Essential Guide for Newcomers: How to Carry Your Resident ID Iqama Digitally in Saudi Arabia

If you’ve recently relocated to Saudi Arabia, carrying your resident ID, or Iqama, is essential.

Issued by the Saudi Ministry of Interior, this card contains crucial details about your identity and residency.

While the card primarily features Arabic, your name and Iqama number are also displayed in English.

In 2023, the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) announced that a digital version of your Iqama on your smartphone is sufficient, eliminating the need to carry a physical card.

This update applies to expatriates, their dependents, and foreign workers with recent Iqama renewals

How to Obtain Your Digital Iqama

You can access a digital copy of your Iqama through the Ministry of Interior’s Absher platform, available in two ways:

Via the Absher App

* Download the Absher app, available for Apple, Android, and Huawei devices.

* Log in using your Absher credentials. If you don’t have an account, click here to create one.

* Tap on ‘My Services’ at the bottom menu.

* Select ‘Activate Digital ID.’

* Review the details of your resident ID and choose ‘Activate Digital ID.’

* A QR code will be generated, which can be scanned by officials to verify your ID.

Via the Absher Website

* Visit absher.sa.

* Log in with your username and password.

* Enter the verification code sent to your registered mobile number.

* Click on the menu next to your profile picture and select ‘View Digital Documents.’

* Find the option for your resident ID or Iqama, and save the digital copy to your phone.

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