Step 1: Introduction & Pre-Arrival

What is an Iqama?

The Iqama is the official national residency permit issued by the Ministry of Interior in Saudi Arabia. It serves a dual purpose: it verifies the holder's legal status to reside in the Kingdom and acts as a work authorization for foreign nationals.

While an entry visa allows you to cross the border, the Iqama enables daily life. Without a valid Iqama, expatriates cannot access essential services such as:

Opening a bank account.
Renting a property or setting up utilities.
Registering a SIM card.
Enrolling children in schools.
Traveling to other GCC countries (often via visa-on-arrival privileges).

Types of Iqama

The specific type of Iqama depends on the holder's role and sponsorship status:

Professional Class: For holders of university degrees (e.g., doctors, engineers).
Labor Class: For manual or skilled trade workers.
Business/Investor Iqama: For business owners, often requiring approval from the Ministry of Investment (MISA).
Dependent Iqama: For the spouse and children of a primary Iqama holder.
Domestic Worker Iqama: For household employees (e.g., drivers, nannies). Note: This category generally does not allow for sponsoring family visits.

Eligibility and Requirements

To qualify for an Iqama, the following criteria must generally be met:

Sponsorship: You must be sponsored by a Saudi employer or a licensed company.
Age: Recent regulations suggest an age range of 22 to 60 years for foreign workers to ensure experience and manage the local labor market.
Health: You must be free of infectious diseases, proven via medical certification.
Contract: A valid employment contract approved by the Ministry of Human Resources is mandatory.

Phase 1: Pre-Arrival (Employer Actions)

Quota & Visa Block: The employer applies to the Ministry of Labor for a "Block Visa" to secure a slot for a foreign hire.
Visa Authorization: The employer obtains a visa authorization number and grants Power of Attorney to a visa service provider (e.g., Tasheer) in the employee's home country.