Iqama Translation

Updated: Nov 19

Did you know that a residency permit is not merely an identification document in Saudi Arabia, but rather the official document that governs a person’s entire daily life? Without it, an individual cannot work, open a bank account, or even enroll their children in schools or universities.

Because a residency permit is an essential official document, its translation must be accurate and certified in order to be accepted by embassies and government authorities within the Kingdom.

Residency permits are important official documents in Gulf countries, as they verify the identity of the resident and confirm that their stay in the country is legal. With the increasing commercial and professional exchanges among countries, translating official documents into multiple languages has become necessary to facilitate interactions with embassies, government agencies, and international companies.

For this reason, Iqama translation has become a crucial step for any foreigner living in the country, particularly when the translation is certified to ensure acceptance by official organizations. Obtaining an accurate and reliable translation helps protect individuals from potential legal or administrative issues that may arise within the country.

What is Iqama?

A residence permit is an official document that grants individuals residing in Saudi Arabia the right to live in the country and verifies their legal status to stay, work, and study there. The residence permit contains the resident's personal details, such as:

Name
Residence permit number
Type of residence
Expiration date

The issuance and renewal of the Iqama are managed through the “Absher” application, which provides electronic services to facilitate procedures for citizens and residents across various regions of the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia is known for its high accuracy in managing official documents; therefore, an Iqama translation must be certified to ensure acceptance by embassies and government authorities.

Residence permits allow residents to access a variety of services, including:

Opening bank accounts
Obtaining visas
Enrolling children in schools
Accessing healthcare services

For foreigners, a residence permit is an essential document to prove their legal residence in the country; therefore, obtaining an accurate and certified translation is a crucial step for conducting any official transactions.

Why do I need to translate Saudi Iqama?

An Iqama translation is a necessary step for all foreign residents, as it facilitates many official procedures and international transactions while guaranteeing the rights of the resident. Its importance can be summarized in the following points:

Applying at embassies: When obtaining international visas, a translated and certified copy of the residency permit must be submitted to ensure official acceptance.
Dealing with government authorities: A translated residency permit makes it easier for foreigners to interact with government organizations, such as the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Interior, and accelerates the issuance of permits and licenses.
Opening bank accounts: Some banks require a translated copy of the residency permit to open accounts or complete financial procedures legally and officially.
Enrolling in schools and universities: Registering children in international schools or universities within the Kingdom requires a translated and certified copy of the residency permit to ensure applications are accepted promptly.
Commercial transactions: Companies and government departments need a translated copy of the residency permit to finalize contracts or complete any official transactions legally and correctly.
International transactions: When a resident conducts transactions outside the country, they must submit documents to complete legal procedures abroad. A certified translation of the residency permit is essential to ensure international recognition.
Access to health services: Some hospitals and medical centers require a translated copy of the residency permit when transferring a patient from a local hospital to one abroad

Iqama Translation Near Me

If a resident is looking for a translation office nearby, it is now easy to find one, as there are many specialized translation offices in all cities. These offices provide Iqama translation and other certified translation services with guaranteed accuracy and fast execution. Using a reliable translation office ensures that documents are officially accepted. For example, Elite Translation Office offers a wide range of services that help residents complete all their transactions accurately and efficiently. The most important services include:

Residence translation services: Translating residence permits into English and Spanish to meet the requirements of embassies, universities, or international institutions, with the option of certifying the translation with official authorities if necessary to ensure acceptance by government bodies.
Document consultation: The translation office provides guidance on the required documents before starting the translation process to avoid any rejection or delay from competent authorities.
Quick delivery: Translated documents are delivered promptly while maintaining high quality, facilitating urgent transactions for residents.
Legal and contract translations: Providing accurate translation services for contracts and legal documents related to residency, ensuring that documents submitted to government departments are complete and error-free.

Relying on a professional and reliable translation office ensures that residents avoid errors that may result in the rejection of documents by official authorities. Such offices also help complete all transactions efficiently, making the process of obtaining a residence translation more comfortable, secure, and reliable.

How to Translate Iqama to English?

To obtain a correct and certified Iqama translation of a residence permit, residents must follow these steps:

Required documents:

A copy of the residency permit, whether it is a work or family permit.
A copy of the passport.
Any additional documents requested by the relevant government departments or embassies.
Contact details for the translator to allow communication when needed.

Translation steps:

Choose a translation office that is certified and trusted by the relevant authorities.
Submit a copy of the residence permit and all documents to be translated to the office.
Specify the language required for the translation, whether English or another language.
Have the translated documents reviewed by a specialized team to verify their accuracy.
Obtain an official stamp on the translated document to ensure acceptance by all authorities.

Best Certified Translation Office for Iqama

If a resident is looking for the best residency translation office in Saudi Arabia, it is essential to choose a certified office that guarantees the acceptance of official documents by government organizations. Elite Translation Office is one of the most prominent offices in Riyadh due to its international and local accreditations and its experience in Iqama translation, as well as other official documents. The key reasons for choosing Elite Translation Office include:

Experience: Elite Translation Office has a team of certified translators with extensive experience in translating residency, official, and academic documents, such as acceptance letters and contracts, ensuring both speed and accuracy in translation.
Official and international accreditations: The office is accredited by several embassies and government authorities in Saudi Arabia and holds local and international certifications that guarantee the acceptance of all documents. The most notable accreditations include:

ISO 17100:2015 and ISO 9001:2015 certifications
Membership in the Association of Translation Companies and the American Translators Association, confirming the office’s commitment to the highest international translation standards.
Integrated translation solutions: Elite Translation Office offers a wide range of services, including:

Translation of government and official documents
Translation of legal and commercial contracts
Translation of academic documents and medical reports
Multimedia services such as audio and video transcription and voice-over translation
Marketing services such as content writing and editing
Professional translation in multiple languages: The office provides professional translation in many languages, including English, Spanish, German, and others, making it an ideal choice for translating Spanish residency permits and documents in other languages.
Technical support: Elite Translation Office provides a dedicated technical support team available 24/7 to assist all clients, whether inside or outside the Kingdom.

The goal of Elite Translation Office is not only to provide certified translations but also to offer a service that meets clients’ needs without any additional fees. Residents can easily obtain a quote through the website or by contacting the customer service team.