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

If you hold a valid iqama and plan to travel abroad and come back to the Kingdom, you'll need an exit and re-entry visa before you leave. It's a routine part of life for residents in Saudi Arabia, and today most of the process happens online in a few minutes. In this سعودي ليفنج guide, we walk you through who can issue it, the conditions, the fees, and how extensions work if your plans change while you're outside the country.

What is an exit and re-entry visa?

An exit and re-entry visa is the official permit that lets a resident leave Saudi Arabia and return without cancelling their residency. It is issued by the General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) for holders of a valid iqama. There are two main types:

• Single exit and re-entry — allows you to leave once and return once within the paid period.
• Multiple exit and re-entry — allows several trips out of and back into the Kingdom during the total paid period, as long as your iqama stays valid.

Where to apply

The service is fully electronic. The channel you use depends on your situation:

• أبشر (Individuals): residents use this to issue exit/re-entry visas for their dependents and domestic workers, and in some cases to self-issue if eligible.
• أبشر (Business) / مقيم: employers and sponsors use these platforms to issue, cancel, and extend exit/re-entry visas for their employees.

The unified government services portal also lists issuance of exit/re-entry or final exit visas as an e-service for family members and domestic workers.

Eligibility and conditions

Before you apply, make sure you meet the basic requirements:

• Your iqama must be valid for the entire duration of the requested visa.
• The traveler's passport must be valid — typically at least 90 days beyond the intended travel date.
• There should be no outstanding traffic violations or security restrictions blocking travel under the iqama holder.
• For many employees, at least 12 months of service with the current employer is required to use self-service issuance; otherwise, employer approval is needed.

Fees for residents inside the Kingdom

Fees are calculated based on the type of visa and the number of months requested, up to the iqama expiry.

Single exit and re-entry:

• Base fee: 200 SAR for up to 2 months, single entry.
• Each additional month (or part of a month) up to iqama expiry: +100 SAR per month.

Multiple exit and re-entry:

• Base fee: 500 SAR for up to 3 months, multiple entry.
• Each additional month (or part of a month) up to iqama expiry: +200 SAR per month.

For a visa specified in months, the visa remains valid for travel (to leave the Kingdom) for 3 months from issuance; once you depart, the stated stay period begins. Always confirm the exact amount shown at checkout on أبشر, as fees are tied to your specific dates.

Extending a visa while you're abroad

If your plans change and you need more time outside Saudi Arabia, an extension can be arranged — but it must be initiated electronically by your sponsor or employer through أبشر (Business) or مقيم.

Note that extending while outside the Kingdom effectively costs double the in-country rate per month:

• Single-entry extension: 200 SAR per additional month (instead of 100 SAR).
• Multiple-entry extension: 400 SAR per additional month (instead of 200 SAR).

Extension is only possible while your iqama remains valid — the visa can never extend beyond the iqama expiry date. So if your residency is close to expiring, coordinate renewal first.

Practical tips before you travel

• Check your iqama and passport validity well ahead of your trip.
• Clear any traffic fines or restrictions that could block travel.
• Issue the visa a few days early to avoid last-minute issues at the airport.
• If you are an employee without 12 months of service, arrange employer approval in advance.
• Keep a copy of the visa confirmation on your phone.

For the latest fees, rules, and any refund or cancellation conditions, always confirm on the official government portals — أبشر and مقيم — before you complete your application.

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