How to Check Your Iqama Status in Saudi Arabia (Validity, Red & Green, Huroob)
Check your iqama validity, red/green (Nitaqat) colour and huroob status in Saudi Arabia. What each result means, and the official Absher and MOL ways to check, all in plain language.
Millions of expatriates in Saudi Arabia rely on a valid iqama (residency permit) to work, travel, bank, and keep their mobile line active. But "checking your iqama status" actually means checking three very different things, and confusing them is how people miss a renewal, get caught out by their employer's compliance problems, or discover a serious issue far too late. This guide explains what your iqama status really covers in 2026, what each result means, and exactly where to check it using the official portals.
What "iqama status" actually means
When people say they want to check their iqama status, they usually mean one of these three checks, and it is worth doing all three:
- Iqama validity and expiry, is your residency permit still valid, and when does it expire?
- Iqama colour (red or green), this is really your employer's Nitaqat (Saudization) rating, and it affects what you can do.
- Huroob status, has your employer reported you as absent from work? This is the most serious of the three.
Each one is checked in a different place, so let's take them one at a time.
1. Iqama validity and expiry
This is the simplest check: is your iqama still valid and when does it run out? Residents check this through the Absher portal (absher.sa) by logging into their personal account and opening the resident ID expiry inquiry. Employers and HR teams usually use the Muqeem platform instead.
A valid iqama keeps your work, banking, travel and mobile services running smoothly, so it is worth checking well before the expiry date rather than on the day you need it. Keep in mind that a valid iqama does not automatically mean every linked record (insurance, work permit, sponsor data) is clear, so treat it as one part of the picture.
2. Iqama colour: what red and green really mean
This is the most misunderstood check. The red or green colour is not about you personally, it reflects your employer's Nitaqat rating, which measures how well the company meets Saudization (hiring of Saudi nationals) targets. In simple terms:
- Green (High, Medium or Low), and Platinum, your employer is compliant. Renewals, transfers and profession changes generally go through smoothly.
- Red, your employer has failed Saudization requirements. The company is restricted from issuing new visas, renewing iqamas, approving transfers or processing profession changes until it improves.
Why should you care about your employer's colour? Because if it turns red, your own renewal or job transfer can get blocked even though you did nothing wrong. If you are thinking about changing jobs, doing it while the status is still green is far easier than after it turns. You can check this colour on the Ministry (MHRSD / MOL) "Non-Saudi Employee Inquiry" page, not on Absher, using your iqama, border or passport number.
3. Huroob status: check this one first
Huroob (Arabic for "escape") is a report an employer files when a worker is absent without permission, and it is the most damaging status on this list. Once filed, a huroob report immediately invalidates your iqama and makes you an illegal resident, which can lead to arrest, detention, deportation and a re-entry ban. Because the consequences are so severe, this is the first thing to check if you suspect any problem with your employer.
You can check huroob through the Ministry (MOL) Non-Saudi Employee Inquiry page or through Absher. On the Ministry page, entering your iqama number shows your employment status: if it reads "Absent from Work" (متغيب عن العمل) a huroob has been filed, while "On the Duty" (على رأس العمل) means your status is normal. If a huroob has wrongly been filed against you, act immediately, as resolving it usually requires your employer to cancel it or a formal labour complaint.
How to check, step by step
You do not need to pay anyone for these checks, they are free on the official portals:
- Validity and expiry: log in to Absher (absher.sa), open the resident ID expiry inquiry.
- Colour (Nitaqat) and huroob: open the Ministry (MHRSD / MOL) Non-Saudi Employee Inquiry page, choose one ID (iqama, border or passport number), enter the image code, and read your employment status and company colour.
Be careful of unofficial "check your iqama" websites that ask for personal details. Stick to Absher and the official Ministry inquiry page.
What to do if something is wrong
If your iqama is close to expiry, speak to your employer about renewal in good time, since they normally handle the fees and paperwork. If the colour is red, check the same day whether a huroob has been filed and whether your renewal fees have actually been paid. And if a huroob appears when you have been working normally, raise it with your employer straight away and, if needed, file a complaint with the labour authorities.
Plan your renewal costs
Most iqama problems come down to renewals not being done on time. To see what a renewal actually costs you and your dependents, use our free Iqama Fees Calculator. And if you are weighing up a job move or an eventual exit from the Kingdom, our guide to Saudi end-of-service benefits explains exactly what gratuity you are owed when you leave.
Checking your iqama status takes only a few minutes, but skipping it can cost you your job security or your legal residency. Make all three checks a habit, especially before travel, renewal, or any job change. Rules and portals can change, so always rely on the official Absher and Ministry channels for the final word on your status.