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

Oct 30, 2026•4 min read

If you hold an iqama and plan to travel outside Saudi Arabia and return, you'll usually need an exit and re-entry visa before you leave. The good news is that the whole process is now electronic: residents can issue it themselves in minutes, and employers can issue it for their workers online. In this guide, سعودي ليفنج walks you through the types of visa, the fees, who applies, the requirements, and how to handle extensions and cancellations.

Single vs. Multiple Exit and Re-Entry Visa

There are two main types, and your choice depends on how many trips you expect to take during the validity period.

Single exit and re-entry visa: SAR 200, valid for up to 2 months. This lets you leave and return one time.
Multiple exit and re-entry visa: SAR 500, valid for up to 3 months. This allows several trips in and out during the validity window.

If you travel frequently, the multiple-entry option often works out better value than issuing several single visas.

How Residents Apply Through Absher

Most residents issue the visa themselves. The steps are straightforward:

Sign in to أبشر Individuals using نفاذ.
Go to Services → Passports → Visa Services → Exit and Re-Entry Visa.
Choose the resident (yourself or a dependent you sponsor).
Select single or multiple entry and the validity period.
Pay the displayed fee through SADAD or the available bank-payment channel.
Issue the visa electronically — it's linked to your record immediately.

How Employers Apply

For employees sponsored by a company, the establishment's authorized user handles the request:

Log in to مقيم or Absher Business.
Select the worker.
Pay the fee.
Issue the visa electronically.

If you're an employee, it's worth confirming with your HR or government-relations officer whether they issue it for you or whether you can request it yourself.

Family Members and Domestic Workers

As a sponsor, you can issue the exit and re-entry visa for your dependents and domestic workers through the dedicated government service for dependents. The process mirrors the individual flow: select the person, pay the fee, and issue the permit electronically.

Requirements Before You Apply

To avoid a rejected request, make sure the following are in order:

A valid iqama.
A valid passport — generally with at least 6 months' validity when requesting the permit.
Payment of the government fees.
No active travel restrictions or blocks on your record.
Compliance with Jawazat (passports authority) conditions.

Fees, Extensions, and Validity

Beyond the core fees, you may need to extend your visa if your plans change:

Additional months while inside Saudi Arabia: charged at the lower rate
Additional months while outside Saudi Arabia: charged at a higher rate so it's cheaper to extend before you leave.
An extension processing fee of SAR 103.50 applies in addition to the visa fee.

Keep in mind that the visa is valid only until the electronically issued expiry date. The date shown in أبشر or مقيم is what controls your travel — not the number of months on paper. Always check it before booking flights.

Cancelling a Visa

You can cancel an issued exit and re-entry visa, but cancellation does not automatically refund the fee you paid. Before cancelling, verify the refund status through the payment or Absher channel so you know exactly what to expect.

Final Tips

Fees and specific month rates can change, so always confirm the exact amount shown on the official portal at the time you apply. Issue your visa a few days before travel to leave room for any issues, and double-check that your passport validity and iqama status won't cause delays at the airport. For the most current figures and any procedural updates, rely on the official Saudi government portals — أبشر for individuals and مقيم for employers.

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