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

If you hold an iqama and want to travel outside Saudi Arabia and return without losing your residency, you'll need an exit and re-entry visa. The good news is that the entire process is now handled online, so there's no need to visit a passport office in person. This guide from سعودي ليفنج walks you through exactly how it works — the requirements, the steps, the fees, and the details that trip people up.

What is an exit and re-entry visa?

An exit and re-entry visa allows a resident (or their dependents and domestic workers) to leave the Kingdom and come back within a set period while keeping their iqama valid. It comes in two forms:

• Single exit/re-entry: lets you leave and return once during the validity period.
• Multiple exit/re-entry: lets you travel in and out several times during the validity period.

Visas are issued electronically through أبشر — either the individual platform (Absher Individual) if you can process it yourself, or the business platform (Absher Business) used by employers and sponsors.

Requirements before you apply

Before the system will issue the visa, a few conditions must be met:

• A valid iqama that covers the entire visa period.
• A passport valid for at least 90 days.
• No outstanding traffic fines or system blocks — أبشر checks this automatically and won't proceed if there's an issue.
• For workers, authorization from the sponsor or employer.
• For family dependents, authorization from the head of household.

How to apply step by step

Whether you're a resident applying for yourself or a sponsor applying on behalf of family or a worker, the flow is similar:

• Log in to أبشر using your iqama/National ID and password, or a one-time verification code.
• Go to My Services → Passports → Exit and Re-Entry Visa Services (also shown as Visa Requests).
• Choose the visa type: Single or Multiple entry.
• Select the traveler(s): yourself, a family member, or a domestic worker.
• Choose the validity period within the allowed range, making sure your iqama covers the full period.
• Review all details carefully and submit.
• Pay the fees through SADAD, Mada, credit/debit card, or another approved e-payment method.

Once paid, the visa is issued electronically and can be viewed or printed directly from أبشر. Immigration officers verify it electronically at the airport or border, so you don't need a physical stamp.

Single exit/re-entry visa fees and validity (2026)

For a single exit/re-entry visa, the fee structure is based on how many months of validity you need:

• Base fee: 200 ريال سعودي for up to 2 months.
• Each additional month — while the holder is still inside the Kingdom — costs 100 ريال سعودي per month, up to the iqama's expiry date.

Some worked examples based on the official schedule:

• 2 months: 200 ريال سعودي.
• 3 months: 300 ريال سعودي (200 + 100).
• 4 months: 400 ريال سعودي (200 + 100 + 100).

Note that some fee calculators show higher totals when the extra months are added in larger increments, so always confirm the exact amount shown in أبشر before you pay.

Important details to remember

• The visa's validity generally starts from your travel (departure) date, not the date you issued it — so you have flexibility to apply in advance.
• Make sure your iqama won't expire while you're abroad; the visa can only cover the period up to iqama expiry.
• If you're extending an additional month, do it while you're still inside the Kingdom to benefit from the standard per-month rate.
• Clear any fines or blocks first — the system won't issue the visa otherwise.

Because fees and processing rules can be updated, we always recommend confirming the current amounts and any changes directly on the official أبشر portal before applying. That way you'll travel with peace of mind, knowing your residency and return are fully covered.

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