Saudi Iqama (إقامة) photos must be 40×60mm — the same specification as a Saudi passport photo. Plain white background. No glasses. Neutral expression, mouth closed. The Iqama is a residence and work permit issued to expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia. Your employer handles the application; you supply the photo.
The Iqama is valid for 1–2 years, linked to the duration of your work contract. Renewal is the employer's administrative responsibility under the Kafala system. The Iqama number functions as your national ID number for the duration of your stay — banks, utilities, telecoms, and most government services in the Kingdom require it.
Saudi Iqama Photo Specifications (40×60mm White Background)
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Print size | 40×60mm |
| Digital equivalent | 472×709 pixels |
| Aspect ratio | 2:3 |
| Background | Plain white |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Recency | Within 3 months |
| Head size | Occupying 70–80% of frame |
Get a compliant passport photo online
How the Kafala System Works for Saudi Iqama Applications
Saudi Arabia operates a sponsorship system — known as Kafala (كفالة) — under which every expatriate worker is legally tied to a Saudi sponsor, typically an employer. The sponsor is responsible for the employee's entry visa, Iqama issuance, Iqama renewal, and exit arrangements. An expatriate worker cannot independently apply for an Iqama; it flows through the employer.
The typical sequence for a new expatriate employee:
- Work visa issued — the employer applies to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) and the Directorate General of Passports for a work visa on your behalf.
- Entry into the Kingdom — you arrive on your work visa, typically a single-entry or multiple-entry visa valid for 90 days.
- Iqama application — within 90 days of arrival, your employer submits the Iqama application. This includes your passport copy, entry visa, biometric data, and your 40×60mm photo.
- Medical examination — a government-approved medical test is required as part of the Iqama process. This is done in Saudi Arabia after arrival.
- Biometric enrolment — fingerprints and other biometric data are captured at a government centre.
- Iqama issued — the physical card is delivered through your employer, typically within 2–4 weeks of the application being submitted.
Your employer bears the Iqama fee. As of 2026, the annual Iqama fee is SAR 650 for workers in the private sector, plus SAR 400 per dependent. Exact fees vary and are updated periodically by the Ministry of Interior.
Why You Still Need to Supply a Photo for Your Saudi Iqama
Even though the employer handles the application, the photo needs to come from you. It must meet the 40×60mm specification because the Iqama is a biometric identity document. The photo appears on the card and is matched against passport photos at border crossings, police checkpoints, and identity verification points throughout the Kingdom.
The standard is the same as the Saudi passport because the two documents are designed to work together in the same identity verification framework. An Iqama holder who also holds a valid foreign passport will have consistent facial images across both documents — important for someone whose identity is routinely checked at airports, embassies, and commercial establishments.
Give your employer a compliant photo before they begin the application. A non-compliant photo will be flagged when the application is processed at the Directorate of Passports and will need to be resubmitted. This delays the Iqama issuance and your status remains on a short-stay visa during the delay.
How to Renew Your Saudi Iqama (and Photo Requirements)
Iqama renewal follows the same structure as initial issuance. The employer submits the renewal application, typically 30–60 days before expiry. A new photo may be required at renewal, particularly if your appearance has changed or your existing photo is more than a few years old.
An expired Iqama carries fines. The fine for overstaying an expired Iqama starts at SAR 500 per month. Employers who fail to renew on time can also face fines. Tracking the expiry date and beginning the renewal process early is the employer's legal obligation under Kafala, but it's worth following up as the expiry approaches — the consequences of an expired Iqama fall on the employee as much as the employer.
Using Your Saudi Iqama Number as a National ID
The Iqama number is your primary identifier in Saudi Arabia for all purposes that a national ID number would serve:
- Opening a bank account (SABB, Al Rajhi, SNB, Riyad Bank, etc.)
- Registering a mobile SIM card
- Signing utility contracts
- Obtaining an Abshiri (the digital government services account for residents)
- Receiving healthcare at government hospitals
- Registering your children in school
- Applying for a Saudi driving licence
Saudi nationals use the National ID (بطاقة الهوية الوطنية) for these purposes. Expatriate residents use the Iqama. The two documents are parallel in function, though the Iqama is tied to residency status rather than citizenship.
Preparing a Compliant 40×60mm Saudi Iqama Photo
Since the Iqama photo spec matches the Saudi passport — 40×60mm, white background, no glasses — any passport photo service in your home country or in Saudi Arabia can produce a compliant print. Tell the operator it's for a Saudi government document. The 40×60mm format is a standard portrait format that most studios can accommodate.
Before handing the photo to your employer for the application, verify it with the passportsize-photo.online checker. A photo that passes the Saudi passport standard will pass the Iqama standard. The check takes 30 seconds and removes the risk of a delayed application.
For a full picture of Saudi Arabian document requirements — including the National ID dual-format specs and the Saudi passport — visit the Saudi Arabia documents page.
Expression and Appearance Rules for Saudi Iqama Photos
- Neutral expression — mouth closed, no smile, no frown
- Eyes open — both eyes fully visible, looking directly at the camera
- No glasses — all eyewear banned, including clear prescription lenses
- Hair away from face — forehead and both eyes clearly visible
- Head coverings — women may wear hijab; full face from chin to forehead must remain visible; men should not wear ghutra/shemagh for the photo
- Clean, even lighting — no shadows on face or white background
- Recent photo — taken within the last 3 months (stricter than many countries' 6-month rule)
Saudi Document Photo Comparison: Iqama vs Passport vs NID
| Document | Size | Background | Glasses | Smile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iqama (Residence Permit) | 40×60mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Saudi Passport | 40×60mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| National ID (بطاقة الهوية) | 40×60mm | White | Not allowed | Not allowed |
All three Saudi identity documents share the same 40×60mm / white background / no-glasses specification. One compliant photo session covers every Saudi document application. The 40×60mm format is larger than the European 35×45mm standard.
Quick Checklist for Saudi Iqama Photos
- Size: 40×60mm (472×709px)
- Background: plain white
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed
- No glasses (any type)
- Photo taken within 3 months
- Photo supplied to employer for Kafala submission
- Medical examination completed
- Biometric enrolment scheduled
