Iqama also known as resident permit is the most important card for any expat in Saudi Arabia. Having Iqama is mandatory but it is also mandatory to have your Iqama Valid. It is illegal and subject to severe punishments if you stay in Saudi Arabia with an expired Iqama. However, a common question and concern for many expats in Saudi Arabia is that their sponsor/kafeel is not renewing the iqama. They have a genuine question in their minds: What to Do If Kafeel Not Renewing Iqama? In this article, you will get an answer to this question.
Is Kafeel Responsible for Renewal of Iqama?
When you come to Saudi Arabia as an expat for work on a work permit or even when you come as a dependent, you are under a sponsor known as Kafeel. For those who are in Saudi Arabia on a work permit, they are under the sponsorship of the company or individual for which they are legally working by having work permit from that company or person. That company or individual who hired you and brought you to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on their visa; is your Kafeel also known as sponsor.
It is responsibility of that Kafeel to renew your Iqama before your Iqama Expiry. Either a Final Exit Visa should be issued if your job contract ends and your Kafeel doesn’t want to keep you hired anymore. Also if you resign and serve notice period and you are no more interested to stay in Saudi Arabia, your Kafeel is responsible to get a Final Exit Visa for you. In other cases, if you have to stay and work further in Saudi Arabia and your Iqama is expiring, it is responsibility of your Kafeel to get it renewed as Iqama Renewal is a sole responsibility of Kafeel.
What to Do if Kafeel Not Renewing Iqama in Saudi Arabia?
With hundreds of thousands of Expats working in Saudi Arabia in large companies, small enterprises and also with individuals for small house jobs; issues of less cooperation from Kafeel are not a surprise. There are plenty of such cases where employees are worried as Kafeel is Renewing Iqama while Iqama Expiry Date is just approaching.
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If your Kafeel is not helping in Renewing Iqama, you can raise your complain with ministry of Manpower against your Kafeel (Sponsor). The concerned department works to settle any such disputes between worker and the employer in a very professional manner as per Saudi Labor Laws.
It is important to mention here that Employer who doesn’t renew Iqama of his worker on time (before expiry) is subjected to a fine of SR 500 for first time violation, SR 1000 for second time violation. In case of third time violation, expat worker might be deported.