How to Verify Your Iqama and Avoid the MOI’s Latest Weekly Sweeps?

Saudi Arabia has stepped up the nation-wide crackdowns on violations of residency, labor and border laws. During the coordinated actions by the Ministry of Interior between 2nd and 8th July 2026, 15,430 persons were arrested throughout the Kingdom. The latest campaign covers the ongoing government’s endeavor to boost labour market compliance and boost up the security-of-border in the realization of Vision 2030.

Ensuring Iqama (residential permit) validity for expatriates residing and working in Saudi Arabia is more than ever. Residents and visitors often do not have a firm understanding of how to determine their residency status, nor do they possess an understanding of the Saudi laws, and both of these can lead to a host of legal issues, fines, detention or deportation.

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Why Is the MOI Conducting Weekly Enforcement Campaigns?

The Ministry of Interior carries out regular inspections to make sure that all expatriates and employers are in accordance with Saudi residency and labor laws. These areas of operations include the expired licenses to stay, non-registered employment, illegal border crossings and unregistered sponsorship arrangements.

The latest campaign made 7,913 arrests for residency violations, 3,480 for violations of the labor law, and 4,037 for border security violations, highlighting the wide range of the enforcement measures implemented.

How to Verify Your Iqama Status?

All expatriates are advised to always check the validity of their Iqama on the government website (e-government) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The simpler way simply logoff your Absher account or other approved services of the Ministry of Interior online. Users can watch the validity of their Iqama or when it expires, whether they are employed or not, and further information on their residency status using these platforms.

To be on the safe side, it’s best to double-check the information about your residency well before your deadline.

Keep Your Employment Information Updated

Failing to receive accurate employment records along with an active and valid Iqama, is not enough.

Familiarize foreign workers that they will be hired by their registered foreign worker’s sponsor only and in accordance with their approved foreign worker’s work permit. Insufficient authorization or employment with a different work provider may result in violations of labour law and legal action as part of inspections.

Monitor Your Visa and Residency Expiry Dates

A very frequent grounds for detention is because of an expiring residency paperwork. Getting a head start on the renewal process before it nears expiration is a great idea, especially for both the employer and employee joining forces. 

It is very easy for a worker to fall under the radar of Saudi residency requirements after Iqama expiration due to the lack of process, potentially resulting in a violation.Iqama expiry can be a harbinger of danger if a worker’s status becomes violated as a result of the lack of process. 

Avoid Activities That Violate Saudi Regulations

Do not engage in activities that conflict with Saudi Regulations. Accommodation, transportation or employment of illegal human beings in the Kingdom is a dire legal proceeding. The Ministry of Interior says they can be sentenced to a maximum of 15 years in prison, fines up to a maximum of SAR 1 million, giving them the power to confiscate vehicles or property used in an offence.

Current Deportation Process

A law project has been undertaken with the involvement of over 29,000 expatriates after recent inspections. Authorities have already contacted thousands of people, asking them to apply for travel documents on their own at the embassies and have already succeeded in repatriating 11,800 of those they have contacted. 

These volumes are testament to the government’s unrelenting efforts to rigorously implement strictures on immigration and employment all around the Kingdom.

Tips to Stay Compliant

In order to ensure that expatriates do not encounter difficulties in the event of a routine inspection, they should regularly check the status of their Iqama in order, have valid employment contracts, renew the residency before they expire, and hold identification if it is required.

Employers must also make sure all their employees are registered and that employers’ information is kept current from the official records.

FAQs

How to check Raqeeb in the country of Saudi Arabia?

Residency status and Absher validity can be verified by logging into one’s official Absher account or through any other online recognized MOH service which indicates one’s residency status and Absher validity.

What’s the reason behind applying weekly inspections in Saudi Arabia?

The Ministry of Interior regularly monitors and conducts inspections to uncover any violations by the residency, labor law or border security, and to ensure compliance with national laws.

What happens if my Iqama expires?

Having an expired Iqama will make a person feel like they are in violation of Saudi’s residency laws and they might be fined, detained or deported according to their situation.

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