Iqama Expiry Date Check Online (2026)
Knowing your Iqama expiry date is one of the most important things you can stay on top of as an expatriate in Saudi Arabia. An expired residence permit can mean fines, blocked services and travel problems, yet the renewal is usually handled by your employer, so it is easy to lose track. This guide shows you every official way to check your Iqama expiry date online, for free, in minutes, and explains how to read the date correctly so you never get caught out.
The fastest way to check your Iqama expiry date is through the Absher portal (absher.sa) or the Absher app: log in, open 'My Services', and your Iqama details appear with the expiry date. If you do not have an Absher account, you can check using your Iqama number on the Ministry of Interior (MOI) portal or the Qiwa labor platform. All of these services are free, and most show the date in both the Hijri and Gregorian calendars.
Why checking your Iqama expiry date matters
Your Iqama is your legal proof of residence in Saudi Arabia. Almost everything in daily life depends on it being valid: keeping your job, renewing your driving licence, opening or keeping a bank account, getting a phone line, sponsoring family members, and travelling in and out of the country.
If your Iqama expires, even by accident, you and your sponsor can face fines, and an extended lapse can create serious legal problems. Because the renewal is usually handled by your employer, it is easy to assume it has been done when it has not. Checking the expiry date yourself, a few weeks before it is due, is the single best habit to avoid trouble.
How to check your Iqama expiry date: 4 official methods
There are four official ways to check your Iqama validity online. Use whichever matches your situation. If you manage your own Absher account, that is the most complete option. If your employer controls your account, use the MOI or Qiwa public inquiry instead.
Via Absher
Absher is the main government portal for residents and citizens.
- Go to the Absher portal at absher.sa and log in with your username and password, or register through the Nafath app.
- Open the 'My Services' section and choose 'Services'.
- Select 'Reports' and then 'Documents' (or 'Alien Control').
- Your Iqama details, including the expiry date, will be displayed on screen.
Via MOI (Ministry of Interior)
MOI (Ministry of Interior) is the Ministry of Interior e-services portal.
- Open the MOI e-services portal at moi.gov.sa.
- Switch the language to English from the top menu if needed.
- Go to 'E-Services' and then the 'Passports' (Jawazat) services.
- Choose the query service, enter your Iqama number and the verification code, then submit.
Via MOL / Qiwa
MOL / Qiwa is the labor ministry platform, useful when you do not have an Absher account.
- Go to the labor inquiry service on Qiwa (Ministry of Human Resources).
- Select the service to validate worker or Iqama information.
- Enter your Iqama number and your date of birth (Hijri or Gregorian).
- Enter the captcha code and submit to view your Iqama status.
Via Muqeem
Muqeem is the platform used by establishments and sponsors.
- Visit the Muqeem platform at muqeem.sa.
- Log in, or use the public inquiry option if your sponsor has enabled it.
- Enter your Iqama number, and if asked, your passport number, date of birth or expiry date.
- Submit the form to see your Iqama validity and status.
Understanding your expiry date: Hijri vs Gregorian
This is the part that confuses most expatriates, and getting it wrong is how people accidentally let their Iqama lapse. The expiry date on your Iqama is set in the Hijri calendar, the Islamic lunar calendar used officially in Saudi Arabia. The Hijri year is roughly 354 days, about 11 days shorter than the 365-day Gregorian year you are used to.
In practice this means two things. First, your Iqama 'anniversary' drifts earlier by around 11 days each Gregorian year. Second, when a portal shows you a Hijri expiry date, you need to convert it to know the real Gregorian deadline. Most official portals, including Absher, now display both dates, but if you only see the Hijri date, use an official Hijri-to-Gregorian converter rather than guessing.
The safe rule: never rely on a rough mental estimate. Read the exact date from the portal, note both calendars, and set a reminder a month before the Gregorian date.
Convert your Iqama date instantly
If your Iqama shows a Hijri expiry date and you want the real Gregorian deadline, use our free converter.
Open the Hijri to Gregorian converterWhat you need before you start
- Your Iqama number (a 10-digit number starting with 2, found on your Iqama card).
- For Absher: your registered username and password, or the Nafath app for login approval.
- For some portals: your date of birth, which can be requested in Hijri or Gregorian.
- A stable internet connection. The portals work from inside and outside Saudi Arabia.
What to do if your Iqama is about to expire
If your check shows the expiry date is close, the renewal is normally your employer's responsibility. Contact your HR or sponsor in writing and confirm they have scheduled the renewal. Renewal requires the labor levy and Iqama fee to be paid, after which the new validity appears on your record.
If your employer is slow or unresponsive, keep a written record of your reminders. An expired Iqama exposes you to fines and complications, so it is worth being persistent and following up early.
What happens if your Iqama expires
An expired Iqama is taken seriously in Saudi Arabia. There is normally a fine for the first lapse, and repeated or prolonged expiry can lead to higher penalties and further consequences. You may also be unable to complete other services, such as renewing your driving licence or travelling, until the Iqama is valid again.
Because the exact penalties can change, treat any expiry as urgent and resolve it with your sponsor immediately rather than waiting.
Common problems and how to fix them
The portal says 'no information found'
Double-check you entered the Iqama number correctly, with no spaces. If it is brand new, your record may not be active yet; try the Muqeem or border-number method instead.
I cannot log in to Absher
If your account is managed by your employer, you may not have personal credentials. Use the MOI or Qiwa public inquiry, which only need your Iqama number.
The site is only showing Arabic
Look for a language switch (often 'English' or 'EN') in the top corner of the page. If there is none, your browser's translate feature can help you navigate the fields.
Is your Iqama about to expire?
Find out exactly how much renewal costs and what steps to follow before the expiry date.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Iqama expiry date different from what I expected?
Iqama dates are issued in the Hijri (Islamic lunar) calendar, which is about 11 days shorter per year than the Gregorian calendar. When converted to the Gregorian date you use day to day, the expiry can fall earlier than you assumed. Always confirm both dates.
How early should I check before expiry?
Check at least three to four weeks before the expiry date. This gives your employer time to pay the fees and complete the renewal before the deadline, and gives you time to follow up if nothing has happened.
My Iqama shows expired but my employer says it is renewed. What now?
There can be a short delay between payment and the system updating. Ask your employer for the payment receipt (SADAD), wait 24 hours, and check again. If it still shows expired, the renewal may not have gone through.
Can I check this for free?
Yes. Checking your status through the official government portals is free of charge. You only pay when you carry out a paid transaction such as a renewal.
Do I need an Absher account?
Not always. While Absher is the most complete option, several checks also work through the MOI and labor ministry portals without a personal Absher login.
What details do I need?
Usually your Iqama number is enough. Some portals also let you search using your passport number, border number, date of birth or other details.