Accomodation
Get your Iqama! The importance of this cannot be stressed enough. If you are going to rent an unfurnished apartment, you will be asked for it. If you want to open up a bank account, you will be asked for it. If you want to get a phone line, you will be asked for it. Do you get the picture? The process for getting an iqama is fairly straightforward. You will need: - About 6 – 8 personal photographs. These need to be a particular size, passport sized photographs will not be accepted. If you go to any photo studio in Jeddah and ask for photos for your Iqama, they will know what you are talking about. It will cost you about SR20 - Medical Exam. Although you will have had extensive medical tests done in your home country as part of your visa process, they will not be accepted when it comes to your Iqama. Most polyclinics in Jeddah provide this service and it costs around SR70. You will need to take along a passport sized photograph - You will need to obtain an Iqama application form from your employer, which needs to be completed, stamped and signed by your manager
Now that you have your Iqama, you can stop living out of your suitcase and finally get a place to live! If you are here on a work visa, your employers might have already provided you with accommodation. If they haven’t, then you have a choice between a furnished apartment, an unfurnished apartment and a compound. Furnished apartments tend to be quite expensive, although they are very convenient as you can move straight in. The most popular ones include: Abu Zaid furnished apartments, Al-Sitteen Street, +966-2-6633332 Al Dana furnished apartments, Macarona Street, +966-2-6701112 Abu Diyab furnished apartments, Tahlia Street, +966-2-611733
If you opt for an unfurnished apartment, be warned that when they say unfurnished – they mean completely bare. You will need to buy everything, from air conditioning units to a cooker. Depending on the area you’re looking at, you can get a 3 roomed apartment for around SR20,000/annum. The best way to source an unfurnished apartment is through word of mouth. Ask around. Alternatively, you can ask a taxi driver to drive you around a district that you like, and look around for signs of availability of apartments in buildings (tip: If you see from the outside that an apartment that does not have air conditioning units installed, this is a very good indication that the apartment is available!)
- An Iqama processing fee of approximately SR520 is required When you have all of the above, take them to your employer who will then get them processed for you. DESTINATION JEDDAH 9