Saudi Arabia is home to millions of expatriates who live and work across sectors including engineering, construction, healthcare, finance, education, hospitality, and logistics. For those who live long-term inside the Kingdom, travel is not as simple as buying a plane ticket. Foreign residents must hold a valid document known as the Saudi Exit and Re-Entry Visa before temporarily leaving the country, and their legal status must be in order when they return. Understanding how this visa works is essential for anyone living in Saudi Arabia under a work-based residency permit.
The Saudi exit and re-entry visa is much different from, for example, a Umrah visa, where an individual can use it multiple times.
Before planning travel, residents and employers should review relevant regulations and Saudi visa requirements. Official resources, such as the Saudi Visa OFFICIAL page, provide updated guidance on documents, categories, timing, and fees. Because violations may result in fines or difficulty returning, it is critical to follow every step correctly.
What Is a Saudi Exit and Re-Entry Visa?
The Saudi Exit and Re-Entry Visa is a special type of authorization required for expatriate workers who live in Saudi Arabia and wish to leave temporarily and return later. Unlike tourist or family visit visas, this type of visa applies only to residents who already hold an Iqama, which is the official Saudi residency card. Without an exit and re-entry visa, a foreign resident cannot legally depart the country, and attempting to leave without it may result in denied boarding at the airport or immigration complications.
The exit and re-entry visa protects both the employer and the state by ensuring that workers leave with proper authorization and intend to return under their existing sponsorship.
Who Needs This Visa?
Any foreign national living in Saudi Arabia under a work visa or long-term residency permit must obtain an exit and re-entry visa before leaving the Kingdom, unless they are permanently ending their residency and have been granted a final exit visa instead. This includes a wide range of residents, such as engineers, physicians, teachers, accountants, construction staff, technicians, cleaners, consultants, and corporate employees.
Family members living in Saudi Arabia as dependents under a worker’s Iqama must also obtain an exit and re-entry visa if they leave the country temporarily.
Sponsorship and Employer Responsibility
Saudi Arabia’s immigration system operates under sponsorship, meaning every foreign resident must be linked to a Saudi sponsor, typically the employer. For workers, the employer is responsible for requesting the exit and re-entry visa on behalf of the employee. Residents cannot normally issue this type of visa independently unless they have specific legal control over their residency status.
The employer initiates the process digitally, using authorized government systems to request permission. Approval is typically provided electronically once all conditions are met, including renewal of the residency permit and payment of applicable Saudi visa fees.
Duration and Validity
Exit and re-entry visas come with a defined validity period. Some may allow a short trip lasting a few days or weeks, while others may permit several months abroad. Exceeding the validity period is considered an immigration violation. If a resident remains outside Saudi Arabia past the expiration date, they may lose their legal residency and must reapply for a new visa and sponsorship if they intend to return.
Residents should always plan their travel dates with enough time to return before expiration, especially when flying during peak seasons or when visa processing delays could occur.
Saudi Visa Requirements for Exit and Re-Entry Approval
Although Saudi Visa requirements vary depending on employment category, residency status, and family dependents, common criteria include:
- A valid Iqama (residency permit)
- No outstanding legal or governmental violations
- Valid passport with six months remaining
- Employer approval through internal authorization
- Payment of mandatory Saudi visa fees for issuance
- Completion of the online request process
If the residency permit is close to expiration, it may need to be renewed before an exit and re-entry visa is granted. Reviewing Saudi visa requirements in advance helps residents avoid last-minute delays.
Saudi Visa Fees for Exit and Re-Entry
Exit and re-entry visas are not issued for free. There are official Saudi visa fees that apply depending on length of validity and number of individuals included. Family dependents also require fee payment. Because fee amounts are subject to periodic change, residents should always verify updated costs through official resources before submitting a request.
Residents should also consider indirect expenses such as residency renewal payments, medical insurance validity, and passport renewal if necessary.
How to Apply for the Exit and Re-Entry Visa
The process is typically completed online. While the steps vary depending on whether employees are using internal HR channels or Saudi government portals, the general structure is consistent:
- Ensure that the Iqama (residency permit) is valid.
- Confirm that there are no outstanding legal or administrative issues attached to the residency file.
- Review updated Saudi visa requirements and Saudi visa fees to prepare documentation and payment.
- Have the employer submit the request electronically.
- Obtain official digital approval and download proof for travel.
Residents should carry printed and digital confirmation when traveling because some airlines request documentation prior to boarding.
What Happens if You Forget to Apply?
Some residents mistakenly assume that because they live legally in Saudi Arabia, they can leave freely. Without an exit and re-entry visa, a resident may experience:
- Refusal of boarding by the airline
- Denial of exit at immigration
- Loss of residency status if they leave without proper authorization
- Difficulty returning to Saudi Arabia
- Possible fines or employment consequences
This visa is therefore a mandatory safeguard that protects a resident’s legal status inside the Kingdom.
Final Exit vs. Exit and Re-Entry
Residents ending their employment permanently should not request an exit and re-entry visa. Instead, they must request a final exit visa. This document indicates that the residency and sponsorship relationship will end. Anyone who plans to return must do so under a new visa, new fees, and new sponsorship agreement.
Residents must speak clearly with their employer before leaving the Kingdom to determine which category applies.
Preparing for Travel
Before departing, residents should check:
- That the visa validity covers the entire travel period
- That Saudi visa fees have been paid
- That passports and Iqama cards are valid
- That they are carrying printed digital authorization
- That their return flight is scheduled before expiration
Travelers who fail to prepare often face issues only when they arrive at the airport, which is too late to fix the problem.
Final Guidance
For expatriates living in Saudi Arabia, the Exit and Re-Entry Visa is not optional — it is the legal mechanism that allows temporary international travel while maintaining residency. To avoid stress, residents must review Saudi visa requirements before travel, verify Saudi visa fees that apply, and work with their employer early.
The best starting point is always the official Saudi Visa homepage, where policies are updated for public reference. Anyone leaving Saudi Arabia under sponsorship should follow these steps carefully to ensure a smooth departure and return without risking their legal status.
