Riyadh — Jazwat, the General Directorate of Passports has announced expatriates from 19 countries facing temporary suspension of travel due to the covid19 pandemic will benefit from the recent decision to automatically extend the validity of residency permits (iqama) and exit and re-entry visas without charging expatriate levy or any other fees. Iqama and visa validity extended until March 31, 2022.
These countries include Turkey, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar, Angola, Seychelles, Mauritius, Comoros, and Nigeria.
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The Jawazat announced that it had started automatically extending the validity of iqama and; exit and re-entry visas of expatriates from countries facing a travel ban and who are now outside the Kingdom.
The Jawazat explained that the extension of visas would be carried out automatically; in cooperation with the National Information Center without personally visiting a Jawazat office.
The visa extension will not apply to expatriates who took one dose of the coronavirus vaccine; within the Kingdom before their departure on a re-entry visa.
The King’s directive also extends the validity of visit visas issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; for people outside the Kingdom and from countries facing travel bans due to the pandemic. Visas extended until March 31.
This visa extension facility is per the government’s continuing efforts to mitigate the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. It ensures precautionary measures and preventive protocols for the safety of citizens and expatriates.
