Arabic to English Identity Card Translation for Immigration & Visa

What an Arabic Identity Card Contains

An Arabic identity card, such as the Saudi Iqama (resident identity card) issued by the Ministry of Interior, follows a standard layout with key fields. The front typically displays the holder’s full name, nationality, date of birth, occupation, and a unique identity or residence number. The reverse often includes the sponsor’s name, place of issue, issue date, and expiry date. These cards may also contain a digital photo, a machine-readable zone, and security features like holograms. For immigration or visa petitions, each of these fields must be accurately translated into English, as the Iqama serves as the primary proof of legal residence in the Kingdom.

Common Arabic Terms on Identity Cards

When translating an Arabic identity card, you will encounter specific words and abbreviations. The table below lists the most frequent terms.

Arabic (Script)	Romanisation	English
رقم الهوية	Raqm al-Hawiya	Identity Number
الاسم	Al-Ism	Name
الجنسية	Al-Jinsiyya	Nationality
تاريخ الميلاد	Tarikh al-Milad	Date of Birth
المهنة	Al-Mihna	Occupation
مكان الإصدار	Makan al-Isdar	Place of Issue
تاريخ الانتهاء	Tarikh al-Intiha	Expiry Date
رقم الإقامة	Raqm al-Iqama	Residence Number
الكفيل	Al-Kafeel	Sponsor
الرقم المرجعي	Al-Raqam al-Marja’i	Reference Number

Why People Translate an Arabic ID for Immigration or Visa Purposes

An English translation of an Arabic identity card is often required when applying for visas, immigration petitions, or residency status in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia. For example, an Indian expatriate holding a Saudi Iqama may need to submit a translated copy as part of a US immigration petition to prove lawful residence in Saudi Arabia. Other scenarios include family visa applications, employment sponsorship changes, or entry clearance for a new destination. The translation bridges the language gap between Arabic-issued documentation and English-speaking immigration authorities.

AI Translation vs Human-Certified Work: When Each Fits

Lekhak’s AI translation delivers a translated DOCX in minutes, preserving the original layout and content. This is suitable for internal review, application drafts, and understanding the document. For final submission to an embassy, court, or immigration authority that explicitly requires a certified translation (by a human translator with a signed statement of accuracy), the AI output is not a substitute. Many immigration departments accept AI-translated copies for preliminary stages, but you must check the specific requirements of the receiving authority. Certified translation is a separate process you arrange with a credentialled provider; Lekhak does not offer it.

When You Need Notarisation, Apostille, or Embassy Attestation

Some visa or legal processes demand notarisation of the translation, an apostille (for countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention), or attestation by the Ministry of External Affairs and the relevant embassy. This chain is entirely separate from translation. For final submission, you must obtain these authentications through the appropriate government offices, Lekhak does not arrange notarisation, apostille, or attestation.

Regional Variations: Saudi Iqama and Other Gulf Resident IDs

The Saudi Iqama is issued by the Ministry of Interior and contains fields like sponsor and occupation that are critical for employment visas. In the UAE, the Emirates ID serves a similar purpose but is issued by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship. Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman each have their own resident identity cards with slightly different layouts. However, all share core fields: name, nationality, date of birth, and expiry. When translating any of these, follow the same approach, preserve formatting and present a clear English version of each field.

How to Get a Duplicate of Your Original Identity Card

If your Arabic identity card is lost or damaged, you must obtain a duplicate from the issuing authority before proceeding with translation. For the Saudi Iqama, you can request a replacement through the Absher online portal or visit a passport office. The duplicate will have a new issue date and number. Waiting for the replacement is often necessary because immigration applications require a current, valid identity document. Once you have the new card, you can upload it to Lekhak for AI translation.

Working with Lekhak: AI Translation and a Free Trial

What Lekhak’s AI Translation Produces

Lekhak’s pipeline processes uploaded images or PDFs of your Arabic identity card and returns a DOCX file with the English translation placed below or beside each original field. The output preserves the card’s overall layout, but note that it is not a certified document. You can use it for internal purposes, draft applications, or as a base for a certified translator to review. The translation covers all visible text, including stamps and handwritten entries.

You can start with 250 free credits at signup, no credit card required, to see how your Arabic ID card translates before committing to any payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an AI translation of my Arabic identity card accepted by immigration authorities?

It depends on the authority. Many accept AI translations for preliminary or supporting documents, but final submissions often require a certified translation by a human translator.

Does Lekhak provide a certificate of accuracy for translations?

No. Lekhak’s output is AI-generated and does not include a signed certificate. You would need to arrange a certified translation separately if required.

How long does Lekhak take to translate an identity card?

Translation is completed in minutes after you upload the file, not hours or days.

What languages can Lekhak handle for identity card translation?

Lekhak supports over 70 languages, including Arabic to English. The source language should be clearly readable in the uploaded image or PDF.

Can I get a notarised translation of my Iqama from Lekhak?

No. Lekhak does not offer notarisation, apostille, or any attestation services. These must be arranged separately.

What file formats can I upload for translation?

You can upload PDF, DOCX, DOC, JPG, PNG, WebP, TXT, and Markdown files.

How do I know if my translation is accurate?

Lekhak’s AI uses a multi-agent pipeline (OCR, translation, validation) to maximise accuracy. For critical use, have a human reviewer verify the output.

Can I translate a Saudi Iqama that has both Arabic and English text?

Yes. The AI processes all visible text. The output will translate any Arabic content; English content is left as is or noted.

Do you store my identity card after translation?

Lekhak retains files only as long as needed to deliver the translation. You can delete your documents from your account at any time. See the privacy policy for details.

What if my card has a stamp in a different language?

The AI will attempt to identify and translate all visible text. Stamps in languages other than Arabic may be transcribed if the script is supported.

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