Starting October 14, 2015, a new Resident Identity Card will replace the existing card, also known as Iqama, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Interior. The new card, called Muqeem, will provide work and residency authorization and is expected to be valid for five years (instead of the Iqama’s one-year validity), renewable electronically every year.
Personal data recorded on the card will include the applicant’s photograph, name, nationality, religion, occupation, work permit number and employer’s name (if applicable).
Additionally, effective immediately, company representatives no longer have to collect Iqamas in person, as original cards are now sent to a company’s PO Box. New Resident Identity Cards will be delivered to residents in the same way.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Foreign nationals should benefit from the longer validity period of the Muqeem. There are no other practical differences between the two cards at this time.
Company representatives no longer have to visit the Immigration Office to obtain and renew residency permits.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Associate Yinny Tan outlines how proposed UK immigration changes may affect workforce planning and talent access in the wind industry.
Blog post
Senior Manager Sean Rhodes, Associate Jennifer Gray and Paralegal Mariel Arquero outlines how the United Kingdom's 2025 immigration policy changes will impact the creative industries.
Media mentions
Senior Associate Carolyn Alvarez outlines US passport rules for minors to guide family law attorneys on immigration requirements.
Blog post
Senior Manager Ben Morgan and Manager Mariana Da Encarnacao outline Türkiye’s AMS visa and Greece’s Installation visa as streamlined immigration options aimed at attracting technical talent to support national innovation and economic growth.
Video
Director Raj Mann shares an overview of Fragomen's newly released 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews, a supplement to the firm's Worldwide Immigration Trends Report.
Video
Explore EU visa options for non-EU nationals, including Schengen, long-stay and work visas like the EU Blue Card. Find the right visa for your needs.
Blog post
Private Client Associate Amelia Haynes and Intern Zuha Malik explore whether living together remains a requirement for unmarried couples applying for a UK partner visa under the 2025 rules.
Media mentions
Partner Blake Miller discussed how US immigration processing delays may create challenges for work authorization, travel and workforce planning.
Blog post
Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis discusses how the EES and ETIAS systems aim to streamline immigration processes while addressing the complexities of automation.
Fragomen news
Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.
Blog post
Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.
Media mentions
UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.
Media mentions
Associate Yinny Tan outlines how proposed UK immigration changes may affect workforce planning and talent access in the wind industry.
Blog post
Senior Manager Sean Rhodes, Associate Jennifer Gray and Paralegal Mariel Arquero outlines how the United Kingdom's 2025 immigration policy changes will impact the creative industries.
Media mentions
Senior Associate Carolyn Alvarez outlines US passport rules for minors to guide family law attorneys on immigration requirements.
Blog post
Senior Manager Ben Morgan and Manager Mariana Da Encarnacao outline Türkiye’s AMS visa and Greece’s Installation visa as streamlined immigration options aimed at attracting technical talent to support national innovation and economic growth.
Video
Director Raj Mann shares an overview of Fragomen's newly released 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews, a supplement to the firm's Worldwide Immigration Trends Report.
Video
Explore EU visa options for non-EU nationals, including Schengen, long-stay and work visas like the EU Blue Card. Find the right visa for your needs.
Blog post
Private Client Associate Amelia Haynes and Intern Zuha Malik explore whether living together remains a requirement for unmarried couples applying for a UK partner visa under the 2025 rules.
Media mentions
Partner Blake Miller discussed how US immigration processing delays may create challenges for work authorization, travel and workforce planning.
Blog post
Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis discusses how the EES and ETIAS systems aim to streamline immigration processes while addressing the complexities of automation.
Fragomen news
Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.
Blog post
Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.
Media mentions
UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.