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

If you're a resident or dependant in Saudi Arabia and you need to travel abroad, you'll need an exit and re-entry visa before you leave. The good news is that the entire process is electronic, quick, and can be completed in minutes without visiting any office. In this Saudi Living guide, we explain how the visa works, who issues it, the fees involved, and how to extend it if your plans change.

What is an exit and re-entry visa?

An exit and re-entry visa is the official permit that allows a resident (iqama holder) or a dependant to leave the Kingdom and return within a set validity period without losing their residency status. It is issued electronically and linked to your iqama, so you don't need any paper document to travel.

There are two main types:

• Single exit and re-entry visa: allows one departure and one return.
• Multiple exit and re-entry visa: allows unlimited departures and returns within its validity period — ideal for frequent travellers.

Who issues the visa and through which channel?

The visa is always issued by the sponsor or employer, not by the traveller directly. The two official channels are:

• أبشر (Absher): used by individual sponsors to issue, cancel, or extend visas for family members and domestic workers.
• مقيم (Muqeem): used by companies and employers to issue and manage exit and re-entry visas for their workers.

As of 2026, no other platform is required specifically for exit and re-entry visa issuance — the core channels remain Absher and Muqeem.

Requirements before you apply

To ensure the visa is issued smoothly, make sure the following conditions are met:

• A valid iqama (residence permit) for the sponsored person.
• No unpaid traffic fines or outstanding security issues under either the sponsor or the sponsored person.
• Passport validity of usually at least 3 months beyond the intended travel date.
• The sponsored person must be physically present inside the Kingdom at the time of issuance.

Fees for a single exit and re-entry visa

The single visa is the most common choice for one-off trips. The standard fee pattern in 2026 is:

• Base fee: 200 ريال سعودي for up to 2 months (60 days).
• Extension inside Saudi Arabia: 100 ريال سعودي for each additional month, up to the iqama expiry date.
• Extension from outside Saudi Arabia: 200 ريال سعودي.
• Entries allowed: one departure and one return.

The initial validity is 2 months, extendable month by month until your iqama expires. When the duration is expressed in months, remember that your travel must begin within the allowed window from the issuance date.

Fees for a multiple exit and re-entry visa

If you travel often, the multiple visa is more economical over time:

• Base fee: 500 ريال سعودي for up to 3 months (90 days), with unlimited entries during the validity period.
• Some employers issue the multiple visa for 6 months at the same 500 ريال سعودي base fee, again with unlimited entries.
• Extension inside Saudi Arabia: 200 ريال سعودي.
• Extension from outside Saudi Arabia: 400 ريال سعودي.

Total validity for multiple visas typically ranges from 3 months up to 12 months, with further extensions possible up to the iqama expiry date if the sponsor approves.

How to apply step by step

• Log in to أبشر (for family sponsors) or have your employer log in to مقيم.
• Select the sponsored person from the list of dependants or workers.
• Choose the visa type — single or multiple — and the desired duration.
• Confirm the details and pay the applicable fee through the platform.
• The visa is activated electronically and linked to the iqama automatically.

Practical tips before you travel

• Clear any traffic fines in advance — an outstanding fine can block issuance.
• Double-check that your return falls within the visa's validity to avoid penalties or residency complications.
• If your travel is delayed, extend the visa before it expires rather than letting it lapse.
• Fees and validity rules can change, so always confirm the latest figures directly on the Absher or Muqeem portal before paying.

With a valid iqama and a fine-free record, issuing an exit and re-entry visa in Saudi Arabia is one of the simplest e-government tasks you'll handle — usually done in just a few minutes from your phone or laptop.

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