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

If you hold an iqama in Saudi Arabia and want to travel abroad, you generally cannot simply leave and come back — you first need a valid exit and re-entry visa. This document tells the authorities that you intend to travel and return within a set period while keeping your residency active. In this Saudi Living guide, we explain the two main types of exit and re-entry visas, their fees and validity, how extensions work whether you are inside the Kingdom or abroad, and the step-by-step process for applying online.

Single vs. multiple exit and re-entry visas

There are two main options, and choosing the right one depends on how often you plan to travel during the visa period.

• Single exit/re-entry visa: Base fee of 200 SAR, valid for an initial 2 months (60 days). It allows you to leave and return once.
• Multiple exit/re-entry visa: Base fee of 500 SAR, with a standard initial validity of 3 months (90 days). In practice it can be issued for 3 or 6 months while keeping the same 500 SAR base fee, and it allows multiple trips within the validity period.

Keep in mind that once a visa is issued, the fee is non-refundable, so choose the type that matches your travel plans before you pay.

Who applies for the visa

The applicant depends on your status:

• Workers: The employer or sponsor issues and extends the worker's exit and re-entry visa through the employer's online account.
• Dependants: If your family members are under your iqama, you as the resident sponsor apply for their visas through your individual online account.

If you are an employee and need to travel, coordinate with your HR department or sponsor early, since they control the issuance.

Extension fees inside and outside the Kingdom

If your travel runs longer than the initial validity, you can extend the visa. The per-month cost differs based on whether you extend from inside Saudi Arabia or from abroad.

• Inside the Kingdom — single visa: 100 SAR
• Inside the Kingdom — multiple visa: 200 SAR
• From abroad — single visa: 200 SAR
• From abroad — multiple visa: 400 SAR

As you can see, extending while still inside the Kingdom is generally cheaper, so it is worth arranging your visa carefully before you travel.

Service fee and how to pay

In addition to the visa fees above, online extension transactions carry a processing/service fee of 103.50 SAR per exit/re-entry visa extension transaction, effective from January 2025. This appears as a separate SADAD line when you complete the transaction.

All issuance and extension fees are paid electronically through SADAD bill payment via your local bank. Once you submit the request online, a payment bill is generated, and you settle it through your bank's app, online banking, or an ATM. The visa is typically activated after the payment clears.

How to apply step by step

The exact screens differ slightly for individuals and employers, but the overall flow is similar:

• Log in to the relevant official online channel — the national e-services portal for individual residents, or the employer's online account for companies.
• Select the exit and re-entry visa service and choose the person (yourself, a dependant, or a worker).
• Choose the visa type — single or multiple — and the duration you need.
• Review the details, confirm the request, and generate the SADAD payment bill.
• Pay the fees through your bank, then check that the visa status is active before you travel.

The same portals also let you submit inquiries and complaints about the exit and re-entry visa service if something does not go through as expected.

Tips before you travel

• Make sure your iqama and passport are valid well beyond your planned return date.
• Confirm the visa is issued and active before booking non-refundable tickets.
• If your trip may run long, consider a multiple or longer-validity visa upfront to avoid higher extension costs from abroad.
• For workers, request the visa from your sponsor with enough lead time.

Fees, validity periods, and service charges can be updated by the authorities, so always confirm the current figures on the relevant official Saudi government portal before you pay. Planning ahead is the easiest way to keep your travel smooth and your residency in good standing.

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