Is it Legal to Arrest a Saudi Expat with an Expired Iqama?

In Saudi Arabia, having an expired iqama or residency permit is not a valid reason for arrest, according to legal insights provided by Saudi lawyer Zyad Al Shalan. The lawyer emphasized that once an iqama expires, a police officer is not authorized to detain a resident expatriate solely for this reason.

Renewal and Consequences

Al Shalan highlighted that failing to renew an iqama by the due date results in a fine. However, he underscored that arrest is only permissible if there are additional reasons beyond the document's expiration.

Fines for Late Resident ID Acquisition

For those relocating to Saudi Arabia, the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) mandates obtaining a resident ID within 90 days. Failure to do so incurs a fine of 500 riyals.

Iqama Application Process

To secure a resident ID, expatriates must undergo a medical test and pay the required fees through government platforms such as Absher or the Muqeem portal. The residency permit is initially granted for three months and can be renewed accordingly. Notably, starting in 2021, expatriates can store a digital copy of their iqama on their smartphones.

Dependent Fees and Payment Options

With iqama renewal every three months, expatriates are also obligated to pay dependent fees for their family members residing in the Kingdom. Payment options for iqama fees include every three months, every six months, or annually, adhering to government payment methods.

Foreign Workforce in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, home to approximately 32.2 million people, relies significantly on foreign workers. A recent census report disclosed that 41.5% of the total population, about 13.4 million people, are expatriates.

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