How to Check Your Iqama Status in Saudi Arabia (Validity, Red & Green, Huroob)
How to check iqama expiry date, validity, employer colour and huroob status in Saudi Arabia, using Absher or your iqama or passport number.
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 how to do an iqama expiry date check, an iqama validity check, and a check by iqama number or passport number, what each result means in 2026, and exactly where to look using the official portals.
Quick answer: where to check your iqama status
- Expiry date and validity: log in to Absher (absher.sa) and open the resident ID expiry inquiry. Employers usually use Muqeem.
- Employment status and company colour (red or green): use the Ministry (MHRSD / MOL) Non-Saudi Employee Inquiry page with your iqama number, border number or passport number.
- Huroob (absconding report): the same Ministry inquiry page, or Absher.
All three are free. The rest of this guide explains each one so you know what the result actually means.
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 expiry date check and validity check
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. The exact menu name can change when the portal is updated, but the expiry information is always found under your own account services. Employers and HR teams usually use the Muqeem platform instead.
Two practical points. First, Saudi documents often show dates in the Hijri calendar as well as the Gregorian calendar, so read both dates before you decide how many days you have left. Second, a valid iqama does not automatically mean every linked record (insurance, work permit, sponsor data) is clear, so treat the expiry date as one part of the picture.
A valid iqama keeps your work, banking, travel and mobile services running smoothly, so check it well before the expiry date rather than on the day you need it. If it is close to expiry, ask your employer to start the renewal early. You can estimate the renewal cost with our free Iqama fees calculator.
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.
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 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.
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. Our detailed guide on how to check iqama huroob status walks through every step of this process, including what to do if the report is wrong.
Check iqama by iqama number or passport number
You do not need to log in to an account for the Ministry check. On the Non-Saudi Employee Inquiry page you choose one type of ID, either your iqama number, your border number (for entry) or your passport number, then enter the image code and submit. The result shows your employment status and your company's colour.
This is useful in three situations: when you have lost access to your Absher account, when you are checking a job offer before you join a company, or when you have only your passport number, for example before your iqama has been issued. Keep in mind that this inquiry tells you about employment status and the company colour. For the exact iqama expiry date, use Absher or ask your employer to check Muqeem.
How to check, step by step
- Expiry and validity: log in to Absher (absher.sa) and 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.
- Note every date in both Hijri and Gregorian form, and set a reminder at least 30 days before expiry.
Be careful of unofficial "check your iqama" websites that ask for personal details or a payment. Stick to Absher and the official Ministry inquiry page. These checks are free.
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 you are also responsible for a spouse, children, or parents on your sponsorship, our guide on iqama renewal for dependents covers the documents and steps for the whole family. 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 using the steps in our huroob status guide.
If you are planning to change employers, read our guides on how a transferable iqama and sponsorship transfer work and how to change your profession on your iqama, since both depend on the status checks above being clean.
Plan your renewal and exit 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. If you are travelling, check the rules and costs with our Saudi exit and re-entry 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.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check my iqama expiry date online?
Log in to your Absher account and open the resident ID expiry inquiry. Employers can also check it through Muqeem. Read both the Hijri and Gregorian dates.
Can I check my iqama with my passport number?
Yes, for employment status and the company colour. Use the Ministry Non-Saudi Employee Inquiry page and choose passport number as the ID type. For the exact expiry date, use Absher.
What does a red iqama status mean?
The red or green colour reflects your employer's Nitaqat rating, not you personally. Red means the company has failed Saudization requirements, which can block renewals, transfers and profession changes until it improves.
How can I check if my iqama is valid?
Check the expiry date on Absher, then confirm on the Ministry inquiry page that your employment status reads "On the Duty" and there is no huroob report. A valid date with an active huroob report is still a serious problem.
Is it free to check iqama status?
Yes. Absher and the Ministry inquiry page are free. Be careful of any website that asks for a payment or for personal details beyond the ID number.
How early should I renew my iqama?
Start the process well before expiry and set a reminder at least 30 days ahead. Late renewal can lead to fines and blocked services.
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.