Saudi Final Exit vs Exit Re-entry Visa: What Is the Difference?
Expats in Saudi Arabia need an exit visa to leave the country. There are two main types, and choosing the wrong one can cause serious problems.
Exit re-entry visa
- For travelling out of Saudi Arabia and coming back, for example on annual leave.
- Your Iqama and job stay active.
- It has a set validity; you must return before it expires.
- For workers it is usually issued by the employer through Muqeem or Absher Business. Heads of family can issue it for dependants through Absher.
Final exit visa
- For leaving Saudi Arabia permanently.
- Your residency is cancelled once you exit.
- Your employer normally issues it after your contract ends.
- After it is issued you must leave within its validity period.
Before a final exit
- Collect your end-of-service award; see our Saudi gratuity calculator.
- Get paid for unused leave and any overtime.
- Settle bank loans, credit cards, phone contracts and traffic fines.
- Get your experience certificate.
- Follow the final settlement checklist.
If your employer will not issue your exit
Recent labour reforms give workers more mobility, including in some cases the ability to request an exit visa themselves through Absher after notifying the employer. If you are having problems, contact the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (hrsd.gov.sa) or your embassy.
اردو خلاصہ
ایگزٹ ری انٹری ویزا چھٹی پر جا کر واپس آنے کے لیے ہوتا ہے اور اقامہ چلتا رہتا ہے۔ فائنل ایگزٹ مستقل طور پر سعودی عرب چھوڑنے کے لیے ہے۔ فائنل ایگزٹ سے پہلے گریجویٹی، چھٹیوں کے پیسے لیں اور قرض اور جرمانے صاف کریں۔