Increased visa fees to take effect Oct. 2

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Saudi Arabia’s increased visa fees will take effect Sunday.

What does the change mean? Visa applicants across categories will be subjected to the higher fees. The fee for a single-entry visit visa fee will increase to 2,000 Saudi riyals (about US$532) and new rates for multi-entry and exit re-entry visas be imposed based on duration of validity.

• Implementation time frame: Oct. 2.
• Visas/permits affected: All visit visas; exit and re-entry visas.
• Who is affected: All visitors, foreign employees and their dependents.
• Business impact: Saudi employers and expatriate employees should budget for the new government fees.

The new government visa fee schedule will be as follows:

Background: As BAL reported in August, government fees are consistent with Vision 2030, a 15-year economic plan to make the economy less oil-dependent and increase revenues in other areas, including through immigration fees.

BAL Analysis: The government visa fees increase the costs of sending expatriate workers to Saudi Arabia, and businesses should figure the new costs into their budgets.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Saudi Arabia. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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