Saudi Arabia Reportedly Lifts Three-Year Ban on Expatriates Returning After Expiry of Exit and Reentry Visa

Riyadh - The General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) has reportedly instructed all departments and land, sea, and air ports to allow the entry of expatriates who failed to return before the expiry of their exit and reentry visa. While reports from Okaz, Al Watan, and Saudi Gazette quote different sources confirming this development, there has been no official confirmation or declaration on the Jawazat or Ministry of Interior (MOI) websites.

According to these reports, Jawazat lifted the existing three-year ban on foreign workers who left the Kingdom on an exit and reentry visa but failed to return before its expiry. The new directive came into force on Tuesday, Jan. 16.

The ban was initially enforced following demands made by businessmen who sought to prevent the reentry of workers who did not return within the valid period specified in their exit and reentry visas. These demands were based on a decision by the Council of Ministers not allowing workers who did not come back on time to return. Businessmen argued that such actions incurred financial losses for them in terms of fees for residency permit (iqama) renewal, work permits, and return tickets for these workers prior to their departure. They also noted that workers' failure to return punctually could lead them to terminate contracts, thereby harming their interests and affecting employment market stability.

The Jawazat's directive also reiterated certain conditions for issuing an exit and re-entry visa: payment of all outstanding traffic violation fines; absence of any violations resulting in non-cancellation of a previously issued but unused visa; absence of a valid visa; presence within Saudi Arabia's territory by individuals intended to receive the visa.

Additionally, the conditions include a passport validity of 90 days or more and the presence of the intended visa recipient's fingerprint.

While Mediaone could not directly verify this news, it is important to note that this report is based on information published by local newspapers. Official confirmation from Jawazat or MOI is still awaited.