Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Iqama Violations and Penalties Under Saudi Arabia Law

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QUESTION: What happens when an expat does not renew his or her Iqama 3 days prior to its expiry?
ANSWER:
>If the applicant’s employer or sponsor is a non-government institute, he or she would be required to pay double the renewal fees.
>If the applicant works for a government institute, the institute is responsible to conduct an investigation on the cause of the delay and decide as to what disciplinary action should be implemented for such violation.

QUESTION: What happens to a resident who fails to provide documentation regarding his stay in the Kingdom’ (i.e., showing Iqama)
ANSWER:
If he failed to state a valid reason to the concerned authority, he shall be fined with 1000 S.R. for the first offense; 2000 S.R. for the second; and 3000 S.R. for the third.

QUESTION: What happens when an expat does not renew or cancel exit/re-entry visa or final exit visa prior to its expiry?
ANSWER:
He shall be fined with 1000 S.R. for the first offense; 2000 S.R. for the second; and 3000 S.R. for the third, and/or will be given with a new visa if necessary (as per the statutory procedures).

QUESTION: What happens if an expat is unable to report loss of passport or Iqama within 24 hours?
ANSWER:
He shall be fined with 1000 S.R. for the first offense, 2000 S.R. for the second, and 3000 S.R. for the third.

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QUESTION: What happens if the expat’s dependents work without proper documents?
ANSWER:
He shall be fined with 1000 S.R. for the first offense, 2000 S.R. for the second, and 3000 S.R. for the third. Moreover, the issue will be referred to the Minister of Interior for his direction towards termination of the violator’s Iqama and deportation.

QUESTION: What happens to an expat who overstays in the Kingdom?
ANSWER:
>The violator will face statutory penalties like custody, fines, and deportation. His deportation papers will be finalized following the collection of the statutory fines and an exit visa and expedited ticket will be issued for him.
>If the violator came for a visit, the case will be brought up with the Minister of Interior who would issue directives to the resident whom the violator visits to terminate the violator’s Iqama and deport him.

QUESTION: What are the consequences when one employs an expatriate with a visitor’s visa?
ANSWER:
One of the following might be the consequences for the violator:
>If the violator is with a valid visa, he shall be deported.
>If the violator holds an expired visa, deportation will be implemented after collection of statutory fines.

The employer will also face consequences and these are:
>The employer will be penalized according to the statutory measures.
>If the sponsor or employer is an expat, he will be reported to the authorities after implementing the statory penalties towards him.
>Deportation is possible.

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QUESTION: What happens if one helps an individual obtain a forged Iqama or visa, trading Iqamas, or helps an individual get employment by forging or cheating?
ANSWER:
One of the following might be the consequences for the violator:
>An expatriate will be fined 10,000 S.R. and/or imprisoned for 3 months. Furthermore, his Iqama will be terminated and he shall be deported as well.
>A Saudi Citizen will be fined 10,000 S.R. for the first offense, 15,000 S.R. for the second offense with one month imprisonment, and 15,000 S.R. for the third offense with 3 months imprisonment. Furthermore, the type of violation would be measured while employing the punishment.

All these punishments apply to the principal perpetrator, partner and contributor. Furthermore, paid money shall be confiscated and charges are multiplied to the total number of persons involved and violations.

QUESTION: What happens when service officers delay application and applicants, finalize applications illegally and/ordeal with aliens directly (not through the employer), employ expatriates in the office, accept applications not signed by the employer or authorized signatories and incomplete signatures and exceeds their authorization in expedition especially Saudi passport applications and Iqama applications for those who came to the Kingdom with a non-working visa?
ANSWER:
The service office shall face the following consequences:
>For the first offense, a warning shall be sent to the office by the director of passports office, if the offense doesn’t require further action.
>If the violation was repeated or was a gross one, the matter shall be brought up to the Ministry of Commerce. The office shall propose a penalty of suspension varying from three months to one year or termination of the office’s license.

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