If you’re an expatriate living and working in Saudi Arabia, your Iqama (residency permit) is key to your legal stay and access to services like banking, healthcare, and education.
To increase local employment, the government introduced the Nitaqat program in 2011, which rates private companies based on how many Saudi nationals they employ.
What Is the Nitaqat Color System?
Under Nitaqat, companies are classified into five color zones: Platinum, High Green, Medium Green, Low Green, and Red.
These colors show how well a company meets Saudization targets, with Platinum and Green indicating compliance and Red showing non-compliance.
Your employer’s color status affects your Iqama renewal, job transfer options, and overall work permit status.
How to Check Your Iqama Red-Green Status
You can view your company’s Nitaqat category through the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) website.
Visit the official page, then enter your Iqama number, border number, or passport number along with the verification code.
Click search, and the page will display your company’s Nitaqat color, employer name, employment status, work permit number, and other details.
The page is in Arabic, so using a browser translation tool may help.
What Each Color Means
Platinum / High Green / Medium Green: Companies can hire expats, renew work permits, change job titles, and transfer workers from any category.
Low Green: They can renew existing expat permits but cannot hire new expats or change job titles.
Red: They cannot hire expats, renew permits, transfer employees, or update job titles.
Why It Matters
Your employer’s Nitaqat status determines whether your Iqama can be renewed, if you can transfer jobs, and whether your job title can be updated.
Checking your status regularly helps you stay aware of your employment options and future stability in Saudi Arabia.