In The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Labor, (MOL) maintains the records of the iqama professions. and strictly observes that expats are working at the same designation. It is illegal and causes penalties and fines to work on a different position except the one mentioned on iqama, with article 38 of saudi labor law.
Procedure To Change Iqama Profession.
The procedure to change iqama profession visit Company HR or Sponsor (Kafeel) and request for the change of iqama profession. the iqama must be valid and, not going to expire very soon.
There are different kind of professions from labor up to technician’s professions most of the categories like engineers, management, accountants, doctors etc. is required to verified and attested the documents, from Saudi culture and the Saudi embassy, MEA, and HRD verification must be done.
You also need to register with Saudi Engineering Council in case you are an engineer. And For accountants, you must register with SOCPA. Doctors should register with their respective authorities.
Requirements to change the Iqama profession
- The expat needs to be inside Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- Attested degree matching with the Iqama profession.
- Payment of SR 1,000 fee to change Iqama profession.
- Registration with the relevant professional body
- The status of the worker must not be “Pending service transfer”
Who Is not eligible to change profession?
Ministry of Labor, put certain restrictions on the iqama change profession. Few categories of professions are not eligible to change. Expats who have domestic profession like house maids, house drivers, gardeners, etc.
Most of the Common Rejection Reasons
It is very common that MOL doesn’t change the profession due to any reason. And, the reasons can be,
- The company is in the red or yellow category of the Nitaqat system.
- If Iqama is Expired.
- Applying for the professions which are dedicated to Saudi nationals.
- Any legal dues payable by your employer, sponsor (kafeel)
- Any legal dues payable by you.
- The employee has been black listed (huroob).
- Insufficient iqama funds in your Absher account.
- The iqama profession change banned by MOL for a specific time period.
