How to Check Your Iqama Status and Validity in Saudi Arabia (Absher & Muqeem)
Date Published
Your Iqama (residence permit) is the single most important document for any expatriate living and working in Saudi Arabia. It proves your legal residency, is linked to your employer, and must be kept valid at all times. This guide explains what the Iqama is, how to check its status and expiry online, and what to do when it needs renewing.
What is an Iqama?
The Iqama is the official residence permit issued to foreign workers and their dependents by the Saudi authorities (the General Directorate of Passports, or Jawazat). It records your name, Iqama number, profession, sponsor (employer) and expiry date, and is needed for everyday life in the Kingdom — from receiving a salary and opening a bank account to renting a home and travelling.
Why checking your Iqama status matters
An expired or invalid Iqama can lead to fines and problems with work, banking, travel and government services. Checking regularly lets you confirm the expiry date, make sure your employer has renewed it on time, and catch issues early — such as an incorrect profession or a "Huroob" (absconding) flag.
How to check your Iqama status online
1. Absher (absher.sa)
Absher is the Saudi Ministry of Interior’s main e-services platform. Register with your Iqama number and a Saudi mobile number, log in, and open your services to view your Iqama details, including the expiry date and current status. The Absher mobile app shows the same information.
2. The Muqeem portal (muqeem.sa)
Muqeem is widely used to verify Iqama validity. Enter your Iqama number and date of birth (or passport number) to check whether the Iqama is valid and see its expiry date. Employers also use Muqeem to manage and renew their workers’ Iqamas.
3. MOI e-services and the Tawakkalna app
The Ministry of Interior website (moi.gov.sa) and the Tawakkalna app also display your residency information and expiry. Any of these official channels will give you the same core details — use whichever you have access to.
Understanding your Iqama status
A "valid" status with a future expiry date means your residency is in order. If the status shows expired, the Iqama must be renewed. A "Huroob" (absconding) status means your employer has reported you as having left work without authorisation — this is serious and should be resolved immediately with your employer and the authorities.
Iqama renewal — whose responsibility?
Under Saudi labour rules, renewing the Iqama is the employer’s (sponsor’s) responsibility, and the associated government fees are paid by the employer, not the worker. Renewal should be completed before the Iqama expires, as late renewal can attract penalties. If your Iqama is close to expiry, raise it with your employer’s PRO or HR department in good time.
How Falisha Manpower helps
Falisha Manpower is a BEOE-licensed Overseas Employment Promoter (OEP No. 4035). We source, screen and mobilise Pakistani workers for reputable Gulf employers and guide every candidate through documentation, medicals, visa processing and travel — and brief them on their rights and responsibilities before and after deployment.
Protect yourself from fraud
Deal only with BEOE-licensed overseas-employment promoters, and never pay unlawful fees or hand documents to unverified agents. In line with BEOE rules, licensed promoters in Pakistan do not charge workers illegal fees. If an offer looks too good to be true, verify it through official channels first.