Saudi Arabia | New validity rules for exit visas

Saudi officials announced a resident’s identification must now be valid for a minimum of 30 days when requesting the issuance of a final exit visa.

Key Points:

• Residents whose permit had less than 30 days remaining could previously apply for an exit visa up until the day their permit expired.
• Now, applicants must renew residence permits before applying for an exit visa if a permit has less than 30 days remaining.
• The directorate indicated that if a resident’s identification is valid for more than 30 days but less than 60 days, a final exit visa can be issued and its duration will match the remaining validity of the resident’s identification.
• In addition, if the validity is 60 days or more, the final exit visa can still be issued, but its duration will be limited to 60 days.

Additional Information: Saudi Arabia intends to enhance immigration compliance and reduce overstays, ensuring foreign nationals leave the country before the expiration of their residency permits. Employers should take the new rules into account when managing resident permit renewals and exit visa applications.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

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