Exit and Re-Entry Visa in Saudi Arabia: How to Apply

If you hold an iqama and plan to travel outside Saudi Arabia and return, you'll need an exit and re-entry visa. This is one of the most common services residents deal with, whether for a short trip home, a holiday, or a business journey. The process is now almost entirely online through official Saudi government platforms, but knowing the fees, validity rules, and prerequisites in advance saves time and avoids surprises at the airport. Here is سعودي ليفنج's full guide.

Single vs multiple exit and re-entry visas

There are two types of exit and re-entry visa, and choosing the right one depends on how many trips you plan to make:

• Single exit/re-entry visa: allows one trip out and one return. The fee is SAR 200 for up to 2 months (60 days), plus SAR 100 for each additional month (or part of a month) up to your iqama expiry.
• Multiple exit/re-entry visa: allows several trips within its validity. The fee is SAR 500 for up to 3 months (90 days), plus SAR 200 for each additional month (or part of a month) up to your iqama expiry.

These base fees remain unchanged through the 2025–2026 period under the current fee schedule. If you travel frequently, the multiple visa is usually more cost-effective than repeatedly buying single visas.

How validity is calculated

The most important rule to remember: an exit/re-entry visa can never extend beyond your iqama expiry date. The visa's validity is always capped by how long your residency permit is valid.

• Visas can be issued for a total of up to 12 months, provided the iqama stays valid for the entire requested period.
• For visas set in months (for example 60, 90, or 120 days), you must begin travel within 3 months of the issuance date. The visa period then starts counting from your actual date of exit.
• For visas set in days or that show a specific "return before" date, the validity is counted directly from the issuance date until that date.

Always double-check the exact wording on your visa so you know whether the clock starts at issuance or at departure.

Who applies for whom

For residents inside Saudi Arabia, responsibility for applying depends on your status:

• For workers, the sponsor or employer applies for the exit/re-entry visa.
• For dependents and domestic workers, the head of household (sponsor) submits the application.

The beneficiary must be physically present inside Saudi Arabia at the time the visa is issued.

Where to apply online

The process is fully digital. The main channels are:

• أبشر Individuals: the primary e-service for individuals to issue and extend exit/re-entry visas for themselves, their dependents, and domestic workers.
• مقيم: employers with corporate accounts can issue and manage employees' exit/re-entry visas through this portal, which is linked to the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat).

Some HR and labor systems connected with قوى may integrate with Jawazat, but the legal issuance is always recorded through the official e-systems (أبشر or مقيم).

Prerequisites before you apply

To avoid a rejected or blocked application, make sure the following are in order:

• A valid iqama covering the required visa period.
• Payment of the visa fee through a Saudi bank (SADAD or equivalent), either before issuance or as part of the online application.
• No outstanding traffic fines or system blocks on the record.
• A valid passport with sufficient remaining validity.
• The beneficiary present inside Saudi Arabia at the time of issuance.

Step-by-step application

• Log in to أبشر (or the corporate portal for employers) using your national ID or iqama number and authenticate, often via نفاذ.
• Select the exit and re-entry visa service and choose the beneficiary.
• Choose the visa type (single or multiple) and the duration in months or days.
• Review the calculated fee and confirm it does not exceed the iqama validity.
• Pay the fee via SADAD if it is not settled automatically.
• Download or print the visa confirmation before travel.

Fees and rules can be updated, so always confirm the latest figures and requirements on the official Saudi government portal (أبشر or مقيم) before you apply.

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