Why the plastic Muqeem card has no printed expiry date
In 2015, the Saudi Directorate General of Passports (Jawazat) replaced the traditional annual green Iqama booklet with a standardized biometric 'Muqeem card' designed to remain physically valid for five continuous years.
Unlike old residence permits, the physical Muqeem card deliberately omits a printed Gregorian or Hijri expiration date. Instead, it displays only the card issuance date alongside the resident's name, nationality, profession, employer establishment number, and 10-digit Iqama number.
This reform eliminated the need for companies and residents to print, ship, and collect new plastic cards every twelve months, transitioning all renewal checks to real-time electronic databases.
Annual digital renewal: Qiwa work permits and Absher fees
A common and costly misconception among newly arrived expatriates is assuming that a 5-year card implies a 5-year waiver of residency renewal fees. In reality, the legal right to reside in Saudi Arabia remains an annual digital entitlement.
Every 12 months (or every 3, 6, or 9 months under the flexible renewal scheme), your employer must complete the dual renewal process:
1. Qiwa Work Permit (Karat Al-Amal): The establishment pays the financial levy (Maktab Amal fee, approximately SAR 9,600 annually per expat in majority-foreign firms) and renews the work permit electronically.
2. Jawazat Residency Fee: Once the work permit is activated and valid Council of Health Insurance (CHI) medical coverage is verified, the SAR 650 annual Jawazat residency fee is paid via Sadad, and the Iqama is renewed on Absher Business or Muqeem portal.
Step-by-step: checking your digital validity on Absher and Tawakkalna
Because your plastic card bears no expiry date, banks, traffic police, landlords, and airport immigration rely exclusively on live government database status. Always verify your active digital validity using official channels:
- 1
Log into Absher Individuals or Absher App
Sign in with your national ID / Iqama number and two-factor SMS code, navigate to 'My Services' > 'Inquiries' > 'Passports' > 'Query Iqama Expiry Service'.
- 2
Review Hijri and Gregorian expiry dates
The portal will display your exact digital expiration date. Ensure this date is at least 30 to 60 days in the future before travelling abroad.
- 3
Activate your Digital Iqama on Tawakkalna Services
Open Tawakkalna Services or Absher Individuals app on your smartphone, open the 'Digital Documents' wallet, and verify your live QR-coded Digital Iqama. This serves as legally binding proof of identity within the Kingdom even if you leave your physical card at home.
Grace periods, late renewal penalties, and bank account freezes
Under Jawazat regulations, an expatriate has a grace period of exactly 3 calendar days following the digital expiration date to renew without sanction.
If the Iqama is not renewed by the 4th day:
1. First offense: A SAR 500 administrative fine is automatically assessed on the Sadad billing account.
2. Second offense: A SAR 1,000 fine is levied for a subsequent delayed renewal.
3. Third offense: The expatriate faces potential deportation and an entry ban under Article 55 of the Residency Law.
Furthermore, Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) compliance rules require local banks to temporarily restrict debit card and electronic transfer access immediately upon Iqama digital expiration, although funds remain secure in the account until updated via bank app or branch.
When do you actually need to replace the physical card?
You only need to visit Jawazat or request a replacement plastic card through Absher postal delivery (Wasel) in four specific circumstances:
1. Reaching the full 5th year from the card's original issue date.
2. Changing employers (Kafala transfer), which requires updating the printed sponsor name.
3. Changing job profession following HRSD qualification verification.
4. Loss, theft, or physical damage to the magnetic strip or biometric chip. A standard SAR 500 fee applies for replacing a lost Muqeem card.