Saudi Arabia Lifts 3 Year Ban On Expatriates Who Failed To Return: Report

Saudi Arabia lifted the tree-year ban on expatriates who did not return before the expiry of their visas, as reported by local media. According to Okaz, Saudi newspaper, the General  Directorate of Passport (Jawazzat) has instructed all departments to allow expatriates re-entry visas. As per the report, the directive came into effect on Tuesday, January 16.

In 2022, Saudi General Directorate of Passport said that expatriate with re-entry visa must return to the country within the specified time mentioned in the visa, or else new visa must be issued by the employer. It was also said that the phrase “exited and did not return” will be added to record of any of the expatriate who failed to return before visa expiry date.

Earlier, the ban was reportedly issued following demands made by businessmen to prevent the entry of those who did not return within the said period of time. The businessmen’s demand was based on the decision of the Council of Ministers which was not to allow the return of workers wo did not come back.

The businessmen in Saudi Arabia noted that the such acts of the workers has incurred financial losses on the former in terms of the fees for the renewal of their residency permits, work permits and return tickets of the workers before their departure. It was also noted that workers’ failure to return on time has caused the businessmen to terminate contract with them and thus harmed their interests and affecting the stability of the employment market.

Jawazzat also noted that certain conditions must be followed by the workers for the exit and re-entry visas to be issued. The conditions are: the workers must pay all the outstanding traffic violation fines, there should be no violation that resulted in not canceling a previously issued and unused visa. The workers does not a valid visa. 90 days or more validity to the workers’ passport and presence of fingerprint to whom the visa is to be issued.