Expatriate residents in Saudi Arabia require an exit and re-entry visa for temporary departures from the Kingdom. This type of visa can be obtained electronically through the Absher or Muqeem portals. The Saudi Arabian Passport Authority (Jawazat) has specified the minimum passport validity required for expatriates to obtain an exit and re-entry visa.
Minimum Passport Validity for Obtaining an Exit/Re-entry Visa
Jawazat requires that, for an exit and re-entry visa to be issued, the applicant's passport must have at least 90 days of remaining validity. Furthermore, the applicant's Iqama (residence permit) must also be valid.
Iqama Validity Requirements for Issuing an Exit/Re-entry Visa
To issue an exit and re-entry visa to Saudi Arabia, the minimum required validity of the Iqama varies depending on the situation. For self-employed individuals, the Iqama must be valid for at least three months beyond the visa's validity period. When an employer issues the visa, the Iqama must be valid beyond the return date. For dependents, the exit and re-entry visa can be issued up to seven days before the Iqama's expiration date. These requirements ensure that individuals and their dependents are eligible to travel to and return to Saudi Arabia within the designated visa period.
Other Requirements for the Exit/Re-entry Visa
Beyond the minimum passport validity, several other criteria must be met for the issuance of an exit and re-entry visa. Applicants must ensure they have no outstanding traffic fines, and visa fees must be paid using the applicant's Iqama number. The applicant must also be physically present in Saudi Arabia at the time of application. Furthermore, the issuance of an exit and re-entry visa requires applicants to register their fingerprints with the Jawazat system or have an active Absher account.
In summary,
Expatriate residents wishing to obtain an exit and re-entry visa must comply with the specific requirements established by Jawazat, including passport validity, Iqama validity, and other prerequisites such as the absence of traffic fines and the need to be in Saudi Arabia during the application process.
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