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

If you are a resident in Saudi Arabia and plan to travel abroad and return on the same residency, you need an exit and re-entry visa before you leave. The good news is that the whole process is digital: you can issue the visa, check its status, and even extend it from outside the Kingdom without any physical passport stamp. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through the types, the fees, the requirements, and the exact steps to apply through أبشر or مقيم.

Single vs. multiple exit and re-entry

There are two main options, and choosing the right one saves you money and hassle:

• Single exit/re-entry: lets you leave and return once. The base fee is SAR 200 for up to 2 months, then SAR 100 for each additional month.
• Multiple exit/re-entry: lets you leave and return several times during the validity period. The base fee is SAR 500 for up to 3 months, then SAR 200 for each additional month.

If you only have one trip planned, the single visa is the economical choice. If you travel frequently for work or family reasons, the multiple visa is usually worth it.

Before you apply: check these requirements

A few conditions must be in order before the platform will let you issue the visa:

• Your Iqama must be valid for the full period you are requesting. The permitted travel period cannot exceed your eligible Iqama validity, and some resident services require at least 30 days of remaining Iqama validity.
• Your passport should have at least 90 days of validity.
• Any eligible violations or government dues should be settled, otherwise issuance may be blocked.
• Have a working electronic payment method ready to pay the fee.

How to apply through Absher (residents)

Most residents who manage their own affairs can issue the visa directly:

• Log in to أبشر Individuals.
• Go to My Services → Passports → Visa Services → Issue Exit/Re-Entry Visa.
• Confirm your Iqama and passport details.
• Select single or multiple entry and choose the duration.
• Review the displayed fee, pay through the available electronic channel, and issue the digital visa.

Once issued, the visa is stored electronically and linked to your record, so there is no need for a stamp in your passport.

How to apply through Muqeem (employers)

If your visa is issued by your employer, the process runs through the مقيم portal:

• The employer logs in and opens Resident Management.
• They select the resident from the list.
• They choose issue exit/re-entry visa, pick single or multiple and the duration, then complete payment and issuance.

Whether employer approval is required can vary by worker category and the way the service is configured. The eligibility screen on the platform at the time of issuance is what ultimately controls, so always follow what appears on screen.

Validity periods you should know

Understanding validity helps you avoid overstaying abroad:

• Single-entry visas generally start with a maximum of 2 months.
• Multiple-entry visas generally start with a maximum of 3 months.
• In all cases, the period cannot exceed your eligible Iqama validity.

Plan your travel dates so you return well within the visa window and before your Iqama expires.

Extending your visa from abroad

If your plans change while you are outside the Kingdom, eligible residents can apply to extend the visa electronically through أبشر or مقيم. Keep in mind:

• The beneficiary must be outside Saudi Arabia at the time of the extension.
• The underlying residency and sponsorship conditions must still be valid.
• Additional-month charges for extensions may be SAR 200 for single-entry and SAR 400 for multiple-entry visas.

Checking status and the difference from final exit

You can check your visa status anytime through أبشر's exit/re-entry visa status service or the relevant مقيم record. This is useful to confirm the exact start and end dates before you fly.

Finally, do not confuse this with a final-exit visa. A final exit is for those permanently leaving the Kingdom, and it does not permit return using the same visa. If you intend to come back, always issue an exit and re-entry visa.

Because fees and eligibility rules can be updated, always review the fee and conditions shown on the official platform at the moment of issuance, and confirm any details on أبشر or مقيم.

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