If you live in Saudi Arabia on an iqama, you cannot simply travel abroad and return without an exit and re-entry visa. This document tells the authorities that you are leaving the Kingdom temporarily and plan to come back before your permit expires. The good news is that the whole process is now digital and can be completed in minutes, without a visit to any government office. In this guide, Saudi Living walks you through who can apply, the channels you use, the current fees, and how validity and extensions work.
Who can apply and the basic requirements
The exit and re-entry visa is always initiated by the sponsor — that is, your employer for workers, or the head of household for family members and domestic workers. If you are an employee, your company's authorised representative usually handles this, while heads of household manage visas for their dependents themselves.
Before the visa can be issued or extended, the following must be in order:
- A valid iqama (residency permit) for the person travelling.
- A valid passport.
- No outstanding traffic violations, fines, or unpaid dues linked to the record.
If any of these are unresolved, the system will typically block issuance until they are cleared.
Where to apply: Absher and Muqeem
There are two main electronic channels, and you never need to submit paper forms:
- Absher — used by individuals and sponsors (including heads of household) to issue exit and re-entry visas directly from their account.
- Muqeem — used by companies to issue and manage exit and re-entry visas for their employees in bulk.
You can also check the validity of an existing exit and re-entry visa through either Absher or Muqeem at no cost, which is handy before booking flights.
Single vs. multiple exit and re-entry visas
Choosing the right type saves you money and hassle:
- Single exit and re-entry visa — allows you to leave and return once. Its base validity covers up to 2 months from the date of issue.
- Multiple exit and re-entry visa — allows several trips out of and back into the Kingdom, with a base validity of up to 3 months.
As a rule, the multiple visa suits frequent travellers or anyone expecting more than one trip, while the single visa is more economical for a one-off journey.
The official fees in 2026
The binding government fee structure is based on a base fee plus per-month additions:
- Single exit and re-entry: SAR 200 base fee covering up to 2 months, then SAR 100 per additional month when extended inside Saudi Arabia (up to iqama expiry).
- Multiple exit and re-entry: SAR 500 base fee covering up to 3 months, then SAR 200
If the visa is extended while you are already outside Saudi Arabia, the rate changes: SAR 200 and SAR 400
On top of the government fees, Absher applies a service fee for certain transactions — for example, the exit/re-entry extension transaction carries a fee of SAR 103.50, and final exit visa processing carries a fee of SAR 70.00 (with no separate government charge for the exit authorisation itself).
You may see simplified summaries floating around — for instance, roughly SAR 100 for 30 days, SAR 200 for 90 days, SAR 300 for six months, or SAR 400 for a one-year multiple visa. Treat these as rough guides only; the binding structure is always the SAR 200/500 base plus the per-month additions above. Always confirm the exact amount shown in Absher before you pay.
Understanding validity and extensions
Validity always runs from the date of issue, and no exit and re-entry visa can extend beyond the expiry of your iqama. That is a firm ceiling — if your iqama expires soon, renew it first, then issue or extend your travel visa.
- Plan your travel dates so your return falls comfortably within the visa period.
- If your plans change while abroad, extensions are possible but cost more
- Always re-check validity in Absher or Muqeem before flying back, especially if there were any delays.
Quick tips before you travel
- Clear all fines and dues well before your travel date to avoid last-minute blocks.
- Match the visa type to your real travel pattern — a multiple visa can be cheaper overall if you travel often.
- Confirm your iqama expiry, since it caps the visa period.
- Keep a screenshot of the issued visa and its validity dates.
For the most up-to-date fees and any procedural changes, always rely on the official figures displayed in Absher or Muqeem at the moment of your transaction, as these are the authoritative source.
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