Saudi Arabia has officially lifted the three-year entry ban on expatriates who failed to return to the Kingdom before the expiry of their visas. The General Directorate of Passports issued a notification, instructing all relevant departments and employers to allow the re-entry of expatriates who did not return within the stipulated time frame.
This move marks the end of the Kingdom’s previous practice of imposing a three-year ban on individuals who overstayed their visas. Expatriates holding a re-entry visa are still required to adhere to the visa’s specified timeframe under the country’s rules. Failure to do so will necessitate the acquisition of a new visa by their employers.
According to reports from the Okaz newspaper, expatriates now have the opportunity to enter the Kingdom with a new visa, regardless of their previous employment status. Following the issuance of a new visa, individuals can extend its duration through the Abshar or Aqama systems.
The decision to lift the entry ban reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering a more flexible and accommodating immigration policy. This move is expected to benefit expatriates seeking to return to the Kingdom, providing them with an avenue to rectify their visa status and resume their activities within the country.