For expatriates working in Saudi Arabia, Iqama is one of the most important thing which they must carry all the time as a valid Iqama is the only thing which proves legal status of any expat inside Saudi Arabia. For any dealings or any actions in Saudi Arabia, be it opening bank account, buying a car, getting medical treatment, buying a new SIM or any other such tasks; the first thing that you are asked is to provide/show your Iqama. You are also responsible to show your Iqama to the police if they ask you at any point and failing to provide your Iqama to the law enforcement personnel may result in severe penalties for you.
It is your sole responsibility to ensure that your Iqama is kept safe and if you lose your Iqama or if you Iqama is stolen, you need to take the matter very seriously and urgently to avoid penalties. In this post, we will talk about what to do if iqama is lost or stolen in Saudi Arabia.
What to do if your Iqama is Lost or Stolen in Saudi Arabia?
For anything important that is lost, first thing recommended to do is to do the necessary search at your own in all possible places in a hope to find it. If you lost your iqama and you have some clue of possible locations where it might have been lost, search there. For example if you forgot it at some place in your home but found it missing, search thoroughly in your entire house. Search in your car, stairs or any other places you passed through in your vicinity. If you suspect that you lost your iqama in some shop or restaurant, do visit those places in a hope to find it back.
If all your search results in vain, you shouldn’t delay further and report about your lost/stolen Iqama to your sponsor/kafeel.
Remember that you should report about your lost or stolen iqama to the police station within 24 hours (through your sponsor/mandoob) otherwise you will get penalized for it.
According to MOI website, If you lost your iqama and didn’t report within 24 hours, you will be fined as below:
• 1000 S.R. first instance.
• 2000 S.R. second instance.
• 3000 S.R. third instance.
How to Get Replacement Iqama for a stolen or Lost Iqama
If you have followed the above steps and reported about your lost iqama and you have paid any applicable fines then your sponsor or his representative can visit Jawazat office with letter in Arabic, your passport size photographs, copy of your lost iqama and jawazat form duly filled. Payment slips/proof for iqama fees and applicable fines should also be provided to the officer in order to proceed.
Upon verification of all the documents mentioned above, your replacement iqama can be printed and given to you on the same day.
How to Avoid Iqama Loss?
Since Iqama is your most important identity card in Saudi Arabia, you should take utmost care of it to avoid any legal complications, fines etc. Below are some of the safety measures or precautions that you can take to avoid losing your iqama or possibly getting it back sooner:
* Keep your Iqama card in wallet in some suitable place. Don’t put it in your wallet in same compartment where you put money as there is a risk of getting it dropped from your wallet while pulling out money. Wallets usually come with separate sections to put cards. Use wallets with such sections safer with button or zip above.
* If your wallet have multiple sections to place cards, it is recommended to keep your Iqama not in the same section where you put your Credit/Debit card as you use that section very often.
* Even if you don’t use your Iqama quite often, It is recommended to have a check of it regularly each day to ensure it is in your wallet safe and sound.
* For any mishaps where you lose you wallet, It is recommended to keep some paper/note/visiting card in your wallet with your name and contact details. Doing so can be helpful if some one finds your lost wallet and he is kind enough to contact you to give your wallet back.
Recommended: Check Iqama Expiry Date Online