If you are about to work as a Saudi Arabian expatriate, you must have some important cards to identify yourself. The state protocol to let non-foreigner work includes a resident permit or known as Iqama, consisting of personal information. It has two different colors, where the green color is intended for Muslim, and dark maroon for non-Muslims.
This resident permit must be applied within 90 days before coming to the country with a working visa. If you do not have it, you cannot do other things involving your identity card, such as purchasing a local phone card. Iqama has very strict regulations regarding the sponsor and medical test, too. That’s why you have to prepare the submission well for a new application or the renewal of iqama expiry when the due comes.
Besides concerns about the iqama registration, you also have some checklists regarding must-have cards as Saudi Arabian ex-pats. They are vital to helping you with your needs during your duty, so you have to carry them around. Keep reading and find the important documents and cards you must have below.
Iqama Card
As mentioned above, the iqama card is very important because once you have landed in the kingdom and the medical examination is complete, your passport would be taken by your sponsor. In return, you will have your iqama as your identity card during your stay, so bring it wherever and whenever you are. Do not lose or misplace it, because it acts as an identity card that links to your passport. It relates not only to your passport, but iqama also covers all your activities in the kingdom, including driving license, opening a bank account, transferring money, many others. When you leave the state, you will have to give your iqama to your sponsor and get your passport back.
Vehicle-Related Card
As an ex-pat, you must have a driving license to go around in the kingdom. When you own a car, you will have to fill out two different documents. One is the registration of the vehicle known as “Istemara,” and the other is the certificate of car ownership. Both are a small card that you have to carry around in your wallet. It would be best if you also issued the insurance policy and also bring it with other vehicle-related cards. However, it is advisable only to keep copies of these cards in your dashboard and save the originals one separately. In case an accident or robbery happens with the car, you will feel at ease to have the original saved.
Company Identity Card
In the Arabian Kingdom, there are numerous checkpoints you have to face while traveling to one city to another. In this matter, you have to show your original iqama and your company ID to the policeman on duty from your vehicle’s window. If you happen to pass Western regions (which can be heavily guarded), you even need to leave your business card or iqama at the entry gate. A temporary entry card will be given in exchange, and you can get them back when exiting the regions.
Debit or Credit Card
As you have opened a bank account, you will have a debit card or even own a credit card. Although it is useful to carry around as payment, please remember that not all shops around the kingdom accept cards. Try to bring more cash to buy things in many small shops around.