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

If you live and work in Saudi Arabia as a resident, you'll need an exit and re-entry visa any time you plan to leave the country and return while your iqama is still valid. It's a straightforward electronic process, but the fees, durations, and eligibility rules can be confusing the first time. In this guide from Saudi Living, we walk you through the visa types, the current government and platform fees, who applies, and exactly how to complete the request online.

What is an exit and re-entry visa?

An exit and re-entry visa is the permit that allows a resident (or a dependant) to travel outside Saudi Arabia and return within a set period, without cancelling their iqama. It is different from a final exit visa, which is used when you are leaving the Kingdom permanently. There are two main types:

• Single exit and re-entry: lets you leave and return one time within the paid period.
• Multiple exit and re-entry: lets you travel in and out several times during the validity window.

Fees for 2026

The government fees depend on the type of visa and the number of months you request. As of 2026:

• Single exit and re-entry: SAR 200 covers up to 2 months, then SAR 100 for each additional month, up to your iqama expiry.
• Multiple exit and re-entry: SAR 500 covers up to 3 months, then SAR 200 for each additional month, up to your iqama expiry.

To give a clearer picture: a 4-month single visa costs SAR 400, and a 6-month multiple visa costs SAR 1,100. On top of the government fee, an electronic processing charge of SAR 103.50 is added as a separate line on SADAD when you extend an exit/re-entry visa through Absher (applied from January 2025).

Validity rules to know

A few rules matter when planning your trip:

• The visa is normally valid from your actual travel date, not from the day it was issued, within the period you paid for.
• The total validity can never go beyond your iqama expiry date. If your iqama expires soon, renew it first to get a longer visa window.
• You cannot hold two active exit/re-entry visas for the same person at the same time.

Who applies and where

Who submits the request depends on your status:

• Employees: the employer or sponsor (kafeel) applies through Absher Business or the Muqeem portal.
• Dependants (family members): the head of household applies through his personal Absher account.

Eligibility conditions

Before applying, make sure the following are in order:

• A valid iqama for the person travelling.
• No outstanding traffic violations or unpaid fines registered in Absher for the sponsor or beneficiary.
• Passport validity of at least 90 days, or longer than the visa period you request.
• No existing active exit/re-entry visa for that individual.

How to apply through Absher (for dependants)

If you are the head of household applying for a family member, the steps are simple:

• Log in to Absher (Individuals).
• Go to Services → Passports → "Exit/Re-Entry Visa".
• Select the dependant you want to issue the visa for.
• Choose single or multiple and set the duration in months.
• Review the details; the system calculates the fee automatically (for example, 2 months single = SAR 200; 4 months single = SAR 400; 6 months multiple = SAR 1,100).
• Pay the displayed government fee via SADAD or your bank channels. The visa is issued electronically once the payment posts.

How to apply through Absher Business or Muqeem (for employees)

For sponsored employees, the employer logs in to Absher Business or Muqeem, selects the worker, chooses the visa type and duration, confirms the details, and pays the fee through SADAD. Once payment is confirmed, the visa is linked to the employee's record and passport electronically — no printed sticker is needed, as passport control reads it from the system.

Practical tips before you travel

• Clear any traffic fines first, as they can block the request.
• Confirm your iqama is valid for the full period you want to travel.
• Apply a few days before your trip to avoid last-minute issues.
• Keep a screenshot or PDF of the issued visa for your records.

Fees and rules can change, so always confirm the latest figures and steps on the official Absher or Muqeem portals before paying. With a valid iqama and a clean record, most residents can complete the whole process in just a few minutes.

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