MAKKAH, 9 January — The Passport Department will issue magnetic iqama cards to expatriates instead of the present booklets effective from early next Hijrah year, Al-Nadwa newspaper reported yesterday. The new Hijrah year (1422) begins March 26.
Passport Department sources told the Arabic daily that expatriate workers in all parts of the Kingdom would receive the new cards when they approach the department either for new iqamas (residency permits) or for the renewal of their iqamas.
"The card will be as small as a Saudi ID card and will be difficult to forge or tamper with," the sources said, adding that the card will carry all personal information about the holder including his name, photo, job and thump impression.
The Passport Department will start charging an additional fee of SR150 per year for the renewal of iqamas and work permits of expatriates this month. The new fee, approved by the Council of Ministers, is meant to support the Kingdom's Manpower Development Fund.
