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

If you hold a valid iqama and need to travel outside the Kingdom and return, you'll need an exit and re-entry visa. The good news is that the whole process is now fully electronic — there's no need to visit a passport office in normal cases. In this Saudi Living guide, we explain who qualifies, the visa types and 2026 fees, the prerequisites, and how to apply and extend step by step.

Who Needs an Exit and Re-Entry Visa?

The visa applies to residents holding a valid iqama who wish to leave Saudi Arabia and return without losing their residency. A key rule to remember: your iqama must remain valid for the entire duration of the visa. If your iqama expires before the visa does, the visa cannot cover the full period, so renew your iqama first if it's close to expiry.

The service also covers family members and domestic workers under your sponsorship, as well as employees whose visas are managed through their employer or sponsor.

Where to Apply

There are two main official channels, both electronic:

• أبشر (Absher) Individuals — residents can issue or extend visas for themselves, their dependents, and domestic workers through the Passports / Visas / Exit and Re-Entry services.
• Employer or sponsor e-services — for employees, the sponsor issues the visa through integrated employer platforms (of the مقيم type).

In normal cases, there is no paper application at the passport office.

Prerequisites Before You Apply

• A valid and updated iqama.
• A valid passport for the person travelling.
• The beneficiary must be physically inside Saudi Arabia when the visa is issued.
• No outstanding traffic violations or security/absconding reports that would block issuance.
• A registered digital ID and an active mobile number to receive the OTP and status messages.

Visa Types and 2026 Fees

There are two standard types:

• Single exit and re-entry visa: base fee of 200 SAR for up to 2 months (60 days), allowing one departure and one return.
• Multiple exit and re-entry visa: base fee of 500 SAR for up to 3 months (90 days), allowing unlimited trips within the validity. In many cases the same 500 SAR applies whether the initial multiple visa is issued for 3 or 6 months.

In practice, single visas are commonly issued for up to 6 months total, while multiple visas are often issued for 6–12 months — and in some employer-managed cases extended up to around a total of two years. In all cases the duration is capped by your iqama validity and prevailing passport department rules.

Extending Your Visa

If you need more time, you can extend electronically. The monthly extension fees published for 2026 are:

• Single visa, inside the Kingdom: 100 SAR up to iqama expiry.
• Single visa, from outside the Kingdom: 200 SAR
• Multiple visa, inside the Kingdom: 200 SAR up to iqama expiry.
• Multiple visa, from outside the Kingdom: 400 SAR

A separate processing/transaction fee of around 103.50 SAR may apply Always confirm the exact amount shown on screen before you pay.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply via Absher

1. Log in to أبشر Individuals using your credentials and نفاذ verification.
2. Go to the Passports / Visas / Exit and Re-Entry service.
3. Select the beneficiary (yourself, a dependent, or a domestic worker).
4. Choose the visa type (single or multiple) and the duration.
5. Review the fee shown and confirm the details.
6. Pay the fee, then download or print the visa confirmation.

Important Update: The Old Re-Entry Ban Is Gone

Previously, residents who stayed outside the Kingdom after their exit and re-entry visa expired faced a three-year re-entry ban. That ban has been removed. Nonetheless, overstaying can still create complications, so plan your travel around the visa and iqama validity, and extend electronically before the visa lapses if you need extra time. For the latest fees and any procedural updates, always confirm through Absher or the relevant official Saudi government portal.

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