Issuance of Resident Identity (Iqama)

The Residency Issuance Service - Business is an online service via Absher Business platform enabling establishment owners and companies to electronically issue new resident identity (Iqama) for expatriate workers instantly without visiting passport offices. It is used after recruiting or entry of a worker on a work visa to issue the official residency document proving legal residence and linking the worker to the employer (sponsor) for its validity period.

The process requires registering worker and dependents' fingerprint and photo at approved centers, completing and passing medical examination at certified facilities, securing valid health insurance for worker and family, issuing work permit from Qiwa platform after paying fees (SAR 100), then paying residency issuance fees via bank (SAR 650 for passports using border number from visa).

After meeting requirements, the establishment owner logs into Absher Business with ID, password, and verification code, selects 'My Business Services' then 'Issue Residency,' worker's name appears automatically, enters accurate passport data (birthplace, passport issuance place, country, city, marital status, validity period 1-5 years), reviews terms, then presses 'Issue Residency.' The Iqama issues instantly after final review, with optional delivery via Saudi Post in 3-5 working days.

Importance of the Residency Issuance Service – Business

Enables establishments to issue residencies electronically and instantly without passport office visits, saving time and effort.
Legalizes the expatriate worker's status and formally links them to the employer for the residency period.
Ensures all health and security requirements (medical exam, fingerprint, insurance) are met before issuance.
Accelerates hiring procedures by allowing immediate residency issuance post-entry into Saudi Arabia.
Offers postal delivery option, facilitating document receipt without personal collection.

Challenges related to the Residency Issuance Service – Business

Requires multiple advance fee payments (work permit, residency fees, insurance), raising total cost.
Medical exam and fingerprint must be completed at approved centers, potentially time-consuming in smaller cities.
Any error in passport data entry (birthplace/issuance location, name) may result in rejection or incorrect residency.
Worker must not be registered as absconded and any traffic violations must be cleared before issuance.hobasha​
Postal delivery takes 3-5 days, potentially delaying other procedures requiring physical Iqama.absher​