new Iqama process, the processing time and how long it takes to get it for all expatriates living in Saudi Arabia.

It is the responsibility of the employer and right of an employee to get the Iqama within 90 days of arrival to Saudi Arabia.  

The employer will be taking care of all the expenses of your Iqama (Article 40.1 of the Saudi Labor Law). Whatever the case it is, you will have to go through the following procedure to get your first Iqama in Saudi Arabia.

If your Iqama is not issued within the first 90 days of your arrival, there will be a penalty which your employer will have to suffer. Moreover, it also gives you the right to transfer your sponsorship without the consent of your sponsor.

1. Medical requirements for the new Saudi Iqama
   • Medical requirements for the new Saudi Iqama
   • Expatriates with Engineering and Accountancy
   • Health Insurance for the New Iqama
   • What is the Iqama processing time in Saudi Arabia?
   • How to get a new Iqama for Dependents?
   • Collection of the New Iqama

The first step in the process to get a new iqama in Saudi Arabia is to go to the approved medical center in the region from where your Kafeel belongs. We have provided a region-wise list of approved medical centers.

You can pick the report from them as documentary proof after two days of the test. However, it is directly sent to the Ministry of Interior online Database.

You will have to visit an approved medical center along with your original passport. Although you have already been medically tested before coming to Saudi Arabia, but Saudi authorities test you again.

Fee for the medical test for Iqama in Saudi Arabia is SR 200 per Test for the first time for issuance of Iqama as well as the renewal of Iqama (for some nationalities) includes HIV/AIDS test, TB Xray, eyesight, and hearing test, a test for cholera (a charming stool sample test).

Since it is a stool test, so you need to be ready for this. I had to face the problem in passing the stool at the examination center because I did not know about it. Lab Report will be sent to the MOI in this form.

You can have a better idea about the medical test after reading this form. A regular visitor of our blog Mr. Misbah has added this information that Kids do not have to go through the medical test to apply for the first Iqama.

The doctor will just make a pediatric checkup and measure height and weight. There is no need for medical test or vaccination certificates. Now you can check Status of Medical Test Report for Saudi Iqama Online through this link.

1. Expatriates with Engineering and Accountancy

The next requirement in the iqama process of Saudi Arabia is getting yourself registered with a professional body if your profession on the visa requires it.

If your profession on the visa is Engineering or Accountancy, you will have to register yourself with the Saudi Council of Engineering and Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants (SOCPA) before applying for the iqama for the first time in Saudi Arabia.

Once you are done with the above two steps, you need to submit your passport and 2 passports sized photographs to your employer. He will apply for your health insurance as it is required for the processing of the first Iqama.

1. Health Insurance for the New Iqama

The next requirement in the iqama process of Saudi Arabia is getting health insurance which is once again, the responsibility of your Kafeel.

Health Insurance is issued on the basis of Border Number which is written by hand on your passport at the time of entrance to Saudi Arabia for the first time by the immigration officer.

Fee for the issuance of the first iqama is SR 500 plus SR 150 for HRD. An employer may also have to pay SR 2,400 per employee for the issuance of iqama.

1. What is the Iqama processing time in Saudi Arabia?

Many people have confusion about the iqama processing time and they want to know how long does it take to get Iqama in Saudi Arabia. Well, with the online system launched by the Jawazat, now the iqama processing time has reduced to only one day.

If your company is in the green category of Nitaqat, it will not take much longer to get an Iqama in Saudi Arabia as the iqama processing time is only one day.

1. How to get a new Iqama for Dependents?

If you are applying for the first Iqama for your dependents, there is no need to deposit any fee.  Just go to the Jawazat with all above original documents plus photocopies and health insurance issued on the basis of border number and they will issue you iqamas for your dependents.

1. Collection of the New Iqama

When you receive your Iqama for the first time in Saudi Arabia, make sure that the name in English is coinciding with the name in Arabic. Secondly, the spelling of the name on the passport is the same as on the Iqama.

If any of these details are inaccurate, you should return back your Iqama immediately for the rectification. If you are working in some company, do not receive your Iqama unless mistakes are rectified.