Saudi Arabia extends visa validity for stranded expats

The extensions of visit visas, as well as exit and re-entry visas, will be granted at no extra cost until 30 November 2021

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports has started to automatically extend the validity of residence permits (known as Iqama) until 30 November 2021 for expats stranded outside of the kingdom due to travel restrictions, it said on Friday.

The authority will also extend the validity of visit visas and exit and re-entry visas free of charge until 30 November 2021.

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This decision was made following a directive issued by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The directorate indicated that the extension will be carried out electronically in cooperation with the National Information Centre without the need to visit the departments of passports.

Last month, Saudi Arabia announced that expats who were fully vaccinated in Saudi Arabia before their departure can now return directly to the kingdom, including those travelling from countries facing a travel ban. The decision also includes those who have passed through any of the banned countries during the 14 days preceding the request to enter the kingdom.